7 Souvenirs Celebrating the Year of the Pig & 2019

28.December.2018 | FOOD

Onenga are an important part of the New Year holidays in Japan. They are gifts given when looking back over the past year with a person and are usually handed over with the phrase kotoshi mo douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu which thanks the person for their support over the past year and into the next.

 

The Daimaru Tokyo department store is selling a whole range of confections based on the 2019 “Year of the Pig” from December 26 to January 3 which will make for perfect New Year gifts. Not only can they be used as onenga but as souvenirs for anyone visiting Japan during the New Year season.

Pig Shaped Monaka Bean Jam Wafer Cakes (Set of 12): ¥1,850 / Sold at Funabashiya

Both the wafer cake shell and the red bean paste are separate from each other which retains the freshly-made crunch. It’s made in the cute shape of a pig which is unique for a monaka wafer cake.

 

Pig Shaped Sweet Jelly: ¥918 / Sold at Ryoguchiya Korekiyo

This sweet jelly features a pig and piglet in it so adorable you’ll want to take a photo. The light that filters through creates a beautiful scene of a pig and its child.

 

2019 Mochi (Set of 6): ¥1,080 / Sold at Ginza Akebono

This assortment of sticky rice cakes comes with various designs including “2019,” pine trees, pigs and more.

Small Sweet Jelly With Pig Packaging (Set of 12): ¥3,240 / Sold at Toraya

The artistry of a long-standing store shines through on the piggy packaging of these sweet jellies.

 

Sweet Cigars (Set of 20): ¥1,458 / Sold at Yoku Moku

These are a hallmark product at Yoku Moku loved by men and women of all ages.

Shoufuku Tafuku (Set of 5): ¥864 / Sold at Akasaka Kakiyama

These mochi are cut thin, dried and baked before being put into cute boxes that feature illustrations of a pig dressed as a daruma.

Shichifukujin (Set of 7): ¥2,700 / Sold at Kanou Shoujuan

This set comes with a range of different confections inspired by the Seven Deities of Good Luck.

 

You’re sure to find the perfect pick for a New Year’s gift in this line-up!

RELATED ENTRIES

  • Tottori Prefecture’s White Rabbit of Inaba Wins Top Prize in Japan’s Indie Souvenir Contest

    19.August.2021 | FOOD

    From July 29 to August 11, over 320,000 people from around Japan voted for their favorite lesser-known local souvenir. Sponsored by Japanese e-commerce site Mercari, the contest highlighted 47 unique goods from around the country, one for each prefecture. The winners have been announced, and the White Rabbit of Inaba from Tottori Prefecture has won first place, receiving more than 60,000 votes.   A music video-style web commercial featuring the winning product is now being produced to support the shop and particular region of Tottori. The music will be performed by electro-pop group Frasco. In Japan, the rabbit is known for bringing good fortune, and has been a beloved symbol since ancient times.  The white rabbit in particular, featured in the local Izumo myth ‘The White Rabbit of Inaba,’ plays a major role in connecting the characters Onamuchi-no-kami and Princess Yakami. In 1968, the famous confectionery ‘White Rabbit of Inaba’ was created in the hopes of bringing good luck to those visiting the area.   Much like how an indie music group has a small group of hardcore fans but may not be well-known outside of small circles, these indie souvenirs are popular with locals, but may not be known to those outside the community. On the official website, fans can see their favorite treats displayed on what looks like album covers as an homage to this fitting comparison.   On social media, there was incredible support for the project from all kinds of people: those who made the souvenirs in the first place, those who love their local area, and those who were seeing these treats for the first time and dying to try them.   Which of the 47 souvenirs would you be most happy to receive?  
  • Disney’s Mickey & Friends Teams Up With Tokyo’s Souvenir Sweet Tokyo Banana

    07.June.2021 | FOOD

    Disney SWEETS COLLECTION by Tokyo Banana, a joint confectionery shop between GRAPESTONE and Tokyo Banana, released its new Mickey & Friends collection on Thursday.

