Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo will begin serving its new citrus fruit-packed Yuzu Lemon Afternoon Tea on November 1 at the Le Jardin, the hotel’s lobby lounge which offers a view of the beautiful garden.

You’ll see yuzu and lemons throughout the year, but it is said that winter is the best season to enjoy them. Both lemons and yuzu are said to have a relaxation effect, and so Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo will beckon guests through its cosy doors with the afternoon tea set’s refreshing citrus fragrance, inviting them to an early wonderful winter at the beginning of November.

The set includes an assortment of sweets including a yuzu and lemon flavoured savarin, a lemon cheesecake that squeezes out all the juicy nectar of the citrus fruit, and more. The lemons and yuzu are the citrus kingpins of this afternoon tea.

The seasonal scones are a mix of yuzu and vanilla scones and silky white chocolate scones to relieve some of the sourness. Enjoy together with a mix of dips including salted clotted cream for even more flavour.

On the savoury side of things there is a tempting mix of bites and nibbles, including the use of spicy ginger to warm up your cold body.

Welcome the winter early this year and do it in style with Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s new afternoon tea set.

Kiyotaka Katsume (勝⽬ 清鷹) is the first ever confectioner of the 70-year-old Tokyo Kaikan. This autumn, Tokyo Kaikan is selling Mont Blanc Marron Chantilly dessertsーwhich were invented by Katsumeーfor a limited period only.

Earl Grey Marron Chantilly: ￥908

The Earl Grey Marron Chantilly is only available from October 1 to October 31. The flavour and aroma of earl grey tea leaves has been fully extracted to add to the flavour of the cream.

Premium Marron Chantilly: ￥1,500

The premium Marron Chantilly is only available from September 1 to October 31. Japanese chestnuts sourced from Kasama are shredded with whipped cream for a light and fluffy texture. This is a paradise for anyone who loves chestnuts.

Pumpkin Marron Chantilly￥908

The Halloween-themed desserts at Tokyo Kaikan are a big hit every year. This year, the Pumpkin Marron Chantilly will be taking to the scene to deliver the very best flavours of Halloween. Just looking at this Halloween-coloured dessert is enough to make your mouth water. It is such a shame that it is only selling from October 18 to 31.  

Dig into one of these delicious Marron Chantilly desserts surrounded by the luxurious atmosphere of Tokyo Kaikan. 

Häagen-Dazs Japan has announced that it will release two new flavours from its popular hanamochi ice cream series on September 17: “Soybean Flour Brown Sugar Syrup” and “Zunda.”

Soybean Flour Brown Sugar Syrup Hanamochi

The soybean flour brown sugar syrup hanamochi was released back in 2015 and returned again in 2017. This year, Häagen-Dazs is bringing is back even more delicious than before. They have blended together a variety of soybean flours to elevate the ingredient’s original flavour.

The top of the mochi is sprinkled with a blend of lightly roasted black and yellow soybeans. By roasting them, the original taste and fragrance of the soybean comes through tenfold. Dark roasted soybean has also been combined with milk for a velvety texture, and the entire thing is drizzled in a rich original brown sugar syrup sauce which further enrichens the soybean flavour.

Zunda Hanamochi

Zunda is sweet soybean paste made from mashed edamame beans and a flavour that has been gaining popularity in Japan in recent years. Häagen-Dazs is incorporating the flavour for the first time in their hanamochi series.

The lumpy texture of the crushed edamame goes deliciously well with the chewy mochi, taking the original authentic taste and texture of edamame to a whole new level. Mixing it with soybeans and rich milk turns it into a smooth ice cream in your mouth. The sauce also contains a sprinkle of salt to bring out the flavour of the zunda.

The packaging has also been updated, inspired by their flavours and topped with a golden lid, giving it a modern-Japanese appeal. Don’t miss out on these two new flavours.

Sanrio’s popular character Pompompurin is collaborating with Obaken, a horror experience creative company, to bring the brand new horror event known as Pompompurin Zombieland to Sanrio Puroland on November 16 and 30.

Tickets will go on pre-sale for official Pompompurin ambassadors, or Pombassadors, on September 14 at 10:00am (JST) and general sales will begin on September 28 at 10:00am (JST). To find out more about Pombassadors and how to become one click here.

