If you have a deep and abiding love for bubble tea, you might want to start planning a trip to Japan soon: Tokyo Tapioca Land, a bubble tea-themed pop-up experience store, is opening in Tokyo's Harajuku neighborhood. Just a few weeks. According to Japanese news website Sora News 24, the colorful exhibition will have its grand opening on August 13 in a new shopping area called "The Well"; from then until September 16, visitors will enter a cassava-filled A dream world of themed food – with the highlight being, of course, bubble milk tea. (Despite the rise of other drinks like cheese tea, this classic bubble tea drink still reigns supreme.) Many people even describe Tokyo Tapioca Land as a "bubble tea theme park," which should give you an idea of what to expect from that place.
The term "theme park" is a bit loose, though. What we really focus on are interactive art installations that are all the rage in the age of Instagram. Think Ice Cream Museum, Rose Manor, Color Factory and more. The company behind Tokyo Cassava Land – Tokyo Photogenic Team – is no stranger to hosting events like this. They are also responsible for Tokyo Ice Cream Land, which ran for three days in Harajuku's neighboring Omotesando neighborhood in 2018, before touring more broadly across Japan, and Rainbow Sweets Land, which Operated for 3 days at Tokyo Solamachi Shopping Center near Tokyo Skytree. One week in May this year. Both previous events featured bright and whimsical sets and environments, perfect for letting your inner child loose and re-capturing your sense of wonder - and, of course, snapping a few photos. As they say, photos, or it didn't happen.
It's unclear what Tokyo Cassava Land will look like when it eventually opens, but based on concepts currently visible on the pop-up website, attractions could include places to sit and relax, a giant pop-art-style bubble tea sculpture, There's even a ball pit filled with boobies. The press release also states that "more than 10 photo booths" will be installed for all your Instagram needs, and of course, there will be plenty of bubble tea available for purchase: According to the press release, "many famous tapioca shops [will] be open ”, allowing you to “enjoy a variety of tapioca drinks and food” (BTW, all of this is very roughly translated via Google Translate, as all sources providing official information are naturally in Japanese. Attractions are also subject to change. , so please adjust your expectations accordingly).
Considering the colorful, over-the-top aesthetic prevalent at Tokyo's photogenic team events, it makes perfect sense that they would choose to hold one in Harajuku. The Tokyo neighborhood is famous for its place in Japanese youth culture and is home to all kinds of cute and sweet things, from fashion to food. (Ask about the ridiculous strawberry pancake I had there in May that had an entire cake stuck to it. It was ridiculous and I have absolutely no regrets about it.) While Tokyo Tapioca Land’s concept art looks better than Tokyo Ice Cream Land or Rainbow The Sweetland photos are a little more sophisticated, but there's no doubt that it still has the same playful quality that characterizes the Tokyo Photogenic team's other activities - if there's anywhere this environment can feel at home, it's in Harajuku.
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According to Eater, pre-sale tickets cost 1,000 yen (approximately $9.25) each, a slight discount, but have unfortunately sold out; however, same-day tickets can be purchased at the door for 1,200 yen each (approximately $11). You might still want to get in line early if you plan on going, though—the crowds are likely to be big.
Tokyo Cassava Land will be open from August 14 to September 16, 2019; in August, the opening hours are 10 am to 7 pm daily; in September, the opening hours are 1 pm to 7 pm on weekdays and weekends 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Tokyo Cassava Land website.