    Tokyo Banana Mickey & Friends Collection | ¥1,300 (Tax Included)

    Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto join hands in a heart-warming new collection of Tokyo Banana, a cream-filled sponge cake and the official souvenir sweet of Tokyo's official souvenir sweet: Tokyo Banana. 

    Mickey & Friends arrive in all the colours of the rainbow

    The colourful packaging features the Disney group of best friends including Mickey, who loves his friends, his girlfriend Minnie, the anger-prone Donald, stylish Daisy, silly Goofy, and trusty Pluto.  

    Six cute patterns decorate the sponge cakes

    There are six super cute Mickey & Friends designs you could get in your Tokyo Banana, and each one is random. They are filled with chocolate banana-flavoured custard cream.  

    Collect all the postcards

    All boxes of these treats come with two of eight possible postcard designs which you can use for sending to someone or even as room decoration.    © Disney
  • The Pokémon Tokyo Banana confection series launched its first two products that it ever released at Yume Town, Yume City, LEC, and Yume Mart branches in the South-west most part of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu on May 14.

    Pikachu Tokyo Banana (Banana Flavour) | Includes 2 | ¥292 (Tax Included)

    Eevee Tokyo Banana (Caramel) | Includes 2 | ¥292 (Tax Included)

    Heart-shaped tail ends

    Six different packaging designs each for Pikachu and Eevee

    Tokyo Banana are popular cream-filled cakes and are the official souvenir sweet of Tokyo. The Pokémon series turns these fluffy treats into cute confections for you to enjoy with your favourite Pokémon during snack time.   Pikachu was the first to enter the Pokémon Tokyo Banana series who was turned into a banana custard cream-filled sponge cake. The second was Eevee with the fluffy sponge a delicious caramel macchiato flavour and filled with sweet banana custard cream   The confections are both branded with adorable heart-shaped tails, and each comes with one of six possible packaging designs.   ©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。
  • Matcha and Latte Cookies and Drinks Released by Yojiya

    01.April.2021 | FOOD

    Kyoto makeup brand Yojiya is now selling its own collection of snacks and drinks which it released via its website last week.

    Yojiya Matcha Sandwich Cookies | ¥1,400 (Tax Included)

     

    Yojiya Cafe Latte Chocolate Cookies | ¥1,350 (Tax Included)

     

    Yojiya Matcha Milk | ¥950 (Tax Included)

    Yojiya's snack line-up is made with the idea of being able to enjoy high-quality food products at home. Their collection includes crunchy matcha and cafe latte cookies along with matcha milk, the latter of which is made with famous Uji matcha from Uji, Kyoto. Perfect for a tea/coffee break or as a souvenir.
  • Sablé Shortbread Cookie Shop Sablé MICHELLE Opens First Tokyo Branch in Ikebukuro

    19.March.2021 | FOOD

    Sablé MICHELLE opened its first Tokyo branch inside Seibu Ikebukuro last Friday to serve up their cute and colourful baked treats for the people of Japan's capital.  

    Voyage Sablé New York

    Voyage Sablé Netherlands

    Voyage Sablé Hawaii

    Voyage Sablé Tokyo

    Voyage Sablé Gift (Contains 3)

    Voyage Sablé Air Male (Box of 6)

    Cake Sablé Tin (Small Size)

    Cake Sablé Bag Type (Contains 2)

    Fleur Sandwich Sablé (Contains 4)

    Fleur Sandwich Sablé Bag Type (Contains 2)

  • Experience Okinawa From Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station at Tokai Kiosk’s Fair

    28.February.2021 | FOOD

    Tokai Kiosk Company has announced a Kyushu and Okinawa themed fair which will run at all branches of Tokai Kiosk from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station starting on March 2. Customers will be able to enjoy a range of local foods and products from Kyushu and Okinawa.

    Kyushu Okinawa Fair Poster

     

    A Look at Some of the Available Products

    Salted Shiroi Tabekko Doubutsu

    Sugar Butter Sand Tree - Amaou Strawberry Butter

    Okinawa Bireley's Ishigaki Island Pineapple

    Sausage & Egg Yuzu Kosho Sandwich

    This is just a peek of what will be available to try from Kyushu and Okinawa this spring. If you're travelling in Japan this March, then don't miss out.