Mirume Shinryoku Sabo is a new cafe and tea-lover paradise that opened in Nagoya on May 10, 2021, serving high quality bottled Japanese tea, desserts, and other delicious delights.

Daifuku : Eat-In ¥250 (Tax Included)

Ise Tea Sweet Bean Jelly: Eat-In ¥250 / Store ¥500 (Tax Included)

Ise Tea Cheesecake: Eat-In ¥350 / Store ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Mirume Shinryoku Sabo is the newest cafe to be opened by Shinryoku Sabo, an award-winning tea company in Mie Prefecture. The cafe’s tea experience includes using a kyuusu, which is a type of small teapot, to brew Isecha green tea. Customers can learn the best way to prepare tea from an in-house instructor of Japanese tea, who will also provide backstory on the tea leaves used. Their deliciously brewed cup can be paired with a variety of desserts like daifuku, maju, cheesecake, and more.

The cafe also sells the “Morning Bottle,” its signature bottled cold-brew tea which is prepared on the day in the early morning. Bottles can be returned to the cafe to be reused, allowing for no waste. Since the tea is cold-brewed, it also contains little caffeine.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical released a 30-second video titled “Netsunarero” on their official YouTube channel on May 6 announcing Hatsune Miku and members of Leo/need from the Project Sekai Colorful Stage ft. Hatsune Miku mobile game as the official ambassadors for the Japanese sports drink Pocari Sweat.

The importance of “Netsunare”

The video stresses the importance of netsunare – sweating in order to get used to the heat during summer. Leading the promoting of this message is Hatsune Miku who is followed by Leo/need, MEIKO, Mirai Akari, Fuji Aoi, and YuNi. The video features the original song Waiting for Clear Weather created by Orangestar for the Project Sekai Colorful Stage ft. Hatsune Miku mobile game. The popular track has been streamed over 1.9 million times as of April 2021.

The Character Line-Up

Since December 2019, Otsuka Pharmaceutical has appointed Hatsune Miku, MEIKO, Leo/need, MEIKO, Mirai Akari, Fuji Aoi, YuNi, and other familiar faces as official ambassadors for Pocari Sweat to spread information on how to overcome Japan’s hot summer weather to the world. It is part of the beyond2020 project which Otsuka describes: “With an eye to 2020 and beyond, this cultural program will contribute to the creation of a legacy befitting a maturing society that will make the next generation proud, through Japan’s strength which consists of its local and diverse culture.”

Leo/need from Project Sekai Colorful Stage ft. Hatsune Miku

Project Sekai Colorful Stage ft. Hatsune Miku is a mobile game for iOS/Android. The members of Leo/need include guitarist and vocalist Ichika Hoshino, keyboardist Saki Tenma, drummer Honami Mochizuki, and bassist Shino Hinomori. They will release their first single on June 9, 2021.

Twitter Campaign

Otsuka Pharmaceutical is also holding a Twitter campaign in Japan as part of the promotion where 200 random people can win a box of seven 500ml Pocari Sweat bottles for cooling down in the summer heat.

How to Sign Up

Step 1: Follow Pocari Sweat on Twitter @pocarisweat_jp

Step 2: Retweet or quote any of Pocari Sweat’s posts featuring the hashtag #ネツナレろ (“Netsunarero”)

Running: May 6, 2021 – May 19, 2021 (Japan Only)

Campaign Site: https://pocarisweat.jp/action/pocarimiku/netsunarero/

© SEGA / © CP / © CPM / © Mirai Akari Project / © YuNi / © Fuji Aoi

Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is welcoming Häagen-Dazs through its doors who have prepared a very special dessert buffet for the hotel’s “Summer Trip with Häagen-Dazs” service. The sweet treat line-up will be served from June 1 to September 30 along with a range of savoury foods from around the world – an inviting prospect to those unable to travel during the pandemic.

Sweets Collection with Häagen-Dazs ~Ice Cream Holic~ | General ¥4,800, Children (Aged 4-12)

The first entry to the Summer Trip with Häagen-Dazs is the “Sweets Collection with Häagen-Dazs ~Ice Cream Holic~” dessert buffet. To protect customers, all desserts are ordered and served like a course rather than going to pick up the food yourself. This marks the third year of the dessert buffet, and this time it’s inspired by ice cream shops in New York, the home of Häagen-Dazs. Ice cream will be served in a cool and refreshing variety of ways.

Experience that feeling of picking out a flavour from the ice cream store with a line-up of eight flavours including classics such as vanilla and strawberry as well as the new rich royal milk tea. Each serving is customisable with numerous toppings.

Other menu items include mini ice cream croissants, ice cream sodas, ice cream cake, and more. There’s also a line-up of savoury food too if you want to line your belly before dessert: fried chicken, burgers, hot dogs, fries, and so on.

While the buffet is on, the hotel restaurant itself will be transformed into an ice cream theme park with summery tropical fruit colouring as well as designs and decor inspired by ice creams and cones.