Pompompurin Zombieland Promo Video

Horror experience planner Obaken is set to shake the cute world of Pompompurin into a terrifying zombie-infested one. In the story, Pompompurin was happily looking for some tasty mushrooms to pick when all of a sudden he eats a poisonous one by mistake. It is your mission to deliver him the antidote to stop him from becoming a zombie. Other unfortunate victims who also ate poisonous mushrooms have died and returned as the living dead and will roam around Puroland. The antidote to save Pompompurin, who is on the brinks of turning into a green zombie, lies in the non-poisonous mushrooms located in 6 areas of the park.

You must survive getting infected by the zombie virus and get your hands on mushrooms. If you succeed you’ll receive an exclusive Pompompurin Zombieland pin badge stating that you have cleared the mission.

You can even pick up an exclusive Zombie Purin t-shirt. These are limited in stock and can’t be bought anywhere else.

Additionally, if you wear a combination of yellow and brown-coloured clothing when attending the event―which are the colours of Pompompurin―you’ll get the above-pictured Zombie Purin sticker.

Full details can be found on the event’s website below. Don’t miss out on this creepy-cute experience this autumn.

©︎’96, ’19 SANRIO

Kusatsu Onsen is a hot spring resort in Gunma Prefecture that is one of Japan’s three principle hot spring locations. The site opened its new Japanese custard dessert (known as ‘purin’) shop, Kusatsu Onsen Pudding, on August 24, which serves the most incredibly smooth purin you have ever tried, each inspired by the hot springs.

Once you’ve stepped out of the nice warm hot springs of Kusatsu Onsen you can refresh yourself with a delicious purin packed full of love from the shop which has created a flavour you can only try by travelling to Gunma and going there. Each and every dessert is made fresh in the shop to further elevate its exclusivity as a local speciality.

Kusatsu Onsen Pudding also makes sure to use local and regional ingredients where it can to help support manufacturers and producers. Their purin is also made with a special type of milk sourced from in Gunma known as Haruna milk. The milk is made as delicious as can be by ensuring cows are raised on a healthy natural diet of grass on green pastures in Gunma bathed in plenty of sunlight.

Yuhata Purin

The Yuhata purin is inspired by the hot spring areas where mineral deposits are harvested, its jelly taking on a gorgeous emerald green colour. It’s lemon and lime flavoured, the perfect flavour to enjoy when stepping out of the hot water, and one which goes surprisingly well with purin.

Yumomi Purin

The staple purin of the store, this purin is based on yumomi, a method used for cooling the hot water with paddles from which cold water gushes forth. This velvety delight is made with lots of fresh cream and high-quality vanilla beans from Madagascar for added punch.

Furomage

A pun on the word fromage, with furo in Japanese meaning “bath,” the Furomage purin uses a rich cream cheese base which has a seriously smooth texture. It’s topped off with strawberry jelly for the perfect combination, packing a perfect balance between sweet and sour.

Yuhata Soft (Milk/Yuhata/Mixed)

Choose from the Yuhata soft serve ice cream which is ramune flavoured and inspired by the flowing water of the hot springs or the Haruna milk-mixed vanilla flavoured Milk soft serve. If you can’t pick, then choose mixed for a bit of both. A satisfyingly refreshing pick for when you’re done in the hot springs.

The shop has plans to sell purin made using bamboo steamers in the near future, so you’re pudding can be steamed like yourself after a dip in the water! The wooden spoons used to eat the desserts are also made in the image of the paddles used in yumomi too.

Two of Tokyo Station’s shopping areas, GRANSTA and GRANSTA MARUNOUCHI―which are accessible inside the ticket gates and outside the ticket gates respectively―are set to hold the GRANSTA Christmas Fair from November 5 to December 25.

GRANSTA x Tokyo Staion Hotel

Noel – ¥6,200 (Tax Included) @ Tokyo Station Hotel (*10 servings per day)

This pine tree stump chestnut cake was originally sold to support the reconstruction work of the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building which was held until 2012. Topping the chestnut sweet potato base is a mix of chestnut mousse and coffee cream. This is topped with two types of chestnut pastes in a spiral shape to create the tree rings.

