Pocky is one of the most popular Japanese snacks around the world, and a new way to enjoy it is here. Since the 1970s, Pocky on the Rocks has been a popular way to enjoy the tasty treats during the summer. A modern version has just been unveiled, and six special boxes with exclusive designs will be released on June 14 along with a new campaign, recipe submission contest, and a collaboration with select cafes around Japan. 

Pocky on the Rocks was first introduced in an ad campaign in 1976. People began putting Pocky sticks in a cool glass filled with ice or using the sticks as muddlers for alcoholic drinks. This stylish summer snack has been reimagined for 2022, and customers are inspired to pair the sticks with their favorite drink, stick them into ice cream, or add them to a cup of seasonal fruit!

Pocky on the Rocks in the 1970s

Pocky on the Rocks Today

Collaboration with 5 Cafes in Tokyo and Kansai

Cafe Roman – Takadanobaba, Tokyo

Cream Soda

Cafe Negura – Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
Dark Cherry Soda

DORSIA – Sannomiya, Kobe
Heart Strawberry Milk

Sunshine Cafe – Higashi-Umeda, Osaka
Almond Mixed Juice

Poem Cafe – Motomachi, Kobe
Lemon Squash

Pocky’s limited edition packaging, coming June 14, will feature a recipe for the 2022 Pocky on the Rocks. A recipe submission contest will also be held on Instagram, and anyone can participate. On the campaign website, fans can find collaboration recipes made in conjunction with five different cafes around Tokyo and the Kansai region. Of course, you can also grab these treats at each shop!

Fans can win retro goods in another ongoing campaign simply by snapping a picture of a Pocky receipt.

You’ve probably tried Pocky before, but have you ever tried Pocky on the Rocks? 

Floresta, a handmade donut store using all-natural ingredients, will begin selling Easter-themed animal donuts next month! The special treats will be available until April 24, 2022.

In the Easter tradition, eggs symbolize resurrection and rebirth, and painting Easter eggs is a popular activity in western countries during the holiday season. Rabbits are also a common Easter motif and symbolize fertility and prosperity. Why not come celebrate with some of these cute and healthy sweets?

Bandai’s Japanese confectionary project Tabemas has been transforming popular characters into tasty treats for years. Starting April 5, over 16,600 FamilyMart stores nationwide will offer sweets inspired by illustrator nagano’s popular characters Chiikawa and Usagi!

This is the first time these characters have been featured in the Tabemas series. Fans can grab Chiikawa with sparking eyes or smiling with red cheeks, a sparkly-eyed Usagi, and the adorable cat Hachiware. It will be difficult to eat something so painfully cute, but each is sure to taste delicious! The Chiikawa sweets are milk and custard flavored, Usagi is sweetened with caramel, and Hachiware offers the taste of strawberry milk. 

(C)nagano / chiikawa committee

From March 25 until April 27, gelato pique café locations around Japan will be celebrating Easter with three special Easter Bunny-themed sweets.

Easter Bunny Crepe

Easter Bunny Gelato

Easter Bunny Float

Last year, gelato pique café released an Easter Bunny soft-serve ice cream dish which was incredibly popular. In 2022, the brand has decided to release three unique treats under the theme of ‘Happy Bunny Hunt.’ Those with a sweet tooth can snag a crepe, gelato, or float during the event period, all decorated with white and pink shades perfect for spring. 

Fujiya is celebrating 111 years with a special collaboration with Hoshino Resort! The sweets company is well-known for ‘Milky,’ one of the most popular candies in Japan, and now, fans of these sweets can surround themselves completely with retro vibes. To inspire younger generations to travel again, a Milky-inspired room plan is now available to book. 

Four Unique Features of the Milky Sweet Accommodation Plan

１. A Milky Sweet Room with a Retro Feel!

This sweet room is completely covered with retro Milky style! The candy’s mascot Peko-chan takes center stage in Taisho clothing, and guests can enjoy a Milky snack set and Milky bath salts to complete this one-of-a-kind experience.

2. Become Peko-chan with Adorable Costumes!

Dress up as Peko-chan with your best friend and take some hilarious pictures! These tops and overalls are included with the room, but feel free to wear them out and about.

3.  Milky-flavored Popcorn Available in Collaboration with TAMARIBA!

Popcorn sweetened with Milky powder is now available at TAMARIBA. Enjoy this tasty treat as you explore the grounds, and enjoy the special bag featuring Peko-chan. 

Location: TAMARIBA / Available: 15:00-19:00 / Price: Free
*Available while supplies last

4.  Enjoy Special Experiences at BEB5 Karuizawa and BEB5 Tsuchiura

BEB5 Karuizawa

Find Retro Peko-chan in Karuizawa Hoshino!

All-you-can-eat French Toast with Milky Sauce

BEB5 Tsuchiura

Make a Milky Smoothy on a Bike!