This summer, Southern Tower Dining and Lounge South Court—both of which are located inside Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower—are serving up a fluffy matcha shaved ice dessert called Wa -Nagomi- from June 1 to September 30.

Southern Tower’s Famous Fluffy Light Snowfall Wa -Nagomi- Shaved Ice | Eat In ¥1,470, Takeout ¥700

The matcha-flavoured shaved ice has a texture as light and fluffy as snow. As you spoon through the dessert your taste buds are met with a range of delicious tastes and textures like the Japanese rice flour confection known as gyuhi, winter melon syrup, black soybean flour ice cream, and cream.

The dessert can also be ordered for takeout. The black soy bean flour ice cream adds a crunchy cereal-like texture to the soft shaved ice, and with the takeout option, there’s also chocolate-coated wheat bran and brown sugar syrup.

In promotion of the Godzilla vs. Kong movie, Japanese soft drink manufacturing company Cheerio Corporation released a new energy drink called GODZILLA ENERGY on April 30.

The Godzilla franchise began in 1954 with the first movie release. Since then, it has gone on to receive 29 films, three animations, and three Hollywood adaptations. An anime series began airing last month, and Godzilla vs. Kong was released worldwide on March 31 (but is releasing in Japan on May 14).

GODZILLA ENERGY is imbued with the full force of Godzilla’s energy so you too can stomp relentlessly on your way to victory. The 500ml can has today’s standard 210mg caffeine and 630mg arginine今.

The can’s design features a monstrous image of Godzilla with a neon logo and the drink itself is the same vibrant colour.

TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

For this year’s Golden Week, Royal Park Hotel in Tokyo is serving up a limited-time selection of two desserts on its first floor cafe and bakery IKI: the Koinobori Roll Cake and Animal Sweets & Pastries, both of which are available now until May 5. It’s also selling two different mont blancs for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Carp streamer-inspired roll cake and animal pastries

Koinobori Roll Cake – ¥2,160 (Tax Included)

Animal Sweets & Pastries: Sheep Cheesecake, Bear Tiramisu, Rabbit Mousse – ¥540 Each / Piglet Pastry, Dog Pastry, Chick Pastry – ¥324 (Tax Included)

This line-up of takeout desserts and pastries are made at the hotel’s own cafe and bakery IKI, all of which have been made to celebrate Children’s Day which falls on May 5 every year. This includes a moist chocolate and strawberry carp streamer roll cake which is popular at IKI every year. There’s also a cute selection of animal delights including the light and fluffy Sheep Cheesecake, mascarpone cream and coffee Bear Tiramisu, and a sweet and tangy Rabbit Mousse made from assorted berry mousse and jelly, as well as three pastries made to look like a chick, dog, and piglet.

Serving: April 29, 2021 – May 5, 2021

Happy Father’s Day & Happy Mother’s Day Specials

Mother’s Day Mont Blanc / Father’s Day Mont Blanc – ¥1,944 Each (Tax Included)

The Mother’s Day Mont Blanc is a wonderfully light combination of strawberry jelly, fresh strawberries, white chocolate mousse, and strawberry cream. The Father’s Day version is made with a fresh mascarpone cream, a mont blanc base that’s made from chestnut and blackcurrant jam, chocolate cream, and caramelised nuts.

Mother’s Day Mont Blanc: May 7, 2021 – May 9, 2021

Father’s Day Mont Blanc: June 18, 2021 – June 20, 2021

Monthly Breads: May & June

Each mother, IKI releases limited-time breads or pastries. For May, customers can enjoy the rich Edamame & Bacon Parmesan France and the bitter Chocolate Cream Cornet. In June, there’s an Orange Cream Cornet made with sliced orange peel, and the Tomato Rustic which is crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle, combining tomato and cheese. There’s also Shokupan made with matcha and large-grained adzuki beans.

Edamame & Bacon Parmesan France / Chocolate Cream Cornet (Dark Chocolate) – ¥302 Each (Tax Included)

Orange Cream Cornet – ¥302 / Tomato Rustic – ¥302 / Shokupan (Matcha & Adzuki Bean) – ¥648 (Tax Included)

May Monthly Bread: May 6, 2021 – May 31, 2021

June Monthly Bread: June 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021

Royal Park Hotel is collaborating with the Japanese condiment brand Mizkan, which is known for its vinegars, mustards, salad dressings and more, to serve non-alcoholic cocktails made with vinegar. The Non Alco-Vinegar Cocktail Fair will be held from May 1 to June 30.

Royal Park Hotel x Mizkan

Tropical Princess/FLORAL BEAUTY Vinegar Cashew/Frozen Fruity Su/Blueberry Black Vinegar Soy Milk Shake/Vinegar Fruit Yogurt/Ponzu & Tomato Ginger

The non-alcoholic vinegar cocktails were created for both drinkers and non-drinkers of alcohol as a way to enjoy the food scene more. The alcoholic drinks used in cocktails gives them a kick, and so does vinegar when used in food. These beverages combine vinegar with a range of fruits, teas, carbonated water, and other ingredients.

