Shingo Katori, previously known as a member of the legendary boy band SMAP, will release his second studio album ‘Tokyo SNG’ on April 13, 2022. The release comes about two years after his last album, ‘20200101.’ 

 

The concept of the work is ‘jazz in a tuxedo.’ The band performs a wide range of jazz styles from standard style to big band, and to commemorate the release of the album, Katori and his incredible band will perform 24 shows at Meiji-za in Tokyo. 

 

‘Tokyo SNG’ features a total of 11 songs and includes guest appearances by Atarashii Gakko!, H ZETTRIO, Ai Higuchi, Gentle Forest Jazz Band, Takao Tajima, and WONK. Certain tracks were arranged by Yasuharu Konishi, and the English version of ‘Mack the Knife,’ a standard jazz number and 1999 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, is also covered brilliantly by Katori.

 

The song Tokyo SNG includes lyrics by Shutoku Mukai (ZAZEN BOYS), and Takarazuka Revue’s resident writer Takeshi Ota composed Michishirube, which also boasts lyrics written by Gekidan Hitori.

 

Comment from Shingo Katori

My new album ‘Tokyo SNG’ is complete! I like to play with different styles, and this time, I tried to wrap myself in jazz. I live in Tokyo, where so many things have been restricted. I wanted to try to lift people’s spirits with swing, so please enjoy it! Let’s smile together!

 

In accordance with Earth Day, which is set for April 22, Nestlé released its limited-time KitKat Mini Maple on Monday to raise awareness of environmental issues and the future of the planet.

KitKat Mini Maple (3 Included)

KitKat Mini Maple (12 Included)

9 packaging designs with different messages related to the environment

‘KitKat Always For Earth Day’ online talk event to take place on April 30

In September 2019, Nestlé began packaging five of its major large-sized KitKat bags in paper bags rather than plastic, and since autumn 2020, most of their large sized bags are now made from paper. This has helped reduce 450 tonnes of plastic per year.

 

Now, Nestlé is releasing a new collection of packages for Earth Day featuring original designs by up-an-coming young artist SUGI. Each features messages from members of MIMO, a group managed by Japanese model Mila Aina, stating messages about helping to protect the environment and the future of planet earth.

Japanese singer-songwriter AiNA THE END, who is also known as a member of the Japanese idol group BiSH, announced via her official Twitter page that her new single Dare Dare Dare (“Who Who Who”) will be released on music streaming and download services on February 23, 2021. The track will be used as the new opening theme for the ongoing TV Tokyo drama series Anonymous: Keishicho ”Yubisatsujin” Taisakushitsu starring Shingo Katori which began airing in January.

AiNA THE END

New Song – “Dare Dare Dare”

Dare Dare Dare is a new song not featured on AiNA THE END’s solo album THE END which dropped on February 3 this year. It is produced by Japanese music producer and arranger Seiji Kameda who also produced THE END.

 

AiNA teased the new single’s artwork on her official Twitter account along with a snippet of the instrumental version of the song.

A new Japanese drama series titled Anonymous: Keishicho ”Yubisatsujin” Taisakushitsu began airing on January 25, 2021. The show stars Shingo Katori in his first commercial broadcast for a drama series in five years. When the first episode dropped, the show’s name Anonymous trended on Japanese Twitter.

 

Earlier this week, Shingo Katori surprised everyone by releasing the main theme song for the series Anonymous (feat.WONK), which he sings, digitally on music streaming services including Spotify.

When the song was first broadcast, there was much speculation as to who the singer was on Japanese social media, with some having no idea and others saying it sounded a lot like Katori. Turns out it really was him to the surprise of fans.

When the second episode aired on February 1, the show’s official homepage went live and Katori updated his own personal social media pages with promos for the show. The song comes as his first music release in over year following the huge success of his album 20200101 which dropped on January 1, 2020 and made it to No. 1 on Japan’s Oricon charts. He wrote the song in collaboration with music group WONK. The song’s theme touches on seeing the light in a dark world and is sung in English.

Katori also released a music video for Anonymous (feat.WONK) earlier this week which is available to watch on his YouTube channel.

Amazon is set to release a new Amazon Original drama series entitled Dareka ga Miteiru (Somebody’s Watching) on Amazon Prime Video on September 18, 2020. The 8-episode series will drop worldwide.

The series was created by Kōki Mitani and Shingo Katori, two veterans in the Japanese entertainment industry. in collaboration with Amazon. Both will appear in the series, with Mitani as we’ve never been him before and Katori bringing humour to the screen.

