Japan Post Service has teamed up with Pokémon to set up three postboxes with Pikachu, Eevee, and Piplup designs in Yokohama. They first opened on July 7, 2021 and will be available until June 30, 2022.

Yokohama is no stranger to Pokémon as it is the city that hosts the annual Pikachu Outbreak event, one which is set to return this year from August 7-13. It is also one of the cities taking part in the Poké Lid project to place Pokémon manhole covers across Japan.

And if you post your letter in the postbox pictured below, located in Yokohama Port Post Office, your envelope will be stamped with a special Pokémon stamp.

Matsuya Ginza opened its POKÉMON COLORS exhibition on July 22 which is set to run until August 11. The event is a kaleidoscope of bright colours and shapes of Pokémon and Pokémon motifs, with four activities and one installation to enjoy, as well as 160 original pieces of merchandise for fans to buy.

Logo mark

Art Deli Key Visual | ¥4,400

Pikachu Design Pouches – Assorted Pokémon Design Pouches | Small: ¥1,650 Each, Large ¥3,300 Each

Get your hands on a range of vivid and stylish Pokémon items, take photos at the many different photo spots dotted around the event, and learn the latest news about the Pokémon franchise.

Indigo dye art piece

Dangling from the first floor atrium is a 20-meter Pokémon art piece made by the dye group BUAISOU who used the traditional Japanese art of indigo dyeing to create it.

©2021 Pokémon. ©1995-2021 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
ポケットモンスター・ポケモン・Pokémonは任天堂・クリーチャーズ・ゲームフリークの登録商標です。

Jambuka Abeno Q’s Mall is the only place in Osaka where locals can enjoy the incredible pancakes created by the fresh cream desserts specialist shop MILK. This summer, they are now serving a new seasonal treat: the ‘Sweet Summer Mikan & Lemon Pancakes.’

Sweet Summer Mikan & Lemon Pancakes | ¥1,089 (Tax Included)

Fresh Cream Milk Pancakes | ¥858 (Tax Included)

Fresh Cream Strawberry Milk Pancakes | ¥1,089 (Tax Included)

Fresh Cream Chocolate Banana Milk Pancakes | ¥979 (Tax Included)

All pancakes are made-to-order and are covered in a rich, creamy sauce made from fresh cream from Hokkaido. Enjoy them plain or topped with fresh fruit.

The new Motosue Hanare has opened next to Motosue Kurakuen in Hyogo where they are selling a range of desserts including the Milkshake Shaved Ice and Milk Frozen.

Milkshake Shaved Ice Pudding | ¥1,290 (Tax Included)

Milkshake Shaved Ice Sweet Potato | ¥1,350 (Tax Included)

Milkshake Shaved Ice Matcha Adzuki | ¥1,200 (Tax Included)

Milk Frozen Chocolate Banana | ¥650 (Tax Included)

Milk Frozen Strawberry | ¥720 (Tax Included)

Eggy Bread | ¥750 (Tax Included)

Using milkshake as the base ingredients, the shave ice line-up gets its super fluffy texture from free range eggs. There are three flavours to enjoy, such as the pudding one which is topped with a whole Japanese pudding, adding a smooth and velvety texture to the fluffy shaved ice. Each is a perfect pick for cooling down during the summer season.

The ‘Milk Frozen’ desserts use frozen milk for the base and are topped with fruit. Each is made carefully handmade one by one, and they are even more refreshing than the shave ices. The eggy breads also come in a range of flavours including plain and custard.

Pokémon’s official baby brand monpoké revealed their 2021 AUTUMN/WINTER LOOKBOOK’ on their official website. First launched in July 2019, this month sees the release of some special new items, including the brand’s first Eevee designs, in celebration of its 2nd anniversary.

2nd Anniversary Line-Up

Introducing the “monpoké Collection” by Asics, a Pikachu themed line-up that comes part of their children’s shoe series SUKU². Pre-sales for the footwear opened on Asics’ online store on July 8 with general sales set to roll out on July 17 at Asics Kids Ginza, Asics Kids Grand Front Osaka, select Asics Walking branches, select shoe shops, and elsewhere in Japan.

Plus2do, an organic cotton clothing brand, has released a new line of haramaki with cute embroidery that are great for babies who get cold tummies. Made from high quality organic cotton, the haramaki are all carefully crafted by artisans, and will roll out at Plus2do and elsewhere from July 29.

Inujirushi Honpo is offering a range of apparel and gifts for babies aged from birth to 12 months such as an apron suit, birth preparation set, maternity notebook case, and more. They will be released at department stores, including Takashimaya Osaka Store from July 14-20 and at Takashimaya Yokohama Store from July 21-August 3.

Takihiyo is releasing a line-up of clothing items for children aged 1-3 such as caps, outerwear, pants, pouches, and more at specialist stores from July 29.

Other items will also enter the collection in August such as Eevee plush toys from Sekiguchi, wooden rattles from Kawada, and more.

More details on the product will be released on the official Pokémon Japan homepage and Twitter in the lead up the releases.

©2021 Pokémon. ©1995-2021 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.

McDonald’s Japan released its new Strawberry & Condensed Milk Frappe and Banana Caramel Frappe beverages at McCafe by Barista® branches up and down the country on July 14. The fruity frappes and the perfect choice for the hot summer season.

Strawberry & Condensed Milk Frappe | Regular: ¥490

The strawberry frappe is made with a sweet and tangy strawberry sauce that has fresh strawberry pieces in it as well as juice taken from amaou strawberries grown in Fukuoka which are known for their fresh and sweet taste. Added to the cup is rich condensed milk along with a squirt of whipped cream for a milky and velvety finish.

Banana Caramel Frappe | Regular: ¥490

The banana frappe is filled with a banana puree sauce, banana syrup, and a crème brûlée syrup. It’s topped with smooth whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. The banana and caramel make for a delicious combination.

With just a small bit of ingenuity, turn everyday food into something cute using Kaori’s Easy Recipe! With a few simple ideas, an ordinary recipe magically transforms into a cute dish.

In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make a delicious banana cake that is tasty even if refrigerated!

Ingredients

Makes a 18cm pound cake

2 ripe bananas

100g unsalted butter

50g granulated sugar

2 eggs

100g weak flour

1

Bring the butter to room temperature and mix it with the sugar until it becomes white. I used unsalted margarine for this.

2

Gradually add both the egg whites and yolks and pour slowly into the mixture while mixing. Mash the banana with a fork, add to the bowl, and mix.

3

Sieve in the flour and mix lightly.

4

Bake at 160℃ for 40-45 minutes and it’s ready! I used a 15cm pound cake tin and muffin tin to make mine. If using a muffin tin, bake for 30 minutes.

Leave to cool and use the edge of the pound cake tin to cut ears. Finish by using a chocolate pen to draw on Rilakkuma’s face.

Kaori invites you into her world of character-themed food dishes in her recipe series. Be sure to check out her Instagram where she has uploaded many pictures of her character dishes!

Seven new Pokémon manhole covers were laid in Hokkaido on July 7 as part of the Poké Lid project to place Pokémon-design manhole covers across the country. The new designs include Alola Vulpix, Togekiss, Bewear, Ditto, Combusken, and more, which were placed in Hakodate, Otaru, Nemuro, Noboribetsu, Hombetsu, Rikubetsu, and Nakashibetsu.

アローラロコンとロコンと「ポケふた」

Hokkaido is now home to 26 Poké Lids

All of the Poké Lids placed across Japan feature completely original Pokémon designs making each individual one the only one in the world. The Pokémon Company is also working to make each one of them PokéStops for Pokémon GO.

Appointed in November 2018 as the leader and deputy leader of the “Hokkaido Aficionado Expedition,” Alolan Vulpix and Vulpix have been promoting Hokkaido in their respective capacities. Alolan Vulpix is known as the Fox Pokémon and thrives in snow mountains. It was chosen to promote Hokkaido, one of Japan’s snowiest regions.

©2021 Pokémon. ©1995-2021 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
ポケットモンスター・ポケモン・Pokémonは任天堂・クリーチャーズ・ゲームフリークの登録商標です。

Baskin Robbins released a new collection of ice cream cakes inspired by the characters from the Pixar film Toy Story. There are 15 delicious flavours to enjoy, so let’s take a look.

Buzz Lightyear

Popping Candy / Chocolate Chips / Strawberry / White Sponge

Ham　

Love Potion / Chocolate / Chocolate Sponge
 

Rex

Matcha Cookie / Vanilla / Chocolate Sponge

Ducky & Bunny

Very Berry Strawberry / Chocolate Chips / White Sponge

Forky

Dark Chocolate / Chocolate Bits / Milk Chocolate / Chocolate Sponge

Little Green Men

Popping Candy / Melon / White Sponge

Bo Peep

Strawberry Cheesecake / Strawberry / White Sponge

Woody

Caramel Ribbon / Chopped Chocolate / Chocolate Sponge

Pick

Mat

The ice cream cakes include designs based on everyone’s favourite toys such as Woody and Buzz, as well as their new friends Forky, Ducky, and Bunny.

BAKE CHEESE TART has teamed up with Mister Donut to release CROQUANTCHOU ZAKUZAKU, a crispy cream puff by BAKE CHEESE TART’s sister company of the same name. They are being served from July 2 to August 1.

CROQUANTCHOU ZAKUZAKU is a crispy cream puff with a custard cream filling made from Hokkaido milk. It was first produced in Hokkaido. They are stick shaped and covered in almond crunch and ‘ZAKUZAKU,’ a coating combination of egg white and sugar.

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy both BAKE CHEESE TART and CROQUANTCHOU ZAKUZAKU’s tasty treats at the same time.

YOIYO is a chocolate brand created by confectionery company that fuses chocolate with sake. Online pre-orders for its second release opened on June 6, and it’s scheduled to release on June 13. This chocolate is made with Single Malt Komagatake Yakushima Aging, a whisky made at the Shinshu Mars Distillery in Miyada, Nagano.

YOIYO YAKUSHIMA NEW

YOIYO KOMAGATAKE 

限定TASING SET　KOMAGATAKE×YAKUSHIMA

YOIYO uses specially-selected sake from across Japan and infuses it with the brand’s own smooth and tasty milk chocolate. One bites makes it feel as if you have visited the region in which the sake is produced thanks to the combination of pure water, ingredients rooted in the land, and the use of traditional techniques. The brand’s name YOIYO is Japanese for ‘good evening’ as Lotte wants people to enjoy indulging in the chocolate at dusk or after dinner.

Single Malt Komagatake Yakushima Aging is a whisky that is aged for 5+ years, and Lotte picks only from the best barrels. A bite into the chocolate first invites the full flavour of the whisky before the sweet and rich beckon of the chocolate arrives.

Lotte is also releasing a limited-edition tasting set which includes a bar of their first YOIYO release so chocoholic and sake-lovers out there can enjoy taste testing both.

Honjitsuno is a cafe based in Takeyacho, Kyoto, which introduced its new vegetable shaved ice desserts to the menu on July 1. Every month will see a different vegetable used.

Strawberry & Fruit Tomato | ¥1,600 (Tax Included)

Made with strawberry sauce, fruit tomato jam, and milk pudding. Hidden inside is soft cheesecake.

Peach & Corn | ¥1,600 (Tax Included)

Made with peach sauce, sweetcorn, custard cream, and caramel sauce. You can really taste the original sweet taste of the corn.

Matcha & Edamame | ¥1,600 (Tax Included)

Made with Mashed green soybeans, seaweed salted red bean paste, mango, and matcha sauce.

All of the sauces and jams are homemade. Combining vegetables with fruits on shaved ice creates a whole new delicious eating experience.