Bûche Chocolat Vanille – ¥5,500 (Tax Included) @ Tokyo Station Hotel (*10 servings per day)

The Bûche Chocolat Vanille is an exquisite yule log made with melt-in-the-mouth chocolate mousse and vanilla cream inside which hides sweet and sour, kirsch-soaked cherries and sauteed pears. The top of the log is temptingly lined with even more cherries to give it both that rich look and even richer taste.

Station Building Fruit Cake – ¥4,320 (Tax Included) @ Colombin (*only 100 available)

Exclusive to GRANSTA comes this special Christmas fruit cake based on the station building. It would make great gift to bring to the Christmas party.

Cupola de Tokyo – ¥3,780 (Tax Included) @ Caffarel (*only 50 available / *design still a WIP so may differ from the photo)

This colourful Christmas cake draws inspiration from the gorgeous interior designs of the north and south domes of the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building.

Suica Penguin Cakes

Suica Penguin Cake – ¥5,400 (Tax Included) @ Dalloyau (*only 100 available)

The main Suica Penguin cake is a combination of chocolate mousse and a cream made from tonka beans. This cute cake is sure to bring joy to any child this Christmas♡

Suica Penguin Chocolate Raspberry – ¥490 (Tax Included) @ Fairycake Fair (*30 servings per day)

There are lots more cakes to look forward to, including ones in very limited quantities. If you’re in Japan this Christmas season, be sure to pay a visit to GRANSTA and GRANSTA MARUNOUCHI in Tokyo Station.

©Chiharu Sakazaki / JR East / DENTSU Suica by JR East Suica

Since July, the tea stand cafe Hachiya has been releasing one brand-new shaved ice flavour every month. The final flavour arriving on September 2 is the autumn-vibe white miso cheese and fig shaved ice which will be sold exclusively at the Sendagaya branch until September 30.

White Miso Cheese & Fig Shaved Ice – ¥1,000 (Tax Included)

The shaved ice is an original homemade blend of full-bodied white miso cheese syrup and fig syrup. The milk white and light pink contrast make this one beautiful and delicious-looking dessert.

Hidden inside the shaved ice is sweet white bean paste dressed with cashew nuts. It’s also topped with extra cashew nuts as well as dried strawberries. The dessert has a soft chewy texture and is packed with flavour which fills your mouth as it melts on your tongue.

September marks the end of the summer and the call of autumn. Japan is known for its celebration of the seasons, so why not join in with this delicious autumnal delight? And if you’re no good with cheesy desserts, you can order the shaved ice with just fig syrup too.

This is a limited-time item which will discontinue once all of the syrup runs out. Don’t miss out!

This autumn, Ginza’s biggest shopping complex GINZA SIX is serving up a sumptuous selection of seasonal sweets and desserts. Their main components this year are apples and potatoes. Expect to enjoy potato in an entirely new way, and get ready for the spooky season with a line-up of Halloween treats that everyone can enjoy.

Let’s take a look at just some of the gourmet delights arriving for the autumn season, some of which are already on sale.

Potato Desserts

Drinkable Potatoes (Purple Sweet Potato/Ripe Potato/Potato Leaf) – ¥600 Each @ Minamikaze Noukasha Dessert House (Available: October 1 – October 31)

We’re at a point in time now where not only can we eat potatoes―we can drink them too! These potato dessert drinks come in three flavours: fruity Purple Sweet Potato, rich Ripe Potato, and Potato Leaf. The potatoes used to make all of the drinks were farmed from Minamikaze Noukasha’s 160 potato farms.

Set of 5 Native Potato Pies (Oiran Potato/Genji Potato/White Potato/Hayato Potato/Tanegashima Purple Sweet Potato) – ¥2,500 @ Minamikaze Noukasha Dessert House (Available: October 1 until all sold)

Methods to make potato cultivation even easier were introduced almost 400 years ago in Japan. Cultivating original varieties of potatoes is difficult―it’s mostly not done today. These pies are proudly made with those rare native potato varieties.