 

The series will be released in over 240 countries and territories worldwide. In spite of the different language and culture of those who will watch it outside of Japan, they are sure to be entertained by both Katori’s character, who despite messing up all the time you still can’t hate them, and Mitani’s character, who will draw viewers in with all the happenings around him.

 

Katori spoke joyously of the series. “‘Dareka ga Miteiru’ is a really funny series, so I really want a lot of people to see it, even if they watch it by themselves. I’m super happy that the people of the world will get to see this.”

 

He continues: “And I hope Kōki Mitani’s character gains fans around the world who love him.”

 

To promote the series, the first two episodes will be premiered on YouTube and Twitter on September 12, and viewers around the world will be able to watch them with Katori and Mitani. You can set a reminder for the YouTube premiere below or follow the series on Twitter.

 

YouTube Live Premiere

 

In the series, Katori Shingo’s character is a klutz, and so their neighbour’s sister comes up with the idea to film everything in secret and upload it to YouTube to make him popular. Check out the trailer below, which showcases the full cast of characters played by some huge names in Japan, as well as plenty of comical moments.

 

“Dareka ga Miteiru” Trailer

 

If you’re looking for a laugh, then be sure to check out this series created by Kōki Mitani and Shingo Katori, both of whom have brought comedy to Japan in films, drama series, and theatre shows.

 

© 2020 Amazon Content Services LLC

Nestlé Japan is opening a new branch of KitKat Chocolatory inside Shibuya’s new shopping mall Miyashita Park on August 4, 2020.

KitKat Chocolatory is a direct-to-consumer chain, serving premium, handcrafted KitKats made with top quality ingredients and production methods under full direction by Takagi Yasumasa―the owner and chef of LE PATISSIER TAKAGI. Its product line-up features a range perfect as gifts to friends, family and co-workers, or as a treat to yourself.

 

Japan is home to eight KitKat Chocolatory branches. The new Miyashita Park Shibuya branch will open as the fourth in Tokyo, as well as the first where you can create your own KitKat products.

My KITKAT: ¥2,000 (Before Tax)

“My KITKAT” comes as the world’s first KitKat service where consumers can create their own original chocolate bars.

KitKat Waffle: ¥1,000 (Before Tax)

KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Soft Cream: ¥630 (Before Tax)

KitKat Chocolatory Miyashita Park Shibuya will also sell a variety of unique and exclusive KitKat desserts, like luxurious soft serve ice cream topped with couverture chocolate. It will also offer a cafe menu created by Nespresso, where customers can pair Chocolatory desserts with seasonal coffee menus, and more.

Shibuya-esque wall art will decorate the interior of the shop, making for plenty of photo opportunities.

Nestlé Japan is collaborating with popular Japanese illustrator Misaki Tanaka to release a new series of chocolate packaging on April 15 at KitKat Chocolatory. The concept behind the packaging is to have people choose the chocolate they want based on the words and pictures branded on the single chocolate boxes.

 

The KitKat Chocolatory is a direct-to-consumer chain, serving premium, handcrafted KitKats made with top quality ingredients and production methods under full direction by Takagi Yasumasa―the owner and chef of LE PATISSIER TAKAGI. Its luxurious line is endless, with products ranging from the elusive ruby chocolate, whose cocoa beans give the finish product its pink colour, to volcanic chocolate made from rare cocoa beans sourced from volcanic islands.

KitKat Mekakushi Chocolatory – ¥300~¥400 (Before Tax)

There are 15 different package designs in total which will be sold for a limited time. None of the boxes have information of the flavour or name of the chocolates; instead you pick which you want based on how the packaging looks. They make for a great gift to yourself and others.

The words chosen on the packaging reflect the feelings one goes through in love or everyday life. Misaki Tanaka has provided the perfect illustrations to better picture those times.

KitKat Mekakushi Chocolatory Full Box (15 Included) – ¥5,100 (Before Tax)

Those who want all of the flavours can purchase the assorted box of 15. The box lid features another original illustration by Miskai Tanaka. And if you roll up to KitKat Chocolatory Ginza between April 15 and May 17, they will have a special exhibition of the illustrations on show.

The new “KitKat Mini Yogurt Sake” will be released on March 16, 2020. It is made with a famous brand of sake known as “Chonoko Jersey Yogurt Sake,” which is made by Niizawa Sake Brewery, a company in Miyagi Prefecture produced by Hidetoshi Nakata.

