Desserts brand Pastel is collaborating with popular Sanrio character Pompompurin to release a selection of puddings at Pastel stores around Japan for the whole month of April.

Pastel prides itself on the smooth texture of its purinーa type of Japanese custard pudding. The company will celebrate Pompompurin’s birthday, which falls on April 16, with a line of 4 adorable Pompompurin desserts.

Pompompurin’s Mini Pudding – ¥380 (Before Tax)

The classic style of Japanese custard pudding, smooth and topped with whipped cream. It’s finished with a cute sprinkled design of Pompompurin.

Soft and Fluffy Pompompurin – ¥450 (Before Tax)

Pompompurin is looking cute in this one as he pokes his head out of the caramel-drizzled and marshmallow-topped pudding.

Pompompurin’s À La Mode – ¥600 (Before Tax)

Served in an original design cup branded with Pompompurin’s adorable face, this à la mode includes a pudding topped with an orange slice and cherry.

Pompompurin’s Chiffon – ¥2,200 (Before Tax)

This fluffy chiffon cake is about 15 meters across in size, and is made with pudding cream, glazed in caramel sauce, and topped with a Pompompurin who’s just taking a little rest. *Available on weekends only

Shopper Bag Design (Available while supplies last)

When you order any of these desserts, you’ll receive an exclusive Pastel x Pompompurin collaborative bag which makes for a great gift or souvenir to friends.

Don’t miss out on these tasty Pompompurin treats.

May is the most colourful time of the year at Hotel de Yama near Lake Ashi in Hakone, when a total of 3,000 rhododendronsーcomprised of 30 different typesーbloom their beautiful flowers in the large Tsutsuji Garden, where one can enjoy a great view of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi.

Tsutsuji Garden at Hotel de Yama

“Tsutsuji” is the Japanese word for rhododendron. The Tsutsuji Garden at Hotel de Yama was once the villa of Koyata Iwasaki, “the fourth and last president of a unified Mitsubishi.” During that time, numerous varieties of rhododendrons were planted in the garden, which have since been maintained. There are plants amongst them that are over 100-years-old, ones that tower over the human stature, and more; with petals that bloom pink, red, purple, and white.

A combined view of the kaleidoscopic rhododendrons and Mount Fuji

The staff who are experts on the garden have set up two photo frame stands in two of the best spots in the garden for taking picturesque photos. Snap some Instagrammable and memories with the colourful rhododendrons and Mount Fuji together.

Rhododendron Desserts: Saison a colorier – ¥1,634 / Tea Set – ¥2,360 (Before Tax)

Salon de thé Rosage, the dessert restaurant that sits in front of the hotel, is serving up a new special dessert called “Saison a colorier” in line with the full bloom of the rhododendrons. It captures the colourful pink, red, white, and purple appearance of the flowers, and looks like a mini version of the hotel’s garden on your plate. The main part of the dessert is the tea mousse, which has a bright red colour as it is coated beautifully in a strawberry puree nappage. The tea used in the mouse is an original rhododendron blend exclusive to the restaurant.

The white rhododendron dessert is a macaron that’s filled with raspberry sorbet. The red which contrasts with the white is a rhododendron milk tea cream and fresh raspberries. The rest of the plate is adorned with pink jelly and edible flowers. The perfect afternoon tea to finish off your time at Tsutsuji Garden.

R&K Japan, the overseas division of Aiwa, released a new line of 10 double walled glasses based on the popular character franchise Tama & Friends. The first ever double walled glasses to be made of the series, the line-up includes the characters Tama, Pochi, Tora, Beh, Momo, Koma, Nora, Gon, Kuro, and Buru.

Tama – ¥3,900 (Before Tax)

Pochi – ¥3,900 (Before Tax)

What is Tama & Friends?