Potato Parfait – ¥2,000 @ JOTARO SAITO (Quantity: Only 10 served per day)

This gorgeous parfait is made with a purple sweet potato and sweet potato cream and is layered with agar-agar, rice flour dumplings, and ice cream. Inspired by the form of an affogato, it’s topped with potato ice cream drizzled in a warm rice sauce.

Halloween Goodies For Grown-Ups

Halloween Party Pumpkin Purin – ¥4,800 @ Marlowe (Available: October 1 – October 31) *Must order within 3 days

This party-sized Halloween-exclusive rich pumpkin custard pudding contains cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s even topped up with a jack-o-lantern face.

Glowing Lollipop Candy – ¥833-¥1,111 @ Candy Art Museum by PAPABUBBLE (Available: September 21 – October 31)

These lollipops come on sticks with LED lights that make the candy glow a ghoulish light, making them a great Halloween treat.

Halloween Afternoon Tea Set – ¥4,200 @ THE GRAND GINZA (Available September 1 – October 31)

Feast on an exquisite Halloween afternoon tea set made up of an exquisite selection of drinks and desserts.

Apple Desserts

Apple Gummy – ¥2,777 / Apple Gummy Candy – ¥1,666 @ Candy Art Museum by PAPABUBBLE (Available: August 27 – November 4)

The apple gummy is about the size of a Jonathan apple. If you’re wondering what flavour it is, you’ll have to wait until you bite into it to find out! The apple gummy candy set takes on flavours of different apple varieties.

Pom Caramel – ¥800 Each @ PHILIPPE CONTICINI (Available: August 27 – November 4)

These cute and round vanilla flavoured apple mousses are filled with an apple compote, which has a hint of star anise, and cream caramel. They’re packed full of apple-y goodness and maintain PHILIPPE CONTICINI’s refined flavours.

This Year’s Must-Try Autumn Treats

Bessei Maruto Parfait “Shubo” – ¥2,300 @ Nakamura Tokichi Honten (Available: October 1 – November 30)

Exclusive to the Ginza branch of Nakamura Tokichi is this specially made parfait, layered with autumn-time ingredients including Japanese chestnut matcha cream, fig, chestnut sherbet, and bean paste. You can really taste the rich matcha notes in this beautiful dessert.

Kyoto Koicha Terrine Inori no Kajitsu – ¥2,000 @ Tsujiru (Available from September 1)

A great little gift is this terrine chocolat, made with chestnut, black soybeans, fig, and cranberries.

Did you enjoy this list? All of these items are autumn-exclusives and some are very limited in stock. Be sure to enjoy all the flavours of autumn this year in Japan.

*All listed prices include tax

Sanrio is set to hold the Pompompurin Party at four branches of the Pompompurin Cafe from September 28. The party is exclusive to girls who have signed up to become Pombassadors (Pompompurin ambassadors).

The event is taking place as a way for Pompompurin to get to know his Pombassadors better. The role of a Pombassador is to show their love of Sanrio’s adorable golden retriever by promoting him to the world on their blogs, social media and elsewhere. In return, they receive invites to events, exclusive items and more.

Tickets for the event went on sale on the Pompompurin Party Special Site on August 28.

Everyone Will Transform Into Pompompurin

Pompompurin Plush Hat

At the party, everybody will be given their own Pompompurin outfit set which comes with a fluffy hat and tunic. Pombassadors can take these home after the party’s over.

Fluffy Tunic (Free Size: Length 82cm/Bust 79cm-94cm)

Original Photo Props (6 Designs – Choose Two Randomly)

They will also receive two props chosen randomly. All of these are exclusive items you can’t get anywhere else.

Pompompurin Party Original Menu

Purin’s Colourful Heart-Filled Stew (Available at all Pompompurin Cafe branches)

Strawberry Rare Cheese Cream Fondue (Available at Pompompurin Cafe Harajuku & Yokohama only)

Enjoy an original Pompompurin Party menu featuring a meal and dessert not listed on the usual Pompompurin Cafe menu. The cookie included with the cheese cream fondue pictured above is different at both the Harajuku and Yokohama branches.

