Did you know we have a free weekly newsletter? You also get a monthly roundup of cute links and videos we’ve saved including character cafes, collabs, crafts and Japan. We’re also sharing the links section here on the blog, though subscribers will still get them first, plus lots of videos too.
- Every year I look forward to Makiko Itoh’s roundups of Christmas cakes from Japan. She’s been posting daily for a month already so go and enjoy all the incredible cakes from fancy hotels & artisan bakeries to chain store and character collabs. It’s only £1 to join her Patreon for bonus cakes, recipes and more Japan posts but the cake posts are free to read on Facebook too.
- Don’t miss the adorable Totoro Christmas cakes at Shiro Hige’s Cream Puff Factory too!
- I chose the Suica penguin cakes for the image because the saddest news of the year is that JR East are retiring the beloved mascot from their travel card. We fell in love with the Suica penguin during out first trip to Japan and even stayed at the hotel that makes the cakes. I’ll be treasuring my merch even more now and I really hope they change their mind on this.
- Godzilla’s Japanese socials have been revealing a set of Sanrio collab characters over the last few weeks. No word on merch yet but it has to be coming, right? Watch their online store for updates…
- Can you believe Chairokoguma/Kogumachan will already be celebrating his 10th anniversary in 2026? There’s a special new website where you can look back at the character’s history, download free wallpapers and more.
- It’s also somehow 20 years since Animal Crossing: Wild World was released. The AV Club takes a look back at how it changed the series.
- SoraNews24 check out a surprising collaboration between Pokémon and a hot spring bathhouse. The details are so fun with Pokeball mats, Geodude and Ditto sauna stones, Snorlax wash buckets and rubber Psyduckies!
- If you’re heading to Japan this month, Tokyo Weekender has guides to the best Tokyo Illuminations and Christmas Markets to visit.
- UK shoppers who still need ideas should have a browse of Merryn’s annual Christmas Gift Guide with over 1,400 gift ideas from over 100 amazing small and independent creators, makers and retailers from around UK and Ireland. (full disclosure – my shop is included!)
- Or Lily of Paraply has a thread of EU-based artists on Bluesky with lots of cute gift ideas.
- Little Twin Stars are Friend of the Month at Sanrio – download your free printable calendar and look out for some special content on their YouTube and socials.
- It’s a new month in Animal Crossing Pocket Camp Complete and if you’re stuck for inspiration for the current themes, have a look at our posts with custom designs and Arlandyia has a new seasonal guide for Winter & Christmas.
- New to our blog or not checked in for a while? The Best of Super Cute Kawaii is updated every month and collects our top posts including the most popular, our own favourites and original guides & DIYs.
- I also updated Our Favourite Kawaii Websites – adding some new faves and removing a bunch of broken links.
The first permanent Pokemon theme park, PokéPark KANTO, announced they’ll be opening ahead of schedule in February. It looks like they’ve found a really nice balance that matches the game so there’s rides, stage shows, parades and shops but also a big woodland area to explore. You can find out more on the website and keep an eye out for the next batch of tickets, as February & March are already sold out.
Read the full newsletter for 7 more fun videos and you can read all our previous issues there too. If you’re not subscribed, pop your email in the box below to get the next one in your inbox early next month.
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