On November 18, AEON’s fashion brand Doublefocus launched six pieces of apparel inspired by the soccer series Captain Tsubasa! These items will be available at 260 AEON and AEON Style locations nationwide as well as AEON Style Online.    Captain Tsubasa Sweatshirt   Captain Tsubasa Hoodies   Track Jacket   T-ShirtsSoccer is becoming more popular in Japan, and this is becoming apparent through its inclusion in various anime and manga series. If you’re a fan, be sure to grab one of these Captain Tsubasa shirts, sweatshirts, or hoodies!   (c) 高橋陽一／集英社・2018キャプテン翼製作委員会

McDonald’s Japan locations with ‘McCafe by Barista’ areas will begin selling special spring treats for a limited time starting April 6, 2022. Customers will be able to grab the ‘Strawberry Uji Matcha Frappe’ and the ‘Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart.’   McCafe by Barista invites guests to enjoy high-quality frappes and smoothies. The Uji Matcha Frappe was added to the regular product lineup in June 2021, and features a mellow matcha flavor. The Strawberry variant is coming back for the first time in three years. The Mont Blanc Tart is a new addition, and is a perfect treat to enjoy with this popular frappe!   

Strawberry Uji Matcha Frappe: ¥490

  The Strawberry Matcha Frappe mixes together the full-bodied flavor of matcha together with sweet and sour strawberries. It includes both a strawberry paste made from whole strawberries and a strawberry whipped cream at the bottom. The drink is topped with more strawberry whipped cream and a sprinkling of matcha powder. The refreshing taste of the strawberry sauce coupled with the whipped cream serves to elevate the great flavor of the Uji Matcha even more.    

Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart: ¥390

  The Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart is made with Uji Matcha batter, Uji Matcha whipped cream, white bean paste, and green tea cream. The refined sweetness is complemented by the mellow aroma and slight bitterness of Uji Matcha.   How would you like to enjoy these treats beneath the cherry trees?

TZEN, a company dedicated to promoting traditional Japanese culture around the world, has teamed up with Yamamasa Koyamaen, a tea wholesaler in business since the Edo period, to open a new matcha cafe in Tokyo!   ATELIER MATCHA, a quick walk from Ningyocho station, is harnessing the concept of ‘the third wave of matcha,’ serving up premium matcha in a cozy atmosphere.     

MATCHA Cookies & Cream Shake: ¥748 (Tax Included) 

MATCHA with Warabimochi and Red Bean Topping: ¥748 (Tax Included)

MATCHA Jelly Cider: ¥660 (Tax Included)

MATCHA Granola and Yogurt Latte: ¥715 (Tax Included)

MATCHA Cotton Candy Milkshake: ¥748 (Tax Included)

MATCHA Affogato: ¥660 (Tax Included)

MATCHA Shot (Espresso Style): ¥220 (Tax Included) / MATCHA Water: ¥275 (Tax Included) / MATCHA Green Tea: ¥330 (Tax Included)

Supreme MATCHA Terrine: ¥660 (Tax Included)

 

(This is a partial menu, all prices are for those dining in.)

  Matcha is becoming popular around the world. ATELIER MATCHA was created to offer customers a unique experience which showcases the true taste and culture of this beloved tea grown in Japan.      Yamamasa Koyamaen is a Kyoto institution, cultivating and grinding matcha tea leaves for 160 years. Over 1,000 tea retailers, department stores, domestic and international trading companies and hotels stock their high-grade matcha, gyokuro, sencha, and other specialty teas, making them one of the most recognized and respected names in this traditional Japanese art. The company even prefers to call themselves a ‘studio’ rather than a ‘factory’, using the 800-year history of tea cultivation in Uji, Kyoto as a starting point to create their masterpieces.    ATELIER MATCHA is Yamamasa Koyamaen’s first cafe, and also the company’s first experience selling directly to consumers.    Blending the highest-grade matcha with locally made sweets, the cafe hopes customers will enjoy these original creations while surrounded by the relaxing aroma of tea.    The matcha used in the cafe includes signature Yamamasa Koyamaen blends, including Ogurayama and Tennozan, both varieties often used in tea ceremonies. For a limited time, the cafe is offering a single-origin blend with one rare variety of matcha, as well as a beverage made with tencha, which are the leaves used to make matcha before being ground down in a stone mortar. Visitors can also enjoy gyokuro and hojicha teas, made from carefully selected leaves.    Pulling recipes from Yamamasa Koyamaen’s book ‘Kyoto Uji-Koyamaen: Simple Matcha Drinks to Enjoy at Home,’ the menu features refreshing drinks blending the traditional with the modern, with unexpected combinations of soda, fruit and yogurt. Seasonal drinks will also be making an appearance, including shaved ice in summer and chocolate drinks in winter.    The name MATCHA SHOT packs a punch, using matcha instead of espresso for a needed pick-me-up. MATCHA WATER, a refreshing cup of watered-down tea, offers a way to fully enjoy the fullness and more hidden flavors of this popular Japanese tea.    As expected, ATELIER MATCHA also has a sweets menu set to impress: these sweet treats feature only the best, created with the top 0.03% of total national matcha production. This insanely high-quality matcha is a part of Yamamasa Koyamaen’s ultimate matcha experience project, titled “ALL FOR ONE,” which provides these rare leaves to some of the country's top professionals in various fields.    At opening, only limited qualities of the Supreme MATCHA Terrine, made by well-known pâtissier Toshi Yoroizuka, will be available.    These authentic matcha creations are perfect for a hot summer’s day, or as a gift for a friend. When in Tokyo, don’t miss it!  