Tama & Friends is an original character franchise that was created by Sony Creative Products in 1983. The world of Tama & Friends was first inspired from an actual missing cat poster with the phrase “Have You Seen My Tama?” Since then, it has grown into a full franchise with many popular characters. It spawned its first anime series in 1993 which helped its popularity grow in Japan.  A new 11-episode series entitled Uchitama?! Have you seen my Tama? aired in January this year and ended just last Thursday.

Tora – ¥3,900 (Before Tax)

Beh – ¥3,900 (Before Tax)

Tama & Friends Double Walled Glasses

The glasses are designed by double walled glass pioneers GOODGLAS. Each one is handmade and can be used for hot and cold beverages.

Itohkyuemon, a shop founded in 1832 which specialises in Uji tea and sweets, began rolling out four Uji matcha desserts at 7-Eleven convenience stores across Japan on March 17 as part of their “Uji Matcha Sweets Fair.”

The tasty line-up includes “Uji Matcha Cream Puffs,” “Uji Matcha & Sakura Japanese Parfait,” “Sticky Uji Matcha Pudding,” and “Matcha Honey-Stuffed Uji Matcha Warabimochi.” Itohkyuemon has developed over 100 Uji matcha desserts, during which it has come up with a blend of matcha it specifically uses for its desserts which is not only rich in flavour but creates a harmonious flavour together with the particular dessert. This blend is used in all four of these convenience store desserts.

The Uji Matcha Sweets Fair is led by Takahito Yoshimoto, the head chef of Itohkyuemon’s Uji confectionery workshop.

Head to the closest 7-Eleven to you in Japan for a chance to taste some authentic matcha treats.

MUUN SEOUL is a cafe located along Tonchan-dori Street in Harajuku that serves Instagram-worthy South Korean food.

Photo by Nagisa Kobayashi @popo_318

Photo by Nagisa Kobayashi @popo_318

The cafe sells “fatcarons,” a South Korean-style macaron which have proven very popular with young women in Japan.

Photo by Taeco @taecostagram

Fatcarons are larger than the standard macaron. They are topped with things like strawberries, given marble textures, and more to give them a cute appearance. MOON SEOUL serves many different varieties, all of which are standout compared to normal macarons.

Photo by Sara @__sar310

But the fatcaron experience at MOON SEOUL isn’t complete without ordering the drink above. It’s strawberry milk flavoured, but the milk is whipped until it’s fluffy, giving it a taste like no other strawberry milk you’ve tried. It also has sliced strawberries inside and on top, so if you love strawberries, you’ll love this.

Photo by Yuina @popochan726

You can order your fatcarons for takeout too in a clear takeaway box so you can go have a dessert picnic with your friends, and get a great photo of them all together too.

Dandelion Chocolate and IYEMON SALON ATELIER have joined sticky fingers to bake up their new “Tea & Cocoa Brownie” which is now being served at IYEMON SALON ATELIER KYOTO and Dandelion Chocolate Kyoto Higashiyama Ichinenzaka.

This collaboration came about to celebrate 1 year since IYEMON SALON ATELIER KYOTO opened. The chocolates fuse IYEMON SALON’s tea with Dandelion Chocolate’s organic, single origin bean to bar chocolate.

Tea & Cocoa Brownie (Uji Matcha/Houjicha) – ¥1,800 (Before Tax) *Contains 2 of each flavour

The two different flavoured brownies, Uji matcha and houjicha, are filled with a ganache made from Japanese tea and carefully selected chocolate from the Dominican Republic. The chocolate has a strong, rich flavour like that of coffee and cherries, but is still easy to get without it tasting overwhelming. The brownies are also vegan-friendly and gluten-free, containing no eggs, dairy products, wheat, or white sugar. They are the perfect accompaniment to both tea and a mild-tasting sake.

The vegan lifestyle is slowly gaining recognition in Japan, so don’t miss this chance to treat yourself to some melt-in-the-mouth vegan delights.

©Dandelion Chocolate Japan

It’s been one year since AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagū opened in Tokyo in March 2019, and to celebrate, the shopping centre is releasing lots of new products for guests to enjoy starting on April 8, 2020.

AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagū, the flagship store of AKOMEYA TOKYO, is celebrating its 1st anniversary with a new bigger and better product line-up. At the end of 2019, the new AKOMEYA Shokudo restaurant opened, and AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagū began selling fresh vegetables and introduced AKOMEYA TOKYO’s first line of Western-style clothing.

Floor 1F

AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagū has upped its variation of food products, including a rice, vegetables, nuts, condiments, and more.

AKOMEYA Shokudo Kagurazaka to Open On April 1st

Seasonal Kobachizen – ¥2,200 (Before Tax)

Sweet and Sour Chicken & Vegetable Gozen – ¥1,500 (Before Tax)

The “Seasonal Kobachizen” is served with fresh white rice and a wide range of deliciously-made ingredients and condiments. There is also a line-up of classic Japanese food too available casually as self-service.

Desserts – From ¥700 (Before Tax)

Enjoy teatime too with AKOMEYA Shokudo Kagurazaka’s dessert line-up. It will be a great place to pop into if you’re strolling around Kagurazaka or doing some shopping.

*AKOMEYA Chubo will be open until March 29. It will close on March 30 and 31 for refurbishment before reopening on April 1 as AKOMEYA Shokudo.

More Details: https://www.akomeya.jp/shop/pg/1lakagukouji

Fragrant Smoked Food Products

Over 20 new smoked food products will be introduced made using special cooking methods. The cashew nuts, pistachios, spices, and coffee beans are smoked without any heat going into them before being smoked again inside a drum-shaped mixer to ensure every grain is coated. The soy sauces, oils, and dressings also have very tiny smoke bubbles in the liquid. Everything in the line-up is rich in smoky flavour

The Hive and Barrow’s Vegetables

The Hive and Barrow is a husband and wife company which moved from the United Kingdom to Chiba Prefecture in 2010. With no agricultural experience, they were able to clear land at a mountain and begin producing a wide variety of organic vegetables outdoors in nature. The eye-catching colours of their produce, as well as its rich smell, is proof of their love and dedication to grow incredible vegetables. They sell fresh veg everyday, as well as exquisite hummous, soup bases, pickles and more, all using their fresh produce.

Floor 2F

The second floor houses Japanese lifestyle products, with a fun line-up that encourages the enjoyment of picking something out.

Western-Style Clothing to Dress Up Your Day

The clothing line-up offered on the second floor of AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagū is not tied down by trends. It’s a collection for when you want to look chic and polished offered by made-in-Japan brands that are dedicated when it comes to quality. The items are inspired to make you feel happy when you put them onーso find your favourite style.

Stocked Brands:
Alwel / ANSPINNEN / Catworth / dahl’ia / fruits of life / JOHN SMEDLEY / les Briqu’a braque / MANTERO / MATRIOCHIKA / NAPRON / R&D.M.Co- / Yarmo

Japanese Accessories

Enjoy a collection of brand accessories that boast tradition and craftsmanship from all across Japan. Each and every item is handmade with love and care by artisans, and without stereotypical designs in mind, so you can adorn yourself with originality.

Stocked Brands:

HARIO Lampwork Factory / NAGAE＋ / TRIPLE O

As part of the anniversary celebration, those who spend over ¥3,000 (tax included) at AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagū from April 8 will receive a limited-edition tea towel. These are limited in stock and won’t be available once all are given out.

Shiseido Parlour, a pioneer of Japanese-style Western cuisine, has announced that it is opening its new restaurant and lounge Shiseido Parlour The Harajuku on the 8th floor of WITH HARAJUKU, a shopping centre located in front of Harajuku Station in Tokyo, on April 25, 2020.

Goshu no Sosai With Seasonal Ingredients

Main Dish

Shiseido Parlour The Harajuku breathes new life into the Japanese-style Western cuisine that has been cultivated in Ginza for 100 years, serving up a new prix fixe-style fixed price menu that elevates the taste, smell, and appearance of the seasonal ingredients used, from a Japanese way of thinking. This food can be enjoyed with a glass of one of the main wines selected by the restaurant’s sommeliers, high-quality tea, and more.

