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

Spring is almost here, which means the return of McDonald’s Japan’s famous “Teritama” series of burgers, a delicious combination of teriyaki sauce and egg. The customer-favourites hit the menu on Wednesday (March 3).

Teritama

Cheese Teritama

Pastrami Beef Teritama

Teritama Muffin

McFizz® Iwate Prefecture White Peach (1% Fruit Juice)

McFloat® Iwate Prefecture White Peach (1% Fruit Juice)

Shaka Shaka Potato® Chicken & Garlic Seasoning

The Teritama burger is a popular order at McDonald’s in Japan. First launched in 1996, it lathers a pork patty with a sweet and sour teriyaki sauce that’s made from apple and garlic and tops it with a runny egg. The series includes the standard egg and teriyaki pork burger as well as the cheddar cheese-loaded “Cheese Teriyama,” and the spring season exclusive “Pastrami Beef Teriyama.” This year also sees the return of the “Teriyama Muffin” which was first introduced in 2017.

Don’t forget to order the black pepper-covered Shaka Shaka Potato fries that come with a chicken and garlic seasoning. As well as the savoury line-up, sweet tooths can look forward to a McFizz and McFloat made with the juice of white peaches farmed in Iwate Prefecture.

McDonald’s Japan also released a series of commercials for the 2021 Spring season Teritama series. Check them out below.

McDonald’s Japan Teritama 2021 | 15-Second Commercial

McDonald’s Japan Teritama 2021 | 30-Second Commercial

McDonald’s Japan Teritama 2021 | 60-Second Commercial

McDonald’s Japan Teritama 2021 | 120-Second Commercial

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) 

For the entire month of March this year, Eggs ‘n Things Japan is serving up “Uji Matcha Tiramisu Pancakes” and “Egg Scramble House Sandwich” at all branches.

The Seasonal Menu

Uji Matcha Tiramisu Pancakes | Eat In ¥1,480, Takeout ¥1,080

 These rich tiramisu pancakes are made with a dough laced in delicious Uji matcha and topped with succulent strawberries.

*The takeout option doesn’t come with whipped cream

Egg Scramble House Sandwich | Eat In & Takeout ¥1,380

 A classic BLT layered perfectly so every ingredient stands out for every bite.

A Refreshing, Fruity Springtime Drink

Tropical Fruit Mix | ¥650

 Customers can stay refreshed this spring with this tropical fruit mixed beverage of mango, pineapple, banana, and more.

Japanese snack company Keishindo recently launched a new series of shrimp senbei rice crackers called “Ajiwau Wa” (The Taste of Japan). The snacks are deep in flavour, arriving in almond, cheese, and chocolate.

The Line-Up

Kongari Ebi Cheese (Contains 6) | ¥648 (Tax Included)

The shrimp crackers are topped with cheese and baked. The charred cheese brings out the flavour of the shrimp even more.

Ebi Almond (Contains 6) | ¥648 (Tax Included)

A rich and crunchy rice cracker made with in-house roasted almonds. With every bite comes more and more umami goodness.

Kutsurogi Yaki Chocolate (Contains 6) | ¥756 (Tax Included)

A harmony of sourness and sweetness delightfully adorns this chocolatey treat. The contrasting flavours results in a complex taste that could be called a completely new flavour.

Seasonal Kutsurogi Yaki Chocolate Strawberry | ¥756 (Tax Included)

Similar to the regular chocolate version but combined with sweet strawberry which gives the crackers a pink appearance.甘

Ajiwau Aji Assortment (Contains 9) | ¥1,080

Spring is arriving early at Tokyo Solamachi where shops and restaurants will be serving up their own cherry blossom themed desserts and dishes from March 1.

The Line-Up: A Delectable Excerpt

Vibrant Cherry Blossom Desserts Welcome Spring

Hanami Soft | ¥800

Where: Gion Tsujiri (East Yard Floor 6F)

Serving: March 1, 2021 – April 30, 2021

Feel the warm breeze of Japanese hanami with a parfait serving of cherry blossom bavarian cream and jelly, Uji match soft serve ice cream, cherry blossom chocolate, white flour dango dumplings, high quality red bean paste, wafer, and other little assorted treats.

Sakura Mochi Flavoured Spring Pancakes | ¥935

Where: Coconoha (West Yard Floor 4F)

Serving: March 1, 2021 – April 11, 2021

Coconoha’s popular fluffy pancakes topped livingly with cherry blossom ice cream, chewy white flour dumplings, and sweet red bean paste.

Takeout Cherry Blossom Food

Sakura Sushi | Takeout ¥2,138, Eat-In ¥2,178

Where: Kirby Cafe Tokyo (East Yard 4F)

Serving: From March 19, 2021

A picnic serving of six springtime sushi rolls decorated with Kirby references which comes in a cute lunchbox.