Starbucks Coffee Japan is releasing its new summery GO Pineapple Frappuccino® and GO Peach Frappuccino® at all branches on August 4.  

Starbucks Japan's first pineapple beverage, plump and sweet

Left: GO Pineapple Frappuccino® | Right: GO Peach Frappuccino® | Tall ¥680 (Takeaway), Tall ¥693 (Have-In)

The two fruity drinks arrive in time for the height of Japanese summer this August. This also marks the first time Starbucks Japan is serving up a pineapple Frappuccino®. The GO Pineapple Frappuccino® is loaded with ripe and fresh pineapple pieces along with a pineapple puree and pineapple sauce. When you've sipped about half the cup, mix in the whipped cream to transform the drink into smooth and milky heaven.   The GO Peach Frappuccino® is also loaded with its titular fruit, making it so refreshing it's like eating a whole juicy peach. Enjoy a combination of fresh peach pieces, puree, and sauce, one which maintains the rich original flavour of this summer-classic fruit.

Reusable Coffee Cup With Changeable Coloured Lids (437ml) | ¥385 (Tax Included)

August 2nd will mark 25 years since Starbucks arrived in Japan, bringing to the country a culture of walking around with your coffee in hand. This summer, the coffee chain is also releasing a new collection of seasonal tumblers, as well a new reusable coffee cup which you can swap out with different coloured lids. While the new beverages are on sale, if you buy one of them together with a reusable cup, you can get a free size upgrade on your Frappuccino®.

Bubble tea shop XIE XIE PEARL is collaborating with San-X and their popular corner-dwelling characters Sumikko Gurashi with a line-up of drinks and merch until August 23.   Fruit is the theme of the collaboration which arrives in a line-up of colourful beverages served in limited-time cups. Each character's drink is loaded with toppings.

Shirokuma's Peach Milk | ¥756 (Tax Included)

Neko's Jewel Berry Lemonade | ¥756 (Tax Included)

Tonkatsu's Caramel Banana Milk | ¥756 (Tax Included)

Penguin's Jewel Mint Lemonade | ¥756 (Tax Included)

 

Original collab goods

Large Stickers | 4 Designs | ¥330 (Tax Included)

 

Mini Tote Bag | ¥990(Tax Included)

 

Mirrors | 5 Designs | ¥550 (Tax Included)

 

Re-release of previous collab merch

   

Free novelty stickers and pouch

If you order one of the collab drinks you'll receive a free sticker, and if you order all four drinks, you get an original Sumikko Gurashi pouch. All you need is your receipt to show at the register.©︎2021 San-X Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.  

KYOTO YURA HOTEL MGallery is now serving a new cocktail and afternoon tea menu in collaboration with Perrier Promotion.   KYOTO YURA HOTEL MGallery is a hotel group based in Paris, France which operates over 5,000 hotels and resorts in 110 countries worldwide. Together with the mineral water brand Perrier, the two companies launched the 'Perrier Promotion with KYOTO YURA HOTEL MGallery' on July 21 which includes a special cocktail and afternoon tea line-up being served up at Lounge & Bar 1867.

Perrier x MURAKAMI Tote Bag

Perrier Cacao & Orange Asian Fizz Mocktail | ¥1,300 (Tax Included)

Perrier Umami & Ryokucha Green Tea Sour Mocktail | ¥1,300 (Tax Included)

Perrier Citrus Iced Tea Mocktail | ¥1,300 (Tax Included)

Perrier Evening Iced Coffee Cocktail | ¥1,700 (Tax Included)

Perrier Flower & Fruit Afternoon Cocktail | ¥1,700 (Tax Included)

Perrier Promotion with KYOTO YURA HOTEL MGallery is an all-day special event taking place at the hotel. At both the hotel entrance, as well as Lounge & Bar 1867, an artwork collaboration by Takashi Murakami and Perrier is being displayed for the duration of the event, adding a colourful vibe to the spaces.   The drinks line-up includes three mocktails which are available on the free flow drinks menu when ordering the hotel's popular afternoon tea. The afternoon tea set was conceived by pastry chef Jennie Chiu and is packed full of summer fruits like passion fruit and mango.   During the collaboration, the first 200 people to order either the afternoon tea set or high tea set will also receive a free novelty tote bag featuring the Takashi Murakami's characters Kaikai and Kiki.   In the evenings, the Perrier Pop-Up Bar are serving two alcoholic cocktails alongside the mocktails.