Japanese chocolate and baked goods bakery LIFE IS PÂTISSIER is now selling a collection of luxurious treats for White Day, the sequel to Valentine’s Day in Japan, via their online store until March 14.

 LIFE IS PÂTISSIER is a takeout chocolate bakery that specialises in chocolate and baked confections. Some of their signature items include their pound cake and chocolate bonbons. They also serve sable biscuits, madeleines, and much more. They are based in Jiyugaoka, a neighbourhood in Meguro, Tokyo, where they enjoy plenty of customers both local and tourists. Due to the pandemic, they are currently operating entirely online.

LIFE IS PÂTISSIER White Day Gifts 2021

Leaf Caramel | ¥1,800 (Before Tax)

Crunchy chocolate caramel bites drizzled in even more sweet, melty caramel.

Macarons | ¥2,300 (Before Tax)

A rainbow-coloured collection of raspberry, pistachio, caramel, lemon, and chocolate macarons.

Madeleines (Contains 6) | ¥2,800 (Before Tax)

Refreshing madeleines made with a mix of Japanese and Italian lemons. Refrigerating them gives the outer icing a delicious crunchy texture.

Strawberry Milk Crunch | ¥900

Smashed cookies and caramel combined with strawberry chocolate and milk chocolate.

Special Box | ¥4,500 (Before Tax)

A very special collection of raspberry chocolate treats coated in dark chocolate.

Flower Swag | ¥3,200

A fragrant flower swag composed of an assortment of fresh flowers. Perfect for decorating walls and doors and overtime become dried flowers.

White Day Cards

LIFE IS PÂTISSIER is also offering White Day cards which people can couple with their gifts.

To promote the release of 20 new colourful packages of the popular Japanese gummy candy series Puré, Japanese sweets company Kanro released 20 videos on Tuesday (March 2) featuring popular YouTuber Asaginyo.

Asaginyo dresses up for a kaleidoscope of colourful Puré promos

The videos play to the tune of the famous Japanese 80’s track Koi no Jumon wa Suki Tokimeki to Kiss with original lyrics written for Puré. On mic is Asaginyo, a YouTuber and video and music producer. The videos, which were directed by another popular YouTuber by the name of Bunkei, can be watched over on Puré’s brand website.

And if you too want to learn the Tokimeki Puré Dance, head on over to Asaginyo’s TikTok page.

In 2018 and 2019, Japanese snack and confectionery brand Meiji held its own National Elections for its long-selling chocolate brands Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato. In 2019, Jun Matsumoto and Akihiro Miwa represented each of these chocolate snacks respectively by helming the Kinoko Party and Takenoko Party. People across Japan would listen to each side’s case and vote for which party, and therefore which chocolate, they liked the most.

The 2020 elections however took a different approach, instead spreading a message of love across Japan rather than a heated debate on which snack is better. The votes opened on September 15 last year and ran for four months where data was collected for each of Japan’s 47 prefectures to see where each snack was more popular in each part of the country.

The 2018 and 2019 elections saw an accumulative total of 26,518,982 votes submitted. People passionately made their cases for which snack they liked the most. For 2020, Meiji wanted to bring people together and cheer them up by holding a survey that was catered most towards understanding people’s love for their snacks.

Chiba hails as the place in Japan where Kinoko and Takenoko are most popular

46 of Japan’s prefectures saw more love poured for Takenoko in 2020. The remaining prefecture, Fukuoka, saw more love given to Kinoko.

The 2020 elections saw participation by 300,161 more people than previous years.

Illustrations drawn of Team Kinoko and Team Takenoko supporters

The survey ranked each prefecture by popularity, and special illustrations were drawn for four prefectures each where Kinoko and Takenoko were the most popular.

Survey Database

Meiji published the data breakdown which can be downloaded for free.

It contains a wealth of information related to what people voted for.

Have you tried either of these popular snacks? If you travel to Japan, be sure to pick them up at any convenience store near you.

