Starbucks Coffee in Japan are introducing their new beverage Matcha S'more Frappuccino® on August 8. The drink is made with American summertime smores and rich matcha.   S'mores are a popular campfire and BBQ treat in the US and Canada that consists of fire-roasted marshmallows and chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers. Starbucks Japan first introduced a S'more Frappuccino® to branches last year and they were a huge success. This year, they're combining s'mores which maintain their great flavour and texture with full-bodied matcha and nonfat milk. This refreshing combination is the perfect summer beverage. It contains 1.5 times more matcha than the Matcha Cream Frappuccino® and is served with whipped cream. Together with the crunchy biscuit, crispy freeze-dried marshmallows and baked chocolate, you can enjoy layers upon layers of texture.   Be sure to pick up this Frapp this summer while in Japan to enjoy at the summer and firework festivals.  

Shin NakamiseShopping Street in Asakusa runs perpendicular to Nakamise Shopping Street, and it’s there that the new Japanese tea café Yanagi Chaya will open on July 6, 2018.   Asakusa is one of Japan’s most famous tourist destinations and is packed with tourists from both inside and outside of Japan every single day. Yanagi Chaya will open nearby Sensoji Temple which is a significant sightseeing spot for tourists, hailing as the oldest temple in Tokyo. The café’s ideal location means that those strolling around Asakusa can pop in for drinks and desserts.   The shop is positioned so it takes in a lot of light, so it’s nice and bright. It’s also spacious, giving it a welcoming vibe. Its simple wooden décor lets one feel at one with the warmth of nature while also being surrounded by that Japanese omotenashi, or ‘hospitable’ atmosphere. Uji Matcha Tiramisu - ¥600 Uji Matcha Rice Flour Dumplings - ¥790   The menu is packed full of matcha items. You could tuck into a boxed Uji matcha tiramisu which MACCHA HOUSE, another shop, is famous for and was even featured on news media. Or you could chew on some Uji matcha rice flour dumplings which are all individually handmade instore and made white syrup and a matcha paste created on site that mixes together strained bean paste and matcha. There’s plenty more on the menu too where that came from. Both the tiramisu and dumplings are something you’ll want a photo of. There’s also an original takeout matcha drink you can sip on which is made from a matcha called Tomo no Mori by Mori no Han who’ve been around since 1836. It’s served in Yanagi Chaya’s own bottles so you can take it around Asakusa with you as you explore the sites.   Yanagi Chaya should be put on your list of places to visit in Asakusa. Enjoy yourself some delicious matcha sweets.    

‘Shiroi Black Thunder’ (White Black Thunder) is a chocolate bar available only in Hokkaido. McDonald’s is releasing their new McFlurry Shiroi Black Thunder in collaboration with the product which will be available at McDonald’s branches across Japan from August 29.   McFlurry is a popular dessert at McDonald’s made with rich milky soft serve ice cream which is topped with various toppings and sauces. McDonald’s Japan has collaborated with numerous other brands for their McFlurrys. Shiroi Black Thunder is a white chocolate version of the popular chocolate bar Black Thunder and can only be bought in Hokkaido. This is the first time McDonald’s has collaborated with Black Thunder. The McFlurry Shiroi Black Thunder is made with rich and milky soft serve and contains the cocoa cookies and biscuit found in the chocolate bar. It’s also drizzled with a hardened white chocolate sauce. It has the same crunchiness as the Shiroi Black Thunder and sweetness of its white chocolate. It also comes in original packaging with the Shiroi Black Thunder logo on it. These are available in limited quantities.   Don’t miss out on this super rare collaboration!