Peko-chan Retro Photo Cycling Tour in Tsuchiura!

Roomwear brand gelato pique has released a new Easter collection, complete with a bunny rabbit motif! The Innocent Bunny Collection is now available at participating stores nationwide, as well as the gelato pique online store.

Fluffy Bunny Series

Bunny Series Goods

Easter Satin Series

“The soft fur makes it feel like you’re holding a rabbit in your arms!” 

A full lineup of roomwear and other items are available, including slippers, eye masks, makeup pouches, and plushies. Celebrate the spring season with these soft and adorable items!

The luxury hotel Grand Hyatt Tokyo will offer Easter sweets and baked goods at the on-site Fiorentina Pastry Boutique from April 1 until Easter, April 17, to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Easter Egg Macaroon

Easter Cookies with Icing

Easter Lollipop

Easter Bunny Brioche

This year, in addition to the new Easter Bunny and Easter egg macaroons, cookies with icing, lollipop chocolates, brioche in the shape of the Easter Bunny, and other sweets and bakery items will be available. Don’t miss it!

Nagoya Tokyu Hotel’s lounge Grindelwald is now selling offering an Easter-themed afternoon tea set through April 30, 2022! This new twist on the traditional set features plenty of pastels and spring touches. 

Top Row: Sweets

Middle Row: Scones

Bottom Row: Sandwiches

Easter Bunny Parfait (Available in April)

This fun tea set includes a tasty chocolate mousse in the shape of the Easter Bunny, a carrot-filled sandwich, and a panna cotta with a flower on top. Keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny Parfait coming in April!

Yowamushi Pedal fans will be able to pick up some exclusive Easter-themed merchandise during AnimeJapan on March 26 and 27!

Pins (Random, 9 varieties)

Acrylic Figure Stands (9 varieties)

Chibi Character Pins (Random, 16 varieties)

Chibi Character Acrylic Stands (16 varieties)

Metalic Postcards (10 varieties)

Bonus Round Stickers (25 varieties)

The merchandise will be on sale at the event and also available for preorder at Chugai Online. Items are scheduled to ship in June.

©渡辺航（週刊少年チャンピオン）／弱虫ペダル04製作委員会

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of her major label debut, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is staying active in 2022. Next month, the singer will finally take to the stage at Coachella 2022 in California. In conjunction with the nationwide tour, the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project was launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities. Finally making it to the northern Japan city of Hakodate, details surrounding the singer’s sweet new collaboration have been announced!

Kyary is teaming up with the traditional Japanese confectionary shop Senshu An in Hakodate, founded over 162 years ago. This time, the special collaboration logo was inspired by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s 2012 hit Candy Candy. The logo was originally written traditionally in black ink, but it’s recieved a major pop makeover in pastel shades of yellow and green to pay homage to the set of the Candy Candy music video.

The shop is well-known for its original Yama Oyaji, a popular souvenir from Hokkaido. The new collab product feature Kyary’s face and dancers, perfect for fans of the singer–though they might be a little too adorable to eat. Made one by one by skilled craftsman using carefully selected Hokkaido azuki beans as the base, each sweet features soft pastel colors to welcome spring. The sweets are placed in a special package wrapped in original collaborative wrapping paper. Be sure to grab them from the online store before they’re gone on April 18!

A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. Get one from the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website by March 30!

Tokyo’s Sanrio Puroland has begun its annual Easter celebration! The oldies-themed Puro Easter event will run until July 5, 2022.

This year marks the third Puro Easter event, and the annual stage show has been revamped for 2022! ‘Egg ‘n’ Roll Easter! -BLAST’ will be performed in the Entertainment Hall on the first floor of the park. Fans of My Melody and Kuromi won’t want to miss out, as the popular characters will appear in brand new costumes.

Egg ’n’ Roll Easter! -BLAST-

Limited-Time Easter Photo Spot

Easter Egg Hunt Mini-Game

Puroland Special Easter Greeting

Food & Dessert Menu

Original Easter Goods

An Easter-themed photo spot is located at the entrance to the 3rd floor with pop and retro style. Fans can participate in an Easter Egg Hunt mini-game, scavenging around Puro Village searching for eggs and collecting keywords to unlock an original video. Don’t miss out on new food and merchandise during the event period, with colorful curries and pasta perfect for filling hungry tummies. 

The 1st-floor Event Corner will also allow guests to interact with characters dressed in Easter costumes. Staff will be dressed in Easter outfits!

© 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN 　著作 株式会社サンリオ

Tohouen, a Japanese confectionary maker in Gifu Prefecture, has begun selling a springtime version of its popular cat-inspired manju. Inspired by the many cats that like to stroll around the shop’s headquarters, the new release includes cherry blossom-colored cat paws. 

A traditional sweet in Japan, Manju is made from flour, rice powder, and buckwheat, with a tasty sugar and anko (red bean paste) filling.

Do you think these are too cute to eat?