Meals are enjoyed even more by the view offered at the restaurant, where you can see shrine groves of Meiji Jingu Shrine.

Main Dining

Forest Dinner (Chef’s Recommendation) – ¥12,000 (Tax Included)

The design concept for the restaurant interior is forests. The restaurant promises a relaxing atmosphere like that of being wrapped amongst the mighty trees of the woods, the cool air blowing, and the rays of the sun spilling through the trees.

The interior design was created by Kazuya Ura, a Japanese architect who was involved with the building plan for the Kyoto State Guest House. The restaurant lounge features glass art on the wall which captures the image of sunlight filtering through the trees. This was created by Japanese glass designer Ikko Itabashi.

Lounge

The chic red lounge offers a view of the garden terrace and faces the direction of Akasaka. Tuck into appetisers and desserts and enjoy sipping on a drink. This is a great place to sit after your meal or for meeting up with someone.

If you’re visiting Harajuku during your trip to Japan, why not pop into the new Shiseido Parlour The Harajuku?

Harry Winston and Park Hyatt Tokyo are joining hands to release a special afternoon tea set titled “Winston in Bloom.” It will be served at Peak Lounge on the 41st floor of Park Hyatt Tokyo from April 1 to 30 and be inspired by Harry Winston’s floral jewellery.

Known as the “King of Diamonds” and “Jeweler to the Stars,” Harry Winston founded his brand in New York in 1932. He was captivated by the beauty of flowers and how they produce themselves naturally, a beauty which is represented in his jewellery.

The collaborative “Winston in Bloom” afternoon tea is made in the image of a high-class flower garden adorned with diamonds and coloured stones.

This is the Harry Winston brand’s first afternoon tea collaboration in Japan, and offers an elegant taste experience for anyone who wishes to munch through this garden.

Special gifts are also prepared for anyone that orders this afternoon tea. These are available while supplies last.

The MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON editorial team took a trip to Q-pot CAFE. to try out their new afternoon tea experience, the “SAKURA Romantic Tea Party,” where we were treated to a pink kawaii tea party experience. This afternoon tea is available now until April 26, 2020.

The cherry blossom designed decor and decorations welcomed us to an early spring. We ate in the cafe’s “SAKURA Room” for this review, which takes the Q-pot’s springtime cherry blossom experience to the next level.

Romantic SAKURA Afternoon Tea Set w/ Drink – ¥2,400 (Serves 1) (Tax Included) *Photo shows tea set for two

The top plate is beautifully adorned with cherry blossom St. Honoré cakes which are filled with a sumptuous gorgeous cherry blossom cream. There is also peach bavarois, strawberry cookies, and Q-pot CAFE.-original rich, cream ganache-filled macarons. The fallen cherry blossom petals on the plate are also in fact chocolate.

Everything on the plate screams kawaii with the considerate attention that is given to all the little details.

The bottom plate is the savoury stuff. We have hearty croissants filled with duck pastrami and cucumber that has been dressed with white wine vinegar. They are served with a white asparagus cream potage soup and skewered olives, mini tomatoes and pickles.

The balance of flavours between the top and bottom plates is exquisite; the savoury food refreshes your palate after the sweet treats on top.

The set comes with a cup of pink cherry blossom tea. Floral and fruity fragrances fill your nose as you go to take a sip, after which your taste buds are treated to the notes of cherry blossom and raspberry. This subtly sweet and refreshing drink is the perfect accompaniment to your dessert and meal line-up. It even comes with a little chocolate petal.

Romantic SAKURA Mont Blanc Plate w/ Drink – ¥2,060 (Tax Included)

The pink mont blanc gives cherry tree vibes. It’s made with cherry blossom bean paste cream, rich matcha chocolate, Japanese waguri chestnut, and chestnut cream. When  you fork the fluffy bean paste, you get plenty of chestnut cream and matcha chocolate with it. The sweetness of the cherry blossom bean paste and the subtle bitterness of the matcha go really well together. Q-pot. CAFE offers a selection of original macarons too which you can pick from including strawberry, chocolate, lemon, and melon. We wanted to go as pink as possible, so we went for the strawberry one!