The fresh juice season is back for spring at Dean & DeLuca cafes in Japan this year where they have a very special selection of drinks and desserts lined up for customers as well as an exclusive tumbler.

Creamy Italian maritozzi

Indulge in a tempting maritozzi this spring season which has a fluffy brioche bun stuffed loaded with fresh cream stuffed with sweet strawberries. This famous Italian delicacy is usually enjoyed in the morning but the addition of milky cream and tangy strawberries makes it a perfect dessert.

Every bite treats the taste buds to a combination of buttery brioche, melt-in-the-mouth cream, and a choice of either fresh cream and strawberries or fromage blanc and sweet and sour apricot jam.

Left: Maritozzi Strawberry ¥410 / Right: Maritozzi Apricot Jam & Fromage Blanc Cream ¥367

Serving: From March 1, 2021 while supplies last

Participating Market Branches: Shinagawa/Yurakucho/Shinjuku/Ebisu/Hiroo/Yaesu/atré Kawasaki/CIAL Tsurumi/Yokohama/Nagoya/Osaka

Participating Cafe Branches: All

A taste of spring with fresh strawberry juice

This year, Dean & DeLuca are serving up the “Strawberry & Fruit Tomato” smoothie which is made with freshly-picked whole strawberries and tomatoes. Tomatoes are generally seen as a summer vegetable, but the most delicious time to enjoy tomatoes grown in Japan is the spring season just like strawberries. The strawberries and tomatoes take on plenty of sugar content during the winter season which brings a rich sweetness best enjoyed right now.

The juice is prepared fresh for every order, with whole fruits put into a mixer and then served.

Left: Strawberry Juice ¥583 / Right: Strawberry & Fruit Tomato ¥605

Serving: From March 1, 2021 while supplies last

Participating Market Branches: Roppongi/Shinagawa/Yurakucho/Shinjuku/Ebisu/Hiroo/Yaesu/atré Kawasaki/CIAL Tsurumi/Yokohama/Nagoya/Osaka/AMU Plaza Hakata

Participating Cafe Branches: All

Spring-exclusive Strawberry Apple Pie

Japanese apple pie chain GRANNY SMITH APPLE PIE & COFFEE is also providing a seasonal strawberry and apple pie filled with in-house custard.

GRANNY SMITH APPLE PIE & COFFEE’s Strawberry Apple | ¥648

Serving: March 2, 2021 – April 30, 2021

Participating Cafe Branches: All (Except Yurakucho LUMINE STREET)

Enjoy spring with a spring-coloured tumbler

Dean & DeLuca’s popular tumblers return in seasonal colours and fitted with an airtight screw cap. They’re available in “Tokyo Pink” and “Charcoal Grey” colours.

Tumblers: ¥3,080 Each

Released: From March 1, 2021

Participating Cafe Branches: All

*Cafe-exclusive, not available for purchase online

Japanese company JO, which operates seven restaurants serving Japanese-style food in Japan, launched its new anko red bean paste dessert brand Ankoto on February 28. The brand’s first product to be released is the “Anko Cheesecake.” All products will be released via their online store.

The launch of Ankoto

Ankoto launched after seeing many people in Japan calling for their desire to eat the same kinds of high quality anko sweet red bean paste desserts that they can in restaurants at home. The brand aims to bring many different sweet treats to its menu in collaboration with various other brands and satisfy customers’ sweet-toothed needs.

Ankoto also hopes to create all-new desserts using anko, an ingredient loved by the Japanese for years.

High-quality anko used in all desserts

The bean paste is made by hand every day over a period of two hours by Ankoto’s bakers. They use specially-selected beans grown in Tokachi, Hokkaido. No bad stuff is put in Ankoto’s desserts, the naturally sweetness comes from the sugar beet used in the cooking process.

The First Release: Anko Cheesecake

Ankoto’s first dessert to be released is the Anko Cheesecake, a popular mix of sweet red bean paste and cheese. This dessert was perfected after much trial and error over the course of half a year where over 100 iterations were tested. It’s made using creamy, full-bodied Brie de Meaux, a cheese that’s been called the king of cheeses. This cheesecake is gluten-free, using absolutely no wheat, and has a fresh sweetness brought about by the sugar beet. It’s an addictive amalgamation of sweet and salty and contains no nasty additives.

Japanese cake company Priroll is celebrating White Day in Japan, the ‘sequel’ to Valentine’s Day, in collaboration with the popular TV anime series My Hero Academia with a collection of cakes and macarons.

There are seven sweet cakes to pick from which are baked with fruits such as peach and strawberry and finished with whipped cream or chocolate cream. There are also seven macaron sets which include chocolate, strawberry, pistachio, and orange flavours. These tasty treats are available from Priroll’s official website while supplies last.

White Day Cakes – ¥4,500 (Before Tax) / White Day Macarons 6 Set – ¥2,200 (Before Tax)

White Day day takes place in Japan annually on March 14, one month after Valentine’s Day, when people give reciprocal gifts to those who gifted them on Valentine’s Day. What better way to show your appreciation for your fellow anime-lover than with some sweet My Hero Academia love?

©堀越耕平／集英社・僕のヒーローアカデミア製作委員会

Benelic Co., Ltd. has announced the opening of a pop-up shop version of Doraemon Future Department Store, the world’s first official Doraemon shop, at Ginza Mitsukoshi in Tokyo from March 17.

Doraemon Future Department Store first opened back in December 2019 in Odaiba, Tokyo. Dedicated to the beloved manga and anime character Doraemon, the store has opened various pop-up shops across Japan including Fukuoka, Osaka, and Nagoya. The new pop-up shop will be the first to open in Tokyo and will be stocked with the usual fan must-grabs, items exclusive to the Odaiba shop, Ginza exclusives, pre-sales, and more.

Ginza Mitsukoshi Exclusives & Pre-Sales

1. The Exclusives

The Ginza Mitsukoshi pop-up shop will sell four exclusive items including a T-shirt, handy tote bag, and more.

The merchandise will feature an illustration based on the designs of the shopping bags given at Doraemon Future Department Store. Take a look below.

Ginza Mitsukoshi Exclusive T-Shirt (5 Colours) | ¥3,520 (Tax Included)

Sizes: S・M・L

Ginza Mitsukoshi Exclusive 2-Way Tote Bag | ¥2,860 (Tax Included)

2. The Presales

Fans can get their hands on pre-sales of 7 items in the “Flying to Department Store” series of kitchen, cookware, and other items, as well as 12 accessories that both kids and adults alike can enjoy.

Flying to Department Store Series – Kitchen Apron | ¥4,400 (Tax Included)

Flying to Department Store Series – 21cm Plate | ¥3,850 (Tax Included)

Doraemon & Dorami Back Earrings | ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

Customisation Service

The pop-up shop will offer a customisation service which lets customers have different embroideries put into the T-shirts, tote bags, and key rings. The work is done on the spot by hand so you can see the result of what will be a very special item of which only one exists in the world. Perfect for Doraemon fans and gifts to friends and family.

Freshly-Made Dorayaki

The Ginza Mitsukoshi pop-up shop will also serve freshly-baked dorayaki stamped with Doraemon’s cute face. They will be made in limited quantities each day.

Dorayaki | ¥290 (Tax Included)

Bonus Items For Spending

1. Every purchase at the Doraemon Future Department Store pop-up will earn customers a free sticker. These are available in limited quantities.

2. The first 300 people at the pop-up shop to take their receipts to the main Doraemon Future Department Store in Odaiba between March 17 and 29 will receive a different limited-edition free sticker.

Ginza Mitsukoshi Original Doraemon Sticker

Odaiba Doraemon Future Department Store Sticker

Nippon Animation’s 1995 anime series Romeo and the Black Brothers is opening four pop-up shops in Japan selling a variety of themed merchandise. And for every ¥3,000 spent at the shops, customers will receive a special shopping bag with a design from the series.