The line-up was conceived by the Vinegar Club who have also posted recipes for various cocktails on their website – links below.

The Ginza branch of Shiseido Parlour in Tokyo released its new BOUQUET DE FRAISES biscuit cake on Friday. The dessert is inspired by Shieido Parlour’s strawberry parfait and is made to be held in one hand. It comes with three kinds of creams, and each is a crunchy and customisable delight decorated like a bouquet.

BOUQUET DE FRAISES | ¥540 (Tax Included)

The buttery cone is a cat tongue biscuit and is filled with cream shanty, cream patissiere, and strawberry jam. The bouquets are also topped with fresh strawberries.

BOUQUET DE FRAISES (Box of 10) | ¥5,724 (Tax Included) | Reservation-only

The Kawasaki-based Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, which is dedicated to the Japanese manga writing duo who created Doraemon, is now serving up its new Doraemon Korosuke Chiffon Sandwich which was added to the menu on Wednesday.

Doraemon Korosuke Chiffon Sandwich | ¥1,280 (Tax Included)

The new arrival sees Doraemon and Korosuke turned into chiffon sandwiches with the beloved blue robot cat made from chocolate and filled with banana cream and his friend filled with mango cream.

Check out some of the other items available on the menu at the museum too.

Doraemon Arrabbiata | ¥1,230 (Tax Included)

French Toast de Anki Bread | ¥980 (Tax Included)

Fork into the Doraemon Arrabbiata with tomato sauce and a Doraemon face made from egg sheets, or a French toast inspired by Doraemon’s Copying Tost, one of his many Secret Gadgets.

ⒸFujiko-Pro

McDonald’s Japan is releasing two new beverages at McCafé by Barista® on April 28 each made with three varieties of peach: the Gorotto Peach Smoothie and Fuwa Fuwa Peach Creamy Frappe.

Gorotto Peach Smoothie: Regular ¥440 / Large ¥480

Fuwa Fuwa Peach Creamy Frappe: Regular ¥490 / Large ¥530

McDonald’s Japan’s original Peach Smoothie and Peach Frappe beverages first appeared in 2015 and have been slurped up by customers every year since. This year, they return even juicier and more delicious than ever before by being made with three kinds of peach juice: yellow peach, white peach, and for the first time, nectarine.

The Gorotto Peach Smoothie cup is topped with a sauce made from fresh white peach pieces that give an exquisite sweet kick to the richly sweet yellow peach. The nectarine adds a sweet and sour layer to the mix for the ultimate peach combination. The Fuwa Fuwa Peach Creamy Frappe has all of this plus a topping of fluffy whipped cream. And for an extra ¥60, customers can double the amount of sauce they can have on either of these drinks.

While these limited-time drinks are on offer, customers can pick up a stamp card. For every peach frappe or smoothie ordered, they’ll get a stamp. Collect all four and get yourself a free regular-sized mango smoothie, green smoothie, chocolate frappe, or espresso frappe. The card is valid from April 28, 2021 to September 30, 2021.

In promotion of the latest entry to the Detective Conan anime film series, Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet, which was released on March 18, Bandai released two traditional Japanese wagashi sweets from its Tabemas confection series at 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan on April 23.

Tabemas Detective Conan 2021

Conan Edogawa

Shuichi Akai

‘Tabemas’ is an abbreviation of the Japanese words taberareru masukotto, meaning ‘mascots that you can eat.’ It is a Japanese confectionery series that combines well-known characters and Japanese sweets made from ingredients like red bean paste, sugar and rice flour. The sweets are also made with a dough called “nerikiri” which is used in making traditional Japanese wagashi sweets.

The sweets feature titular character Conan Edogawa and FBI agent Shuichi Akai from the new film, recreating their looks in adorable detail and making the custard and chocolate flavoured respectively. The colours of the confections are naturally-derived from the ingredients used, meaning no artificial colourings are used.

(C)青山剛昌／小学館・読売テレビ・TMS 1996

Japan’s confectionery shop Ginza Cozy Corner are releasing a new collection of petite Pixar cakes at all branches on April 23.

The cakes comes in time for celebrating Children’s Day in Japan, as well as making a perfect snack for Golden Week and for kids and parents to enjoy together. Pixar fans have nine to enjoy in the collection such as the Little Green Men from Toy Story, Nemo and Dory from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, Sully from Monster’s Inc., the Pixar Ball, and more.

Pixar Collection (9 Included) | ¥2,700 (Tax Included)

Flavours include the strawberry mousse Lightning McQueen, the Jack Jack raspberry jelly and mango cream, the Buzz Lightyear blueberry jam and cheese mousse, and more.

Pixar Cake Assortment (6 Included) | ¥540 (Tax Included)

The packaging also features cute artwork of everyone’s favourite Pixar characters. Choose between the whole nine cake box collection or this assortment of six white chocolate and strawberry cookies.

Pixar Sweets Box (10 Included) | ¥918 (Tax Included)

There’s also a 10-piece box of six cookies and four madeleines.