Meet the Real Pompompurin

Pompompurin will of course attend the party to meet all of his Pombassadors, who will be able to get a photo with him while dressed up. Photos taken at the event will be posted both on the event’s website as well as the Pombassadors’ Twitter and Instagram where they can be found with the hashtag #ポムポムプリンパーティー (“Pompompurin Party”).

If you’re looking to become a Pombassador, more details can be found on the official website below.

©’96, ’19 SANRIO

Popular Japanese model Saki Shibata―known to her fans by the nickname Shibasaki―has teamed up with Sanrio’s adorable golden retriever Pompompurin to release a collection of collaborative items on the character merchandise online store hopely.

“Pompompurin x Saki Shibata” Handbag – ¥2,500 (Before Tax)

“Pompompurin x Saki Shibata” Compact Mirror – ¥1,000 (Before Tax)

“Pompompurin x Saki Shibata” Pocketable Tote Bag – ¥3,000 (Before Tax)

Shibasaki is a huge fan of Pompompurin, and her cute collection includes a handbag, compact mirror and tote bag.

All of these items can be enjoyed by girls and women alike. Which do you have your eyes set on?♡

Japan is a haven for bubble tea and tapioca-based beverages. Here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON we have covered many shops selling these tasty drinks in Harajuku―the town which started the tapioca boom in Japan―but today we will be heading to the ancient city of Kyoto.

We are joined by Kyoto café life tiara who posts photos of the best drinks and desserts they have tried around the Kansai region of Japan. They have provided us with photos of two must-try bubble teas and two must-try desserts in Kyoto.

ROCCA & FRIENDS PAPIER KYOTO in Shijo

ROCCA & FRIENDS PAPIER KYOTO is just a 5-minute walk from Shijo Station. The cafe is made from a traditional townhouse along an old-fashioned Kyoto-esque street.

It takes a little while for your drink to arrive placing your order, but that’s because each beverage is carefully handmade from fresh. I ordered the mango smoothie soda and the strawberry smooth soda. Both are fruity and super refreshing and full of chewy tapioca pearls.

▼ROCCA & FRIENDS PAPIER KYOTO

Address: 735-2 Shinkamanzacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00

Closed: Mondays

Official Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/rocca.papier/

&Hana in Shijo

&Hana is located at the back of Kyoto Daimaru. The cheese rose tapioca milk tea I bought is a cute pink colour. It’s a mix of rose which is good for skin and relaxation, sweet brown sugar tapioca, and sour cheese.

Draped at the back of the cafe are bunches of dried flowers which provide an Instagrammable background for your drinks.

▼&hana

Address: 619 Nishiuoyacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:00-22:00 / Weekends & Holidays 10:00-22:0

No Fixed Holidays

Official Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/and_hana_/

KISSHOKARYO KYOTO in Gion

This honey and tea parfait is special because they only serve 20 of them a day. Tapioca pearls go well not just in drinks but in desserts like this one too♡

The fluffy shaved ice is a perfect match with the homemade Earl Grey tea syrup. The rest of the parfait is made up of milk tea flavoured jelly, tapioca pearls, tea ganache, and other delightful surprises.

I enjoyed mine with lots of syrup and roasted soybean flour!

▼KISSHOKARYO KYOTO Gion Honten

Address: 306 Ishibashicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto

Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00 (Last Orders 18:30)

No Fixed Holidays

Official Website: https://kisshokaryo.jp/

MASHOLA in Kawaramachi

MASHOLA is a South Korean-style cafe which of course sells tapioca pearl drinks, but also this delicious capo egg brulee tart as well. As soon as you put the order in their fire up the tarts fresh along with hot tapioca pearls for a heavenly melt-in-the-mouth experience.

They also sell bottled strawberry milk packed full of fresh strawberries, and for an extra ¥80 you can top if off with tapioca.

▼MASHOLA

Address: 406 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Opening Hours: 11:00-20:00

No Fixed Holidays

Official Website:  https://mashola.business.site/

Did you enjoy this list? Kyoto café life tiara has lots of other tempting recommendations of drinks and desserts on their Instagram page too, so if you’re looking for something to try while in the Kansai region of Japan be sure to give them a follow.

Text & Photos: ＠happy_pinkrose_tiara

Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga