Ichiba Archives – URBAN-ADVENTURER

July 8 2025

Book Release Event: Uketsu: Strange Houses

Urban Adventurer Book, Japan Book Launch, Book Lover, Horror Author, Horror Book, Ichiba, Japan Centre Ichiba, Japanese Author, Japanese Novelist, Japanese Writer, Mystery Book, Press Event, Pushkin Press, Strange Houses, Strange Pictures, Uketsu, Uketsu Strange Houses, Uketsu Strange Pictures 0

Following the roaring success of ‘Strange Pictures’, world-famous enigmatic Japanese author and YouTuber, Uketsu, has released their new mystery novel: ‘Strange Houses’.

Pushkin Press invited us to celebrate the publication of Uketsu’s next mystery sensation at Ichiba, Westfield.

@urbanadventurerldn

Any Uketsu fans out there? [BLOG POST IN BIO] 𝚄𝚔𝚎𝚝𝚜𝚞: 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚜 press event @Pushkin Press Following the roaring success of ‘Strange Pictures’, world-famous enigmatic Japanese author and YouTuber, Uketsu, has released their new mystery novel: ‘Strange Houses’ 🏚️ Uketsu is just as mysterious as their novels. Despite of his world fame, no one knows their true identity 🤫 On their social media channels, Uketsu always wears a grotesque white paper mâché mask and they digitally distorts their voice. They have no face, no name, just an enigmatic pseudonym: UKETSU which means “rain hole” in Japanese @Life4cuts is running a limited-time collaboration frame with Strange Houses. Don’t miss it if you’re an Uketsu fan! @雨穴 #uketsu #strangehouses #booklover #horrorbooks #japaneseauthor #japaneseculture #japanese #pressevent #CapCut

♬ Dark and mysterious trap beat Long Version(1561941) – Koko ni studio

Uketsu – The Mysterious Masked Writer

Uketsu - Strange Houses Press Event

Photo: Urban Adventurer

World-famous Japanese horror writer with millions of followers on social media is just as mysterious as their novels. Despite of his world fame, no one knows Uketsu’s true identity.

On their social media channels, they always wear a grotesque white paper mâché mask and they digitally distorts their voice. They have no face, no name, just an enigmatic pseudonym: UKETSU which means “rain hole” in Japanese.

Addictive Story Line that Involves the Reader to Solve the Mystery

Photo: Urban Adventurer

‘Strange Houses’ story line is revolving around the floorplan of a house a Japanese family want to buy. Both the husband and the wife fell in love with the house, and they have serious intention to buy it, but they discover a sinister ‘dead space’ on the floorplan. It’s a tiny hidden room with no windows or doors.

As the story goes further, other bizarre discoveries emerge. Somehow the whole floorplan, the positions of rooms, windows and doors look strange. If you thought a floorplan can never be creepy, think again!

The book has a narrator that investigates the house and its odd floorplan with the help of an architect. The story encourages the reader to actively participate in resolving the mystery by studying the floorplan and learning more about the family that built the house and their complex relationships and rivalries with each other throughout generations.

Unlike ‘Strange Pictures’ which tells multiple stories that eventually connect to each other and create a whole story, ‘Strange Houses’ has one story line. It allows the reader to follow the story of one family – that built the house – from the beginning to the end.

Translator of the book, Jim Rion said that Uketsu wants their story to be easily read and accessible to all readers. That’s why Jim Rion focused on keeping the same clarity when translating the book from Japanese to English language.

The chilling Japanese mystery sensation is finally available in English. Do you think you can discover the terrible truth behind the eerie floorplan?

Strange Houses x Life4Cuts

Strange Houses x Life4Cuts collab photo frame

Popular Korean photo booth, Life4Cuts, has teamed up with Pushkin Press to bring you a hauntingly beautiful collaboration.

For a strictly limited time only, you can step into the eerie world of the Japanese horror writer, Uketsu and enjoy the thrill outside the pages.

Whether you’re a long-time Uketsu fan or just started discovering the Uketsu universe, you’ll guaranteed enjoy this enigmatic experience.

Uketsu: Strange Houses book, bookmark, limited-edition pin badges and Life4Cuts collab photo frame

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Perfect for bookmark to enjoy the book with!

The collab frame is available between 3^rd July – 2^nd August 2025

Strange Houses Press Event

Photo: Urban Adventurer

‘Strange Houses’ press event was taken place at Japan Centre, Ichiba at Westfield Shopping Centre, hosted by Pushkin Press.

Special video from Uketsu for ‘Strange Houses’ Press Event in London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

At the beginning of the event, we had the unique opportunity to watch a special pre-recorded video by Uketsu made specifically for this event. In the video, Uketsu introduced their new book wearing their signature white mask and black outfit.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

We also had the opportunity to try themed cocktails and mocktails – the ‘Strange Drinks’ – made specifically for this event.

‘Dead Space Margarita’ was an ominous blue bend of Tequila, Blue Curacao and yuzu syrup, while ‘Rose-Tinted Dream’ was a dreamy pink mixture of coconut purée, lychee juice, cranberry juice, gekkaikan, alcohol-free Sake and a splash of caramel syrup.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Ichiba’s kitchen made the most creative sushi creations for us for this event. ‘Strange Sushi’ was a unique and surprising combination of Japanese and English flavours.

The vegetarian sushi contained a mix of vegetables and fermented red bean which had a very unique flavour and texture.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

At the end of the Press Event all participants received a goodie bag that contained a copy of the book, a ‘Strange Houses’ bookmark and two limited-edition pin badges.

Thank you for Pushkin Press for inviting me to this unique event!

Ready for your next adventure? If you love Japanese culture and food, you have to visit the UK’s first manga Matcha bar, Yoshoku. It’s just a 3 minutes walk for Piccadilly Circus station and has the coolest manga wallpapers, delicious and unique Matcha drinks, Japan’s viral Matcha Mount Fuji dessert and other Japanese-inspired food and drink. Yoshoku also in collaboration with Japan’s favourite lemonade brand, Lemonica.

May 12 2024

Free Sushi Demonstration and Tasting Event at Europe’s Largest Japanese Food Hall – Ichiba

Urban Adventurer Cool Activities, Experience on the go, Immersive Experience, Plant-Based, Pop Up, Summer, Things to Do, Unique Experience Free Events London, Ichiba, Ichiba Japan Centre London, Ichiba Westfield, Japan Centre London, Sushi Class, Sushi Class London, Sushi Demonstration, Sushi Lover, Sushi Masterclass London 0

Located within Westfield White City, Ichiba Japanese Food Hall is the largest Japanese food hall in Europe. As part of Japan Centre Group, Ichiba regularly host free workshops, tasting events and demonstrations.

@urbanadventurerldn

???? [BLOG POST IN BIO] We had a fantastic time at Ichiba Japan Centre’s free sushi demonstration & tasting event ???? Tomono san made a fabulous demonstration, explaining all the ins and outs of sushi making @Tomono Sushi Party ???? We also learnt about Japanese superfoods: fermented natto soy beans, umeboshi pickled plum and seaweed and also had a chance to taste them ???? Plus, we were lucky enough to be among the first 25 attendees to receive a complimentary bottle of Kikkoman soy sauce! ???? Interesting fact: Did you know that Kikkoman have used the exact same recipe for their soy sauce since the 17th century? ???? Learn more about the free events at Ichiba and Tomono Sushi Party ???? blog post in bio #sushilover #sushiclass #japanesefood #japancentrelondon #sushimaking #japanese #japaneseculture

♬ Japanese style music – kurenaidouke

Ichiba Japanese Food Hall

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Ichiba is the first joint venture between Japan Centre Group and Cool Japan Fund, a public private fund, part owned by the Japanese government.

With over 3,000 Japanese products, Ichiba is working together with the best authentic and artisan suppliers and farmers across Japan to bring the highest quality food, drink, homeware, unique gifts, bakery, and hard to find confectionary and sake to London.

Alongside Ichiba’s official partners, you can find Japan’s biggest brands, such as Kikkoman (famous for their soy sauce) and Gekkikan (well-known for their sake).

The theatrical kitchens dotted around Ichiba allow you to peek behind the scenes and witness how authentic Japanese food is created.

Within the food hall, there is a noodle bar, a sake & oyster bar, a mochi donut bar and a ramen bar, named Shoryu.

At Ueshima Coffee bar, you have a chance to try Japan’s No.1 coffee, as well as seasonal coffee specialities, such as Matcha or Cherry Blossom Lattes.

Free Workshops, Tasting Events and Demonstrations at Ichiba

Photo: Urban Adventurer

In partnership with Japan Centre Group, Ichiba regularly host free workshops, demonstrations and tasting events to promote Japanese food and culture overseas.

They host origami workshops, sushi demonstrations and tasting events, mochi pounding and onigiri tasting, just to name a few.

They also regularly run exciting collaborations with anime and gaming brands, such as Hatsune Miku or Persona 3 Reload by SEGA.

Keep an eye on their Instagram for their next events and special offers.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

This May we participated in a free sushi making demonstration and tasting event hosted by Tomono Sushi Party.

During the 45-minute long event we learnt about different types of sushi and Japanese superfoods: fermented natto soy beans, umeboshi pickled plum, seaweed and more.

We learnt how to make sushi rice from scratch and how to season it perfectly, how to roll a basic sushi roll and how to make different types of sushi.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

At the end of the demonstration, we had a chance to taste different types of sushi, fermented natto soy beans and umeboshi pickled plum.

We were lucky enough to be among the first 25 attendees to receive a complimentary bottle of Kikkoman soy sauce!

(Interesting fact: Did you know that Kikkoman have used the exact same recipe for their soy sauce since the 17^thcentury?)

About Tomono Sushi Party

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Tomono Sushi Party host fun sushi making demonstrations, masterclasses, and parties.

Founder, Tomono san, was born and raised in Japan and moved to the UK nearly 30 years ago.

She started her small business in 2022 with the aim to bring out the best from both cultures – Japanese food and British local ingredients – to create amazing dishes in a fun, easy and enjoyable way.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Tomono san strongly believes that nutritional education is a key factor in healthy and happy living. That’s why she does not just teach how to make sushi, but also explains the health benefits of the ingredients she is using during her classes.

Fancy a fun challenge?

Tomono Sushi Party host team building classes, kids sushi making workshops, and even birthday parties and hen parties!

Drop them an email to organise your tasty sushi event with them.

Ready for your next adventure? Chinatown bubble tea shop, Chatime UK has recently launched a collab with BT21. Two different drinks and limited-edition merch available. Plus, if you buy any drink in store, you can get massive discount on the merch!