商品一覧

Original Shopping Bag

Epos Card Holders Exclusive Items

A-Prize: Canvas Board

B-Prize: Complete Postcard Set

C-Prize: One Postcard (6 Designs)

The Marui City Yokohama branch pop-up shop will also feature a special exhibition of illustrations, photos, and artwork that take a look back over scenes from the series.

To promote the upcoming anime film Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet which is set to released in Japan on April 16, 2021, seven themed cafes will open in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Sapporo from March 24. The cafe is themed on a retro diner which will transport fans back in time to diners inspired by America in the 1950s and 60s.

Main Visual

Bonus Items

RETRO AMERICAN DINER MENU

DETECTIVE BURGER/SNIPER BURGER/ZERO BURGER/BOYISH BURGER/SHERRY BURGER/OSUSOWAKE BURGER – ¥1,599 Each (Before Tax), +¥500 For Acrylic Key Ring

DETECTIVE SUNDAE/SNIPER SUNDAE/ZERO SUNDAE/BOYISH SUNDAE/SHERRY SUNDAE/OSUSOWAKE SUNDAE – ¥1,099 Each (Before Tax), +¥500 For Acrylic Key Ring

DETECTIVE SODA/SNIPER SODA/ZERO SODA/BOYISH SODA/SHERRY SODA/OSUSOWAKE SODA – ¥899 Each (Before Tax), +¥500 For Acrylic Key Ring

CONAN CAFE CLASSIC Menu

APTX-4869 TROPICAL LAND CURRY | ¥1,400 (Before Tax)

COLUMBO MINT SAUCE PASTA ¥1,499 / DELICIOUS TO DIE FOR RAMEN ¥1,099 / POIROT CAFE SANDWICH ¥1,399 (All Prices Before Tax)

AI’S BERRY CHEESE FRENCH TOAST ¥1,200 / RAN’S LEMON PIE ¥1,499 / HIROSHI AGASA’S “SHIPPAI JA” PANCAKES VER.2 ¥1,199 (All Prices Before Tax)

CRIMINAL’S BLACK SESAME STRAWBERRY AU LAIT ¥999 / CRIMINAL’S SOUVENIR MUG +¥1,400 (All Prices Before Tax)

LEFT’S CAFE LATTE ¥899 / YOUNG DETECTIVE SHAKE ¥1,099 / RAN’S BERRY JELLY SODA ¥999 (All Prices Before Tax)

LIMITED EVENT MENU

1st Menu: Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet Menu | April 16, 2021 – May 31, 2021

AKAI FAMILY BANQUET ¥1,499 / UNAGI’S KABAYAKI & TARE OKAWARI RICE ¥1,699 / SHUKICHI & YUMI’S DELICIOUS SHORTCAKE ¥1,399 / SCARLET OGURA STRAWBERRY TOAST ¥1,599 (All Prices Before Tax)

2nd Menu: Phantom Thief Kid & Aoyama Sensei’s Birthday Menu | June 1, 2021 – July 11, 2021

*Only available at Nagoya cafe from July 1-11

THE JEWEL GARDEN SALAD ¥1,499 / MAGIC SPICE PARFAIT ¥1,200 / AOYAMA-SENSEI BIRTHDAY CURRY ¥1,399 (All Prices Before Tax)

3rd Menu: Shuichi Akai Season 1 Menu | July 1, 2021 – August 15, 2021

4th Menu: Shuichi Akai Season 2 Menu | August 16, 2021 – September 26, 2021

*Menus 3 and 4 exclusive to Shinjuku and Umeda cafes

*Menus 3 and 4 are centred on the character Shuichi Akai

Original Merchandise

Pins (6 Designs) | ¥450 Each (Before Tax)

Acrylic Coasters (12 Designs) | ¥800 (Before Tax)

Mini Acrylic Stands (12 Designs) | ¥900 (Before Tax)

Acrylic Magnets (6 Designs) | ¥500 (Before Tax)

Folders (6 Designs) | ¥300 (Before Tax)

Bandanas (2 Designs) | ¥1,500 Each (Before Tax)

Eco Bag | ¥1,850 (Before Tax)

Chocolate Tin | ¥1,600 (Before Tax)

Fans can tuck into a Detective Conan-themed retro menu as well as get their hands on some exclusive merchandise featuring original chibi art.

