Starting January 8, Tokyu Hands stores in Tokyo are holding a special Valentine’s Day event called Chocolino Chocoliya featuring a variety of sweets! These aren’t just for giving to your sweetheart, but are perfect for friends and family too.

Products at a Glance

Tokyo Zoological Gardens Association / Ueno Zoo
Panda Set with Petit Gaufre & Chocolate Crunch: ¥1,188 (Tax Included) / Panda Baked Cookies: ¥997 (Tax Included)

Urusei Yatsura
Tote Bag: ¥1,760 (Tax Included) / Mug: ¥1,760 (Tax Included) / Star Chocolate: ¥486 (Tax Included)
Chocolate Assortment (5 pieces): ¥756 (Tax Included) / Chocolate Assortment (15 pieces): ¥1,620 (Tax Included)

Merry Chocolate Company
Merry Candy Chocolate Box: ¥378 each (Tax Included) / Assortment: ¥1,944 (Tax Included) 

 Mint Style

30-piece Handmade Kit Series: ¥1,620 each (Tax Included)

Mint Style

Make-at-Home Kit Series: ¥697 (Tax Included) 

Sumikko Gurashi

Silicon Mold Series: ¥935 (Tax Included)

This year’s project includes confections that can only be purchased at the Ueno Zoo, where twin baby pandas were recently born. Chocolates with retro-style packaging and those with motifs from popular anime series will also be available, so be sure to swing by and have a look!

McDonald’s locations across Japan are now offering Curious George and Sumikko Gurashi Happy Meals for a limited time!

The Curious George set features six different toys that can be assembled and controlled by turning the gears. This year’s theme is inspired by creativity, shape recognition, and teaching children how things work. When the colorful gears on the toy are turned, the force is transmitted to the swing, Ferris wheel, seesaw, and other items, causing George to swing and spin! The first set of toys include ‘George’s Seesaw,’ featuring George and the Man in the Yellow Hat, and ‘George’s Swing,’ featuring George happily swinging back and forth. The second set will include ‘George’s Ferris Wheel’ and ‘George’s Rocket Ride.’

The Sumikko Gurashi includes six kinds of puzzles decorated with illustrations of popular characters. The theme of these toys is color and shape recognition, imagination, and communication. The front side of each puzzle shows Sumikko and Minikko, and the backside displays an illustration of a story related to a particular Sumikko character. By putting the pieces together one by one, children develop their ability to recognize shapes and move their fingers with increased dexterity. The inside of the case that comes with the puzzle is decorated with stories about Sumikko and her friends. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Sumikko Gurashi, a new character called ‘Deshi’ will appear on the case as well, and by scanning the QR code on the back of the case, customers can play an original mini-game!

From January 8 until January 10, participating locations will also be giving away Curious George and Sumikko Gurashi stickers with the purchase of each set.

Mister Donut locations nationwide are now selling products from the ‘misdo meets Wittamer’ collection, developed in collaboration with the Belgian royal patisserie brand Wittamer. These tasty treats will be available at participating shops until late February. 

Since 2017, under the brand slogan “Good Things Come to Mister Donut,” the brand has collaborated with a number of companies from around the world to invigorate its already delicious selection of sweets. To start 2022, the beloved donut chain is teaming up with Wittamer to bring their ‘Chocolat Samba’ and ‘Praline Chocolat’ to customers throughout Japan.

The newly-developed chocolate donut batter is made by applying the same method to make cakes to donuts, creating a light mouthfeel very much like taking a bite of chocolate cake. By combining it with ganache cream and whip, the flavor becomes even richer. It might be difficult to take a bite of something so beautiful, but if you’re near a Mister Donut, you should give these a try before they’re gone!

misdo meets Wittamer Collaboration

Chocolat Samba: ¥200 (Without Tax)
The donut’s chocolate dough is covered with ganache cream and filled with ganache whip. Pay close attention to the glossy texture inspired by the Chocolat Samba cake.

Chocolat Hazlenut: ¥200 (Without Tax)
Covered in graham cracker hazelnut cream and filled with ganache whip, the cocoa powder on top takes the flavor to new heights.

Chocolat Caramel: ¥200 (Without Tax)
Caramel mocha cream and ganache blend together with caramel chocolate and nuts for a decadent and luxurious treat.

Chocolat Blueberry: ¥200 (Without Tax)
Chocolate dough and blueberry jam blend seamlessly with ganache cream. Topped with raspberry-flavored chocolate flakes, this is a showstopper.

