Asakusa-based ‘aromatic raw chocolate’ brand MAISON CACAO created a new gin-flavoured white chocolate for Dean & DeLuca which was released in Japan on January 15, 2021.

The “Aroma Raw Chocolate (Gin)” keeps the original flavour of the white chocolate and infuses with a craft gin known as “COMMON” by Toranomon Joryusho.

Aroma Raw Chocolate GIN FOR DEAN & DELUCA | ¥2,592 (Tax Included)

​One bite into a piece of this artisanal chocolate fills the mouth with a tang of subtly fruity chocolate. Then comes the refreshing taste of the gin which complements the sweetness and adds sophistication to the chocolate in an exquisite balance of flavours.

 COMMON gin is fruity and clear

COMMON craft gin has a ‘botanical’ flavour. Its base is a shochu made on the islands of Hachijō-jima and Nii-jima. It also contains soft water taken from Okutama Sawai.

“It has a faint fruity taste that combines with the flavour of the cacao, and he used really delicious white chocolate,” explains Shingo Ishihara of MAISON CACAO who helped in the chocolate’s development. “I hope people indulge in its enjoyable melt-in-the-mouth texture.”

Bandai’s character-inspired Japanese confectionery series Tabemas is releasing two new traditional Japanese wagashi confections inspired by the Peanuts comic series. Snoopy and Charlie Brown will arrive at Lawson convenience stores across Japan on January 19, 2021.

Tabemas Snoopy | ¥264 Each (Before Tax)

The cute confections capture the little details of the iconic characters, from Snoopy’s doggo features and collar to Charlie Brown’s hair and shirt. The Snoopy confection is filled with chocolate bean paste—a nod to his favourite chocolate chip cookies—while Charlie Brown is filled with custard bean paste as a nod to his trademark shirt. The packaging features exclusive art drawn for the Peanuts comic’s 70th anniversary with Snoopy atop his dog house.

© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

Eggs ‘n Things is set to serve up a special limited-time Valentine’s menu in Japan from January 16 to February 28 including the Torokeru Fondant Chocolate Pancakes and Strawberry & Banana Chocolate French Toast.

Valentine’s Menu

Torokeru Fondant Chocolate Pancakes | Eat In ¥1,480 (Before Tax)

Torokeru Fondant Chocolate Pancakes | Takeout ¥1,080 (Before Tax)

Strawberry & Banana Chocolate French Toast | Eat In ¥1,380 (Before Tax)

Strawberry & Banana Chocolate French Toast | Takeout ¥980 (Before Tax)

Valentine’s Drinks

Strawberry White Mocha | Hot or Iced ¥680 (Before Tax)

Hawaiian Cafe Mocha | Hot or Iced ¥580 (Before Tax)

This lovingly-prepared chocolate and fruit-loaded line-up is sure to get the butterflies stirring hungrily for this year Valentine’s.

Asahi Soft Drinks has announced the release of a new drinks series called Calpis Soda Shifuku no Jikan (“Blissful Time”) with the first flavour, lemon, to hit shelves in Japan on January 26, 2021.

The new milky, carbonated soft drink series is aimed at grown-ups looking to wind down and relax with a nice chill drink. The lemon flavour is made with lemon peel extract, adding a citrusy refreshing kick to the bubbly and smooth experience.

If you’re in Japan then be on the lookout for this blissful new beverage.

“カルピス,” “カルピスソーダ,” and “CALPIS SODA” are registered trademarks of Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd.

Iwashimizu Hachimangu, a Shinto Shrine in Yawata, Kyoto, has announced that a 5-day light-up event will take place from February 10 to 14 at the site’s main shrine which is listed as a national treasure of Japan.

Following government guidelines in response to COVID-19, the event will feature LED illuminations, glowing exhibits from craftsmen, lights made by locals from materials such as bamboo, and more, all in the hopes of creating a bit of evening-time sightseeing in the area. The event will also be streamed live online for those unable to attend where viewers can also enjoy watching ceremonial dance by shrine maidens.

The popular wine bar Dick Bruna TABLE, where customers can enjoy a glass of wine with a meal together with illustrations by Dick Bruna, the creator of Miffy, is now selling a batch of Miffy cookies created by the popular confectionery Theo Blom located in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Miffy Cookies & Chocolate | ¥4,000 (Before Tax)

Miffy Cookies | ¥4,000 (Before Tax)

Utrecht is the birthplace of Miffy author and creator Dick Bruna, and Theo Blom is a place that Bruna himself actually often visited. The confectionery is known for its tins which can be reused after the contents are eaten. The cute Miffy tins are definitely keepers.

McDonald’s Japan is bringing back its popular Belgian Chocolate Pie from last year and is also introducing a new Crème Brûlée Pie, both of which will hit the menu at all McDonald’s branches from January 13 for a limited time.

Crème Brûlée Pie | ¥150 (Before Tax)

Belgian Chocolate Pie | ¥150 (Before Tax)

The hot pies are filled with deliciously sweet cream and are a perfect, cosy treat during the cold weather.

Nana’s Green Tea is serving up a brand-new dessert in collaboration with Häagen-Dazs for Valentine’s Day at 77 branches in Japan. The dessert was released on January 6 and will be available up to February 14.

Matcha Chocolate Glass with Häagen-Dazs | ¥880 (Before Tax)

The dessert is a tempting sight to behold – not only is it delicious but visually appealing to the eye too, and layered with various textures so that every bite is a surprise.

The dessert is made with Häagen-Dazs’ “Sweet Chocolate” ice cream coupled with Nana’s Green Tea’s own original matcha ice cream, soft and crunchy meringue sticks, crumbled cookies, white chocolate whipped cream, and matcha chiffon cake. Sat at the bottom waiting to be discovered is a sweet strawberry sauce for a tangy kick.

Mister Donuts has teamed up with Belgian chocolate brand Pierre Marcolini to release the “misdo meets PIERRE MARCOLINI Collection” of doughnuts which hit Japanese branches on Friday (January 8).

Fondant Chocolate Doughnut – Chocolate | ¥200 (Before Tax)

Fondant Chocolate Doughnut – Caramel | ¥200 (Before Tax)

Fondant Chocolate Doughnut – Raspberry | ¥200 (Before Tax)

Fondant Chocolate Doughnut – Hazelnut | ¥200 (Before Tax)

Danish Chocolate – Raspberry | ¥230 (Before Tax)

Danish Chocolate – Hazelnut | ¥230 (Before Tax)

The doughnuts are part of Mister Donuts “misdo meets” series which first began in 2017 to combine the highest quality ingredients and techniques to in order to bake up the best possible doughnuts. This time, it has joined sticky bakers fingers with the popular Begian chocolate brand Pierre Marcolini to create a new kind of fondant chocolate doughnut and danish. The line-up is made with high quality authentic chocolate and has a bitter kick to it – perfect for those who aren’t into sweeter treats. The heart-shaped danishes are also spot on for the Valentine’s season in Japan.

Floresta Nature Doughnuts, a doughnut cafe that hand-makes doughnuts using organic ingredients, is baking up two new Gudetama doughnuts with New Year’s messages on them. They will be served from January 9 to 24.

Florest Gudetama Collab Doughnuts | ¥450 (Before Tax)

The doughnuts capture the lazy and lethargic energy of Gudetama. The crowning Gudetama is made from Japanese pumpkin and is sat on a bed of sweet white chocolate. Both doughnuts are also available as a set coming with an extra of any of Floresta’s signature doughnuts.

Relax and take in the new year together with Gudetama.

Isetan Shinjuku has announced a special one-week event titled “7 Days of Loving Strawberries” which is centred around cute and delicious strawberry desserts and will run this month from January 13-19. Ten cafes and restaurants are participating with a sweet and succulent line-up including strawberry daifuku, strawberry shortcake, special parfaits and crepes, and more.

Strawberry Candle Pavlova @ mihopan popcake | Two for ¥972 (Tax Included) *Limited quantities

MIGAKI-ICHIGO Strawberry Parfait @ Ichibiko | ¥1,980 (Tax Included)

Strawberry Shake @ Ichigo-ya Sunsunen | ¥721 (Tax Included)

Crispy Strawberry Mille-Feuille Crepe @ Sorairo Crepe | ¥935 (Tax Included) *Limited quantities

Strawberry Shortcake Parfait @ Shiseido Parlour | ¥1,045 (Tax Included)

Strawberry Daifuku @ Berry UP! | ¥432 (Tax Included)

Ripe Strawberry Milk Pudding @ Kanjyuku Ichigo Kashi Kekyusho | ¥486

Whole Strawberry Sandwich @ Sajisakon | From ¥864 (Tax Included)

MIGAKI-ICHIGO Strawberry Daifuku @ Seigetsudo Hoten | ¥432 (Tax Included)

Saryo FUKUCHA in Kyoto is now serving up a very special selection of succulent strawberry and matcha parfaits until May 30, 2021. These exquisite delights will see only 10 made of each per day.

Saryo FUKUCHA is a cafe that was opened by FUKUJUEN in Kyoto Station in April 2019. This year, they have brought back their extremely popular strawberry and matcha parfaits : the Konome, Konoha, and Konoka. They have also introduced a new addition to the line-up: the Strawberry & Matcha Milk Parfait. Also on the menu is a strawberry matcha latte.

Matcha & Strawberry Parfaits

Konome | ¥1,350

Konoha | ¥1,450

Konoka | ¥1,550

Strawberry Matcha Milk Parfait | ¥800

Strawberry Matcha Latte | ¥650

Discover the taste of Japanese tea in a new way with Saryo FUKUCHA’s matcha and strawberry parfaits and latte.