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) 

A new chocolate brand by the name of Chocola Meets has been cooked up in Japan that prioritises bean to bar chocolate made from fairtrade cocoa beans. The brand’s USP however lies in its collaboration with artists who pen work for the chocolate’s packaging.

16 art pieces created by 4 artists for the craft chocolate packaging

Chocola Meets will begin selling its tasty chocolate collection from mid-March, but for those who can’t wait, the brand launched a crowdfunding campaign on February 15 via CAMPFIRE which offers pre-sales.

Chocola Meets prides itself on its collaborative business model which provides support to participating artists by giving them a cut of sales. This includes the money made for the crowfunder as well as the proceeds made from chocolate sales.

Sasabe (Chocola Meets, Operations Officer) | Comment

“The concept for Chocola Meets is, ‘Meet My Like: Experience What it Feels Like to Find Your Likes.’ This is something we value and is the reason why Chocola Meets exists. The reason behind our collaborative business model of Art x Craft Chocolate, something which hasn’t been done before, is to continuously offer that very concept – one which holds irreplaceable value. And in order to do that, we needed something that allows the artists to continue living comfortably. So we’re giving proceeds from the chocolate to the artists which gives them an incentive to create.”

The CAMPFIRE crowdfunder offers pre-sales of the chocolates at a discounted price. There are other benefits too, like framed art by the artists, coupons, and more.

Chocola Meets successfully met their Crowdfunding goal, having raised ¥430,700 of the pledged ¥300,000 (as of February 16, 2021).

The Jazz Youkan is a cute confection made from sweet adzuki red bean paste and made to look like a little piano. It’s made in Japan’s Oita Prefecture, but Tokyo residents can now enjoy this sweet treat at HARAJU Cross JAPAN MASTERY COLLECTION_est which is located on Floor B1F of WITH HARAJUKU, a shopping complex in front of Harajuku Station. It is being sold until February 14 in three flavours: Chocolat, Matcha Chocolat, and Classic.

The Jazz Youkan

The Jazz Youkan is a confectionery made by Jazz to Youkan Yufuin CREEKS, a shop in Yufu, Oita. It’s part of their concert series of sweets and pairs well with a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

Line-Up (Prices Include Tax)

Chocolat | ¥2,646

The seasonal winter Chocolat is made with sweet white bean paste, couverture chocolate, dried cherries, fig, and raisins. All the chocolates in this series are individually handmade by the shop’s chocolatiers, and this time, the classic Chocolat variant has been made even more delicious. It’s smooth, moist, and rich without being too sweet. Best enjoyed with coffee or wine.

Matcha Chocolat | ¥2,646

If you love matcha then this is the treat for you. It’s different from the normal Chocolat version of this sweet as it’s made without dried fruits. Instead, it contains large-grained adzuki beans for an irresistible texture.

Classic | ¥2,160

The Classic version is made with brown sugar from Okinawa and adzuki beans and contains dried figs soaked in wine. Another perfect pairing with coffee or wine, and the piano face shows the work of true Japanese artistry.

©冬季限定 ジャズ羊羹 chocolat

The Hoppe Town area of Daimaru Tokyo is currently celebrating Valentine’s Day up to February 14 with the release of a selection of gift chocolates by six brands in collaboration with popular characters.

Pokémon Chocolate Set (Large Box) | ¥1,404 (Tax Included)

My Melody x Goncharoff Chocolates (Contains 21) | ¥2,160 (Tax Included)

Moomin x Merry Chocolate’s Hattifatteners Chocolates (Contains 11) | ¥1,188 (Tax Included)

Dick Bruna by Morozoff: Picture Book Chocolates (Contains 15) – ¥864 (Tax Included) / Miffy Pouch Chocolates (Contains 8) – ¥1,320 (Tax Included)

Chatrois Kitten Tiny Plain Chocolates | ¥783 (Tax Included)

Katanukiya Angel Panda | ¥684 (Tax Included)

Which of these cute and tasty-looking treats has caught your eye the most?

©Nintendo･Creatures･GAME FREAK･TV Tokyo･ShoPro･JR Kikaku ©Pokémon
©１９７６，２０２１ ＳＡＮＲＩＯ ＣＯ，ＬＴＤ．ＡＰＰＲＯＶＡＬ　ＮＯ．Ｌ６１３３７４
©Ｍｏｏｍｉｎ　Ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｓ™

THE GRAND GINZA in Tokyo is getting ready for Valentine’s Day and White Day with the revealing of its new afternoon tea menu which will be served from February 1 to March 31.

The “Pink Afternoon Tea” is a combination of succulent strawberries and fruity ruby chocolate, which is the fourth type of chocolate alongside milk, dark, and white. It includes a ruby hot chocolate for staying warm during these cold winter months, strawberry macarons, strawberries to dip in ruby chocolate, strawberry quiche curry, and other unique items for a mix of sweet and savoury. There’s also a strawberry mille-fuille made with a recipe by Ginza’s famous French restaurant Maxim’s de Paris.