Japan’s KitKat product line-up is popular around the world, so much so that they are often recognised as “KitKats made in Japan.” Hidetoshi Nakata is known for pouring his strength into spreading the word of Japan’s traditional industry around the world. He has also visited around 400 sake breweries across Japan. To date, he has collaborate with KitKat on around 20 chocolate bars, all made with local sake, and all of which have been top sellers. These products are helping to promote the prefectures of Toyama, Wakayama, and Kochi.

Niizawa’s Sake Brewery’s “Chonoko Jersey Yogurt Sake” was released to help in the recovery efforts of the Tohoku Earthquake. “Yogurt Sake” has a short shelf life, and so it is a necessary requirement that it is shipped in refrigeration under 5℃ to preserve it. Because of this, the number of places it is sold at in Japan is limited, and it is also difficult to export overseas, making it a very rare type of sake. The milk comes from Jersey cattle which is used to make the milk. It’s combined with alcohol powder of the yogurt sake for the KitKat Mini. The chocolate bar has a refreshing sourness and rich flavour.

KitKat is sold in over 100 countries worldwide. This new flavour creates the opportunity for more people around the world to try yogurt sake when they are buying KitKats in Japan.

Speaking about the collaboration, Hidetoshi Nakata said: “I began with nihonshu, then went onto umeshu, then yuzushu. For the fourth one, I wanted to get people knowing about new possibilities when it comes to a Japanese sake that is not yet known around the world. So I chose Chonoko Jersey Yogurt Sake which is made by Niizawa Sake Brewery in Miyagi Prefecture. The yogurt in the sake has a bitterness and sweetness, which balances perfectly with the refreshing taste of the nihonshu. It’s a delicious sake that Japan can boast about, one which can be enjoyed whenever and by anyone. The sweetness of the chocolate comes together with the bitterness of the yogurt sake. We have created something that doesn’t taste just like yogurt, but yogurt sake.”

 

He continues: “Because there is a possibility the Chonoko Jersey Yogurt Sake will ferment and the bottles break during transportation, it can only be distributed to places within Japan where it can be shipped below 5 degrees at this moment in time. It’s this very reason that its delicious taste cannot be enjoyed around the world that I want people to know about Chonoko Jersey Yogurt Sake through KitKat, and also get people knowing about new possibilities of Japanese sake.”

McDonald’s Japan has teamed up with Nestlé Japan to release a KitKat® McFlurry®. It was released on Wednesday at all McDonald’s branches in Japan.

It has been seven years since McFlurry® and KitKat® came together in their delicious chocolatey ice cream combination. It was such a hit back in 2007 that it has finally made its fabled return to the delight of sweet-tooth McDonald’s customers.

 

The KitKat® McFlurry® is a simple combination of smooth soft serve ice cream and crushed KitKat®. It’s also drizzled in a special sauce made from rich couverture chocolate.

The mix of the wafer-like chocolate KitKat® with the soft serve ice cream is a combination to die for, and the sauce only adds to the mouth-watering flavour.

 

The dessert will be served in limited-edition cups as pictured above. These cups are limited in stock and will discontinue once all are sold.

Christmas is over, and Easter is still on the horizon, but if you love chocolate as much as we do, never fearーas our sweet tooth cravings will soon be satisfied with the season of love.

 

In Japan, shop’s and restaurant’s are already carving their Cupid arrows to fire at customers for Valentine’s Day to tempt them into one of their many tantalising treats. If you’re in Japan this year, we’ve whipped up a list just for you of five must-buy gifts for Valentine’s Day 2020.

 

Garrett Popcorn

Almond Chocolate Truffle | Garrett Valentine’s Tin | Valentine’s Mix

Garrett Popcorn is an American brand of popcorn that boasts a myriad of gourmet handcrafted popcorn flavours. You may not know that it’s also a household name in Japan, where they also make the popcorn fresh every day for snack-hungry customers. For Valentine’s, they serving up an exclusive series full of love which consists of the “Almond Chocolate Truffle,” “Garrett Valentine’s Tin,” and “Valentine’s Mix.”

Almond Chocolate Truffle in Garrett Valentine’s Tin – From ¥1,130

First up, the Almond Chocolate Truffle. If you’re not already drooling at that name, let the description begin: this popcorn takes Garrett’s crushed almond CaramelCrisp™️, coats it in chocolate, and sprinkles it generously with a dust storm of cocoa powder. The fragrant scent and texture of the almonds adds an incredible touch to the combination of the sweet, velvety milk chocolate and the slightly-bitter bite of the cocoa powder. Get in the Valentine’s mood even more by purchasing one of the Garrett Valentine’s Tin – the perfect accompaniment to your movie night in with your loved one.