Japan-based chocolate specialty store Minimal is now offering a limited-edition set of gateau chocolates with fresh strawberries from Mei Strawberries in Kagawa Prefecture. These are available for preorder and are perfect for Valentine’s Day!

These sweets were a huge hit last year, selling out immediately. The rare variety of strawberries used is only found in 1 percent of Japanese strawberry farms, and these are blended with milk cream and specialty chocolate. 

The strawberry jam found on the top of each chocolate piece is made from these rare Nyohou strawberries.  Originally a small-grained variety, the Nyohou varietals send from Mei Strawberries in Kagawa Prefecture are larger with a beautiful dark-red color. Fragrant, juicy, and sweet, they also have a slight acidity that provide a more complex flavor.

To maximize the natural strawberry flavor, the chocolate is made from Madagascar cocoa beans with a more berry-like flavor. Only slightly roasted, the graininess is intact, leaving a more powerful and rich flavor. A milky sweet cream has also been added to the center to provide a better balance.

This is the second year that the company has worked with these strawberries from Mei, and after making a number of prototypes, Minimal has found the best possible way to express these unique flavors in harmony. 

MINI SOF, a shop specializing in soft-serve ice cream since 1980, is now offering products in collaboration with the popular Sanrio character My Melody! A limited number of sweets and goodies will be available until January 31, 2022, with New Year grab bags containing special coupons for sale until January 9, 2022.

W Rich Soft-Serve Ice Cream

My Melody Collaboration Campaign

2022 Lucky Bag

Blanket

Desktop Calendar

Tote Bag

Soft-Serve Vanilla Ice Cream (with Strawberries and Chocolate) with Original Glass

Pink

Purple

Double Rich Strawberry Waffle Cone Soft-Serve with My Melody Collaboration Sleeve

Sleeve Design 1

Sleeve Design 2

Sleeve Design 3

Double Rich Strawberry Shortcake

My Melody Original Pouch

Design 1

Design 2

My Melody Original Keychain

Acrylic Keychain Design 1

Acrylic Keychain Design 2

Participating Characters

My Melody

Kuromi

My Sweet Piano

McDonald’s Japan locations with McCafe by Barista installations will begin selling the Cookies & Cream Frappe for a limited time starting December 8, 2021. The McCafe by Barista corner employs full-time baristas serving ‘authentic cafe coffee.’ 

McCafe by Barista invites guests to enjoy high-quality frappuccinos and smoothies and these locations are offering three unique Frappes this winter. Following the Strawberry Creme Brulee Frappe and normal Creme Brulee Frappe released in late November, the Cookies & Cream Frappe will release soon, filled with rich vanilla sweetness!

Cookies & Cream Frappe Medium: ¥470 / Large: ¥540 (Tax Included) 

The drink is a rich blend of creamy vanilla made from Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans, blended with crunchy Oreo cookie bits and topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. What’s not to love?

Each winter, McDonald’s Japan releases the wildly popular Gratin Croquet Burger, or Gurakoro for short. Starting December 1, this year’s iteration of the popular sandwich will be available at shops nationwide. This time, it’s the Angus Beef Bolognese Gurakoro, blending a creamy croquette with ripe tomatoes and stewed coarse-ground Angus beef Bolognese. 

The Gurakoro burger is made with a creamy white sauce blended with shrimp and macaroni, combined with cabbage and a special spicy croquette sauce. Basically, it tastes a lot like macaroni and cheese on a bun! Crispy on the outside and velvety on the inside, it’s a dish that’s perfect to warm you up after a long day in the winter cold. The new TV commercial for the Gurakoro features actress Mikako Tabe, and the theme is ‘let’s warm up the year.’ 

How would you like to give one of these a try?

McDonald’s Japan will be offering up a particularly tasty treat for the winter holidays! Starting November 24, the chain will release the Strawberry Creme Brulee Frappuccino for a limited time at stores featuring a McCafe by Barista corner. These locations employ full-time baristas serving ‘authentic cafe coffee.’ 

McCafe by Barista invites guests to enjoy high-quality frappuccinos and smoothies, and this winter, there are plenty of dessert-like additions to the menu. This Strawberry Creme Brulee Frappuccino is the first in the new lineup, combining strawberries and the annual winter staple, the Creme Brulee Frappuccino. 

Strawberry Creme Brulee Frappuccino Medium: ¥470 / Large: ¥540

Creme Brulee Frappuccino Medium: ¥470 / Large: ¥540

This new release has a base mixture of rich milk and creme brulee syrup, blended with sweet and sour strawberry sauce with crushed strawberries, fluffy creme brulee whipped cream, and thinly baked crushed cookies, all topped with a bittersweet caramel sauce. 