Make sure you don’t miss Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet.

©青山剛昌／小学館・読売テレビ・TMS 1996

High-casual brand MOUSSY has collaborated with Disney to release the “Disney SERIES CREATED by MOUSSY.” The Spring/Summer 2021 collection dropped in Japan on Wednesday (February 24).

PALS TAPESTRY SH JKT | ¥34,980 (Tax Included)

PALS TAPESTRY SK | ¥19,910 (Tax Included)

MATCHING OUTFITS POJ | ¥8,250 (Tax Included)

ALWAYS COOL TSJ | ¥6,600 (Tax Included)

The collection combines 70s-80s vintage taste with a 90s street style to create a special retro fusion design. The items are crafted by Japanese artisans from the gobelin-stich fabric series PALS TAPESTRY and feature Minnie and Mickey Mouse in different attire including cute matching outfits.

©Disney

Marc Jacobs is set to open a tote bag pop-up shop in Ginza Mitsukoshi from March 3 to March 16.

THE MESH SMALL TRAVELER TOTE BAG: ¥33,000 (Before Tax) / THE MESH TRAVELER TOTE BAG ¥36,000 (Before Tax)

The pop-up shop will include pre-sales of the brand’s newly-updated mesh tote bags made from lightweight material. Each bag on show will feature playful designs in many variations such as shoulder bags, purses, and more.

MAISON CACAO, the company behind the aromatic raw chocolate brand of the same name, will open a store on floor B1F of JR Nagoya Takashimaya on March 3, 2021. It will be the brand’s first permanent shop in Japan’s Tokai region.

The company held a special Valentine’s event from late January to Valentine’s Day where MAISON CACAO made the second most sales. They also enjoyed other sold out products, and showcased some exclusive indulgences like the gold leaf-adorned “Aroma Raw Chocolate ARMOUR” and “Aroma Raw Chocolate STRAWBERRY” as well as the all-new “Cacao Butterland.”

The Nagoya Line-Up

Aroma Raw Chocolate AMOUR | ¥6,000 (Before Tax)

Exclusive to this new Nagoya branch of MAISON CACAO, these “AMOUR” chocolates are all handmade using techniques that have been passed down through the company. The dark chocolates are wrapped in luxurious gold leaf and have a fruity, sweet, and bitter combination. One box contains a generous serving of 16.

Cacao Butterland | ¥2,000 (Before Tax)

MAISON CACAO uses cacao beans from Columbia to bake its menu. These gooey treats are made with cacao butter and chocolate caramel with a double layering of dark and white chocolate. A rich and filling serving of six comes in a box.

Aroma Raw Chocolate STRAWBERRY | ¥2,200 (Before Tax)

Also a Nagoya-exclusive, these strawberry variants are made with intensely sweet JApanese amaou strawberries white combine with the fragrance cacao butter and white chocolate for a refreshing taste. You get 16 in a single box.

But Wait, There’s More…

Raw Chocolate Butter Cake | ¥3,500

A cake made with velvety chocolate butter cream packed with roasted nuts, raisins, and caramel chips.

Rich Raw Chocolate Tart STRAWBERRY | ¥2,000

Yet another exclusive to Nagoya, these crunchy tarts are lathered in amaou strawberry chocolate and filled with runny and fruity amaou strawberry cream. A box comes with three included.

Other Popular Goodies Available While Supplies Last

Aroma Raw Chocolate MAISON (Grape) | ¥2,400 (Before Tax)

Babka | ¥2100

Raw Gateau Chocolate | ¥2500 (Before Tax)