Valentine’s Mix (Chocolate Cocoa & Strawberry) – ¥1,200

Valentine’s Mix (Chocolate Cocoa & White Chocolate Bark) – ¥1,200

Last year, Garrett Popcorn release a cute heart-shaped tin big enough to fit in the palm of your hands. 2020 will see the return of the tin, this time with two different designs: one with kissing lips and the other with hearts.

 

Inside the first tin is a mix of sweet chocolate cocoa flavoured CaramelCrisp™️ and sour freeze-dried strawberries. The other tin, which has a more sophisticated chocolate brown and salmon pink design, contains the same cocoa flavoured CaramelCrisp™️ but combines it with “white chocolate bark” – a white chocolate made with almonds and dried cranberries.

 

▶︎Garrett Popcorn Valentine’s Day Products

Running: January 10, 2020 – February 14, 2020 (Mix available from January 17, 2020) *While supplies last

Prices:
・Almond Chocolate Truffle: Small ¥620/Medium ¥1,100/Large ¥1,720/Jumbo ¥3,450/Quart Tin ¥1,750/1 Gallon ¥4,400/2 Gallons ¥8,400
・Garrett Valentine’s Tin/Quart Tin: From ¥1,130
・Valentine’s Mix: ¥1,200
Available: Garrett Popcorn Shops®︎ branches in Japan
Official Website: http://jpgarrettpopcorn.com/

 

KitKat Chocolatory

Ruby 2020 Assortment

KitKat Chocolatory is releasing a new assortment of KitKat treats for the Valentine’s season in Japan made with ruby chocolateーthe fourth type of chocolate alongside milk, white, and darkーwhich was developed by Belgian-Swiss chocolate makers Barry Callebaut.

KitKat Chocolatory Ruby 2020 Assortment – ¥1,200

Ruby chocolate gets its striking pink colour from the original bean and has a distinct fruity sourness to it. This is the perfect Valentine’s Day giftーor even just as a treat to yourself!

 

▶︎KitKat Chocolatory Ruby 2020 Assortment

Price: ¥1,200
Running: from January 15, 2020
Available: KitKat Chocolatory store/Online
Official Website: https://nestle.jp/brand/kit/chocolatory/

 

GODIVA

Valentine’s Collection

GODIVA, one of the main players in the Japanese chocolate game, has developed the “Chocolate Chronicle Sweet Collection”ーan assortment of individually unique chocolates. The “chronicle” refers to the many places the chocolates have encountered since being created, both in the past and present.

Chocolate Chronicle Sweetheart (Contains 6) – ¥3,240

Chocolate Chronicle Chic Assortment (Contains 15) – ¥6,264

 

▶︎GODIVA Valentine’s Collection 2020

Running: from January 10, 2020 (Limited Time)
Prices:
Chocolate Chronicle Sweetheart: 6 Set ¥3,240/12 Set ¥5,400
Chocolate Chronicle Chic Assortment: 4 Set ¥1,296/6 Set ¥2,160/10 Set ¥3,240/16 Set ¥5,400
Chocolate Chronicle Sweet Kare Assortment: 6 Set ¥1,080
Chocolate Chronicle Chic Collection: 4 Set ¥1,836/6 Set ¥2,700/9 Set ¥3,888/12 Set ¥5,076/15 Set ¥6,264/20 Set ¥8,208
Official Website: https://www.godiva.co.jp/

 

 

Koi Suru Chocolate

Valentine’s Collection 2020

The base of these treats is chocolate by Shiroi Koibito. The collection was first released in January 2018 and is very reminiscent of Hokkaido chocolate. There are lots of chocolates in the collection made with cute pink ruby chocolate too.

Mille-feuille (Contains 3) – ¥520

These mille-feuille are layered with milk and white chocolate and coated in things like couverture chocolate and ruby chocolate.

The Heart (Contains 7) – ¥1,080

Each of these hearts has its own distinct sauce: the ruby chocolate has blackcurrant, the milk chocolate has caramel, and the white chocolate has yuzu.