Truffles aren’t something most people eat every day, but TRUFULL TOKYO wants to change that. The casual truffle brand wants to combine this luxury ingredient with simple dishes to make it easier to chow down on this tasty treat more often, and now, their first product release has been announced! TRUFULL ICE CREAM, playfully created by a French chef, aims to give people a new view of what food can be.

The truffles aren’t the only thing that makes this ice cream special. The milk used to create it is gathered at Zao Provence Farm in Miyagi prefecture in the morning and processed the exact same day! After the ice cream is made, it is mixed with plenty of French black truffles, making a flavor like no other. 

The upscale TRUFULL ICE CREAM, a perfect dessert for the discerning adult, is available at CARBON COFFEE in Fukuoka. 

McDonald’s Japan has just released a tasty new treat for winter! The Black Thunder Winter Lightning McFlurry, a collaboration with the popular chocolate bar Black Thunder, is now available at participating locations nationwide. 

This popular collaboration firsts appeared in 2017 and is now available in winter for the first time. Even though the weather is chilly, it’s impossible not to want to eat this unique blend of dark and white chocolate. The sugar rush is sure to get you through the day!

Black Thunder Winter Lightning McFlurry: ¥290 (Tax Included) 

Smooth soft-serve ice cream is mixed with Black Thunder incused cocoa cookies and plain cookies, then topped with two types of chocolate sauce. What’s not to love about this blend of textures and flavors? Be sure to grab one before they disappear at the end of November!

The original roll ice cream speciality store ROLL ICE CREAM FACTORY will be collaborating with anime Love Live! Superstar!! for a limited time between September 25 and October 21 2021, available at eight stores nationwide. During the event, you will be able to buy character themed roll ice cream, drinks, and original merchandise. The collaboration start date varies by store.

Liella! themed roll ice cream

Drinks

Original goods

Social media campaign

Free original coasters (randomly picked from 12 designs)

Roll Ice Cream Factory is a dessert and roll ice specialty store from New York that opened in Harajuku in 2017. It’s delicious and colourful, attracting plenty of customers with their products – the longest queue recorded by the shop was seven hours long!

Love Live! Superstar!!, which is based on Harajuku, is now collaborating with the Harajuku-Omotesando store Roll Ice Cream Factory. The multimedia project is the latest from the Love Live! School Idol series, with an anime airing every Sunday on NHK E TV from July 2021. This new collaboration is based on the theme colors and favorite foods of five Love Live! Superstar!! members, with a menu of limited roll ice cream and drinks available to order. From strawberry and vanilla to matcha, there is plenty of variety in the special menu. Each ice cream and cold drink comes with a collaboration pick.

For people thinking “I can’t eat that much at once,” vouchers are available to purchase which allow you to buy collaboration merchandise at any time throughout the campaign. In addition to the cold drinks, two hot drinks will be available for takeout and served in collaboration takeout bags. If you’re feeling chilly, these drinks will warm you right up! You will also be offered a fun themed coaster to use during the campaign. A free collaboration coaster will be provided with every item on the collaboration menu, picked randomly from 12 designs. A selection of limited goods are also available in store and a social media campaign to win collaboration posters is currently ongoing, so be sure to check it out.

Here’s something you can only find in Japan: starting September 29, McDonald’s locations throughout the country will add three new tasty sandwiches wrapped in rice buns to the menu for a limited time! These include the Gohan Chicken Filet with Garlic and Black Pepper, the Gohan Shrimp Filet with Spicy Sauce, and the Gohan Teriyaki Burger!

Each sandwich features a fluffy bun made entirely from domestically-grown rice and will be sold after 5 PM as part of the Yoru Mac (Night Mac) menu. Items on this late-night menu offer customers one special perk: any amount of meat can be doubled for only ¥100! Originally introduced in 2020, these burgers were a smash hit, mixing a traditional Japanese staple with western flavors. 

Gohan Chicken Filet with Garlic and Black Pepper: ¥410

Gohan Shrimp Filet with Spicy Sauce: ¥440

Guests are sure to enjoy each of these two brand-new menu items. The Chicken Filet features a garlic and black pepper sauce, while the Shrimp Filet is filled with plump shrimp cutlets with a spicy red-pepper-based glaze. 

A new series of ads for the new products starring popular actors Satoshi Tsumabuki and Jun Shison will begin airing on September 28. 

Gohan Burger ‘Rice Farmers/Episode 1’ – 30-second ad

More new additions to the Gohan Burger lineup are expected in late October, so keep an eye out! Would you like to try one of these the next time you’re in Japan?