Romantic SAKURA Parfait w/ Drink – ¥1,850 (Tax Included)

This strikingly gorgeous parfait is topped with cherry blossom cookies, cherry blossom meringue, and more. Its tall beautiful form is built up by a selection of ingredients, including Japanese flavours like cherry blossom cream and houjicha sauce. 

But what we want to draw attention to is the transparent jelly in the middle of the glass. If you look really closely, it looks like dancing cherry blossom leaves.

Q-pot CAFE. also has a range of other limited-time menu items, as well as food that looks just like real accessoriesーsomething the cafe is famous for. They also have accessories that look like real desserts, like a sugar cookie or crunchy meringue. Perfect for coordinating a spring look this year.

Make sure to pay a visit to Q-pot CAFE. if you’re visiting Tokyo this spring!

Mister Donut Japan is now serving up a sweet selection of cherry blossom themed doughnuts; this includes 3 flavours of their “Sakura Mochi Doughnuts” which have a chewy texture and cherry blossom inspired shape, 3 flavours of the “Sakura French” doughnuts which take their classic cruller doughnuts and sprinkle them with cherry blossom flavoured powder, and a cherry blossom flavour of their popular bite-sized pop doughnuts.

Sakura Mochi Doughnuts

The “Sakura Mochi Doughnuts” were a hit with sweet tooth customers in spring last year, and have made a return in 2020 even more delicious and chewy than before. With a flavour and texture that’s just like eating cherry blossom mochi, these doughnuts come in three flavours: the pink coloured and kawaii “Sakura,” the soybean sugar-coated “Kinako,” and the “Azuki” which is filled with coarse sweet red bean paste and coated in white chocolate.

Sakura French

These doughnuts use Mister Donut’s classic French crullers and turn them into seasonal springtime sakura delights, like the “Sakura” which is glazed with a pink cherry blossom mochi flavour, and the “Sakura Jelly & Whipped Cream” which speaks deliciously for itself.

Sakura Pop Doughnut

A selection of Mister Donut’s popular doughnuts, like Old Fashioned and Chocolate, have been taken and topped with cherry blossom, strawberry, and other flavourings.

Taste the sweetness of spring this season in Japan with one of these tasty doughnuts.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of EAT PARADISEーthe restaurant floor located on the 7th floor of Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyoーthe entire area, as well as restaurants and cafes throughout Isetan Shinjuku, are going pink from March 4 to 31. 

Chocolate Printanière – ¥2,860 (+Separate 10% Service Charge) @ Le Salon Jacques Borie / *5 served per day

Watch this animated chocolate dessert melt as you pour over the hot sauce and tuck in. The centre is filled with a fluffy berry cream.

Vacherin With Japanese Strawberries – ¥1,320 @ Cafe Rejiig

Located on the 8th floor of the men’s building, Cafe Rejiig is serving up a pink-coloured French dessert made up of a tower of meringue, ice cream, and various other delicious delights.

Strawberry & Cranberry Cream Mont Blanc Parfait – ¥1,211 @ latte chano-mama

latte chano-mama is a cafe popular with mothers who go there with their children. The cafe’s new mont blanc parfait is made with strawberries and sponge which has cranberry sauce hidden inside.

Left: Pink Non-Alcoholic Cocktail – ¥981 / Right: Pink Champagne Cocktail – ¥1,201 @ The Stand

These two cocktails are cherry blossom-inspired. As well as all of these cute pink delights, EAT PARADISE is celebrating with a range of other dishes other than desserts and drinks too, like soba and risotto.

There’s plenty of visually-striking items to tuck into at EAT PARADISE for their 30th anniversary, so be sure to pay a visit if you’re visiting Tokyo this spring.