Cherry Blossom Lassi | ¥520

Where: AMARI DELI (West Yard Floor 2F)

Serving: March 1, 2021 – April 11, 2021

A cherry blossom lassi in full bloom with fluffy whipped cream and finished with sprinkles of pink-coloured chocolate.

Cute Spring Cherry Blossom Snacks

Financier Sandwich Box – Sakura & Matcha | ¥1,500 (Contains 4)

Where: Afternoon Tea Room (East Yard Floor 3F)

Serving: February 25, 2021 – April 21, 2021

An assortment of two financier cakes: the Sakura Financier Sandwich which is cherry blossom flavoured and filled with white chocolate, roasted walnuts, and strawberry flakes, and the Matcha Financier Sandwich which is filled with milk chocolate, roasted walnuts, and pistachio. Available while supplies last.

Restaurant Menus Beckon Hanami

Spring Roast Beef Nigiri & Cherry Blossom Dashi Kishimen Noodles | ¥1,380

Where: Sugimoto (East Yard Floor 6F)

Serving: March 1, 2021 – April 11, 2021

Roast beef sushi rolls made with Nagoya Owari beef and served with slightly-salted flat kishimen noodles served in a cherry blossom flavoured broth. Limited to 10 servings per day.

This is just a sampled look at what’s to come at Tokyo Solamachi this spring – if you’re in Tokyo for the cherry blossom season, be sure to visit!

Sugar Butter Tree, a shop by Grapestone that specialises in cereal sweets, released its new Strawberry Chocolate Sandwich at all branches of Sugar Butter Tree on February 15.

A Limited-Time Treat Made With Seasonal Japanese Strawberries

This strawberry-loaded biscuit is sold by Sugar Butter Tree every year. It’s made with only the best picked springtime strawberries to create a delicious chocolatey snack. If you love strawberries, then this is a treat for you.

Sugar Butter Tree Strawberry Chocolate Sandwich: Pack of 5 – ¥648 / Pack of 8 – ¥1,080 / Pack of 12 – ¥1,620 (Tax Included)

Milky, melt-in-the-mouth strawberry goodness

The chocolate ‘sandwich’ contains crunchy milk cream with a delicious sugar butter scent. This is wrapped in a strawberry chocolate coating, making for a mix of sweet and tangy.

Looks cute on the table served with tea

The design theme for the biscuit is “strawberry teatime.” Its pastel colour makes for a cute serving snack served with a cup of tea.

Japan’s egg tart chain Andrew’s Eggtart is baking up some special handmade strawberry tarts this spring made with fresh strawberries farmed in Japan.

Spring Strawberry | ¥380 (Before Tax)

The tarts are triple-layered with a strawberry compote, strawberry cream, and an in-house original custard cream. Each tart is finished with fresh cuts of succulent strawberry to finish, adding a fruity flavour to the sweet treat.

Japanese goods brand amie, which is managed by the same company that runs the popular online anime and hobby site Amiami, is set to host a collaboration between the popular mobile game HELIOS Rising Heroes and Harajuku’s quintessential crepe shop Marion Crêpes in Tokyo and Osaka from April 24 to May 9.

HELIOS Rising Heroes x Marion Crêpes 

The collaboration will see crepes inspired by the characters from HELIOS Rising Heroes. There’s also some free novelties prepared for those who purchase any of the crepes.

A special illustration of Marion Blythe as well as Faith Beams, whose birthday fell on February 14, has also been drawn specially for this collaboration. 16 of the heroes from the mobile game have also been illustrated in Marion Crêpes staff uniforms which can be seen in-store. Fans can also get their hands on a variety of collab merch, and an in-game event is currently taking place.

Don’t miss this special collaboration between HELIOS Rising Heroes and Marion Crêpes.

©2019 Happy Elements K.K

Japanese cake website Cake.jp is celebrating Japan’s annual Hinamatsuri festival this year by stocking a range of themed cakes and sweets by famous confectionery stores in the country.

Hinamatsuri, also known as Doll’s Day, is an annual Japanese festival to pray for the health and wellbeing of female children. Cake.jp has a very special line-up of around 100 sweet treats ready for enjoyment with cute motifs like unicorns and traditional Hinamatsuri dolls.

Hinamatsuri 2021: Hinamatsuri Unicorn

Hinamatsuri 2021: Hinamatsuri-Exclusive Chiffon Cakes

Hinamatsuri 2021: Yogurt Cake

Hinamatsuri 2021: Hinamatsuri-Exclusive Flower Cupcakes

This is just a select look at some of the delicious cakes on offer – visit Cake.jp to see the full line-up!