 

▶︎Koi Suru Chocolate Valentine’s Collection 2020

Release Date: January 17, 2020
Available: ISHIYA store/Online
Prices:
Mille-feuille: 3 Set ¥540/6 Set ¥1,080/12 Set ¥2,160
The Heart: 7 Set ¥1,080/14 Set ¥2,160
Official Website: http://www.ishiya.co.jp/koi_choco/

 

Morozoff

Valentine’s Dessert Plate

Morozoff specialises in western-style sweets, and at Cafe Morozoff, they’re serving up a Valentine’s-only dessert.

Valentine’s Dessert Plate – ¥1,200

The beautiful dessert plate is an assortment of cute heart-shaped treats. The rich chocolate mousse has an orange scent, and the fluffy chocolate sponge combines sweet and sour strawberries with smooth whipped cream which elevate the flavour of the chocolate.

 

▶︎Morozoff Valentine’s Dessert Plate

Running: January 15, 2020 – February 14, 2020

Available: select Cafe Morozoff branches in Japan
Price: ¥1,200 (comes with tea or coffee)
Official Website: http://www.morozoff.co.jp/

 

Did you enjoy this list? There’s plenty of Valentine’s Day delights to be enjoyed while in Japan. Which on this list has you drooling the most?

Nestlé has unveiled a new chocolate recipe that replaces added sugar with cacao pulp. Japan, famous for its exciting range of Kit Kat flavours, adopted the new recipe to create the first cacao fruit chocolate Kit Kat. The Kit Kat was released for sale at the Kit Kat Chocolatory and online on November 29, 2019.

The Kit Kat Chocolatory sells premium-quality Kit Kats made and from a careful selection of ingredients and by a special production method. The process is overlooked by Yasumasa Takagi, the chocolatier who owns LE PATISSIER TAKAGI.

Whether your’re looking for a unique Japanese souvenir for your friends and family, something small yet luxurious for your work colleagues or even just a petite treat for yourself, the Kit Kat Chocolatory’s popular range caters for every souvenir situation.

The new Cacao Fruit Chocolate Kit Kat uses Nestlé’s new cacao pulp recipe. Cacao pulp is the white substance surrounding the cacao beans inside the fruit. It is dried and pulverised into a fine powder to be used as a replacement for sugar. By infusing cacao pulp into the chocolate, the chocolate flavour can be tasted more fully, making for a new and exciting flavour experience.

Many people are unaware of the unique sweet and tangy flavour of the cacao fruit’s soft and fleshy insides. Part of the cacao pulp is normally used as a sugar to ferment cacao beans in a normal chocolate-making process. However, it is still not widely sold as a flavour.

Brazil and many other cacao-producing Latin American countries use cacao pulp to make drinks and smoothies that are easy to produce. It is also seen as an ingredient in ice creams. Some businesses have jumped on the appeal of cacao as a rarely used ingredient to make and export cacao juice. Other than this, usage of cacao pulp has remained low for a long time.

 

Under Takagi’s guidance, a new Kit Kat has arrived at the chocolatory which spreads not only the appeal of cacao as a natural sugar and flavouring, but also encourages sustainable living through reduced food waste.

 

Come try a Kit Kat made with cacao pulp for yourself.

Sendai is famous for zunda mochi: a traditional dessert that fuses boiled mochi (rice cakes) and zunda (sweet edamame bean paste). The zunda mochi shop Zunda Saryo is collaborating with Nestlé to create a Kit Kat Mini with the regional flavour “Zunda Saryo Shake”, which will be released on December 1 at a number of shops including souvenir shops around Sendai Station and Sendai Airport, and selected KASHO SANZEN shops*

*(Omachi  Hirose-dōri, Koji Matsushima and Monzen Matsushima) 

Zunda Saryo spreads the delicious flavour of zunda across Japan through their variety of zunda-flavoured desserts and drinks. The Zunda Shake is an original drink made by fusing carefully selected milk with vanilla and then blending it with zunda to create an original sweet shake to represent Sendai. Kit Kat’s crispy wafers add texture to the layers of smooth chocolate, producing a divine flavour. Japan is home to more than 40 different Kit Kat flavours which are popular within Japan and overseas. 20 of those are from Japan’s regional flavour series, which is a collaboration with a regional specialty. 

Foreigners and even Japanese visitors from other parts of the country will have never seen this new flavour before. The new Kit Kat Mini Zunda Shake flavour is sure to be the best way to experience the flavours of the region. 

 

The cream filling is kneaded with edamame powder and sandwiched between crispy wafers. The Kit Kat is coated in Zunda shake-flavoured chocolate, creating the perfect Kit Kat flavour.  

 

Whether you’re looking for a small snack or a souvenir, the Zunda Shake Kit Kat is perfect for you.