There are also 18 drinks to choose from including 13 types of teas from TWG. It’s a must-visit for Valentine’s Day.

Sankt Gallen Brewery has announced the release of a new drinking set which includes its chocolate-flavoured beer “Imperial Chocolate Stout” and a special glass for drinking it out of. The brewery, which is located in Atsugi, Kanagawa, will launch it as a limited-edition release on February 1, 2021 with just 800 sets available.

Imperial Chocolate Stout ¥600 | Le Lectier Chocolate Stout 2021 Edition Flavour ¥500 | Orange Chocolate Stout ¥500 | Sweet Vanilla Stout Valentine Label ¥460 (All Prices Pre-Tax)

Chocolate Glass

Chocolate Glass Set

The Imperial Chocolate Stout isn’t made with cacao or the chocolate used in sweets. It’s in fact made with “chocolate malt,” a raw beer ingredient roasted at a high temperature which draws out its chocolaty flavour. Although the beer uses almost 30% more of this raw ingredient than regular beer, only about half the amount is brewed from a single distilling compared to regular beer, which gives the beverage a distinct jet black colouring. The bubbles on top make it almost like a chocolate shake.

Other drinks in this series include the Le Lectier Chocolate Stout which arrives this year in a limited-edition 2021 flavour. It’s made with the Le Lectier, a rare type of pear that is difficult to grow. The Orange Chocolate Stout is made with thinly sliced bitter orange peel, the kind that’s used in marmalade, of which half is boiled to intensify its citrusy notes. It’s inspired by the classic French confection that coats orange peel in chocolate. Finally, the Sweet Vanilla Stout comes in a Valentine’s Day label for 2021. This beer, which is richly black like an espresso, is laced with vanilla, bringing with it a sweet fragrance and vanilla chocolate aftertaste.

These chocolate beers themselves go perfectly with some actual chocolate, and so Sankt Gallen Brewery teamed up with the Japanese patissier Tadashi Yanagi to create a glass made of chocolate to drink the beer from.

Which of these beverages has your mouth watering the most?

Hotel Metropolitan Edmont, a hotel situated in Chiyoda, Tokyo, will celebrate Valentine’s Day with an angelic line-up of sweet treats that will be sold from February 1 to 14.

The Chocolates

Truffle au Chocolat – Box of 4: ¥1,200 (Before Tax) / Box of 6: ¥1,800 (Before Tax) / Box of 10: ¥3,000 (Before Tax)​

Indulge in a luscious assortment of four chocolates: the citrus-filled ‘Grand Marnier,’ the slightly bitter ‘Rum,’ the full-bodied and tangy ‘Raspberry,’ and the Uji-matcha packed ‘Matcha.’

Orangette (Contains 15) | ¥2,000 (Before Tax)

If you love chocolate combined with fruit, then the Orangette will be your poison, filled with fresh and bitter orange peel and coated in chocolate. It has a distinct refreshing fragrance to it which expands across the taste buds with every bite.

Raisin Chocolat | ¥1,200 (Before Tax)

Love rich, full-bodied flavour? These raisins are soaked in French Sauternes wine and covered in dark chocolate. Their fruity flavour makes them a perfect accompaniment to a glass of whisky or bourbon.

The Cakes & Pastries

Eme | ¥600​

A perfect pick for Valentine’s Day: a heart-shaped mousse containing rich, velvety chocolate that’s jam-packed with fresh raspberry jelly.

Brioche Chocolat | ¥260

Enjoy taking a bite out of this brioche made from butter and egg that’s laced with custard cream and chocolate.

Peninsula Merchandising Limited is set to capture hearts this Valentine’s Day with the announcement of a desiring new collection of chocolates which will be served at two branches of The Peninsula Boutique & Café in Shin-Marunouchi Building and Isetan Shinjuku from February 1.

Sweetheart | ¥3,400 (Before Tax)

Macarons (6 Included) | ¥2,860 (Before Tax)

Truffle Truffle | ¥1,500 (Before Tax)

Strawberry Bear Ruby Chocolate Bar | ¥1,750 (Before Tax)

Eponge | ¥560 (Before Tax)

Croquembouche | ¥720 (Before Tax)

Rose Rouge | ¥1,500 (Before Tax)

Love Lock Key Ring | ¥5,000 (Before Tax)

The romantic line-up features an assortment of lovingly-crafted confections, from ruby chocolate to colourful macarons, a rose-topped chocolate, and more—all available for the season of love. The boutique cafes will also sell a special heart-shaped key ring for lovers to express to their special someone that they complete them.

Japanese confectionery company Lotte is joining white gloves with Mickey and Minnie Mouse to collaborate on their popular chocolatey Choco Pie treats. The tie-up will roll out in Japan from January 26.

Lotte Choco Pie Heartful W Strawberry

Lotte Choco Pie Heartful W Chocolate

Try and find the Mickey head on the packaging

Get your hands on one of 10 packaging designs

Line up these two to make it look like Mickey and Minnie kissing

Handmade Choco Pie Art

This marks Choco Pie’s first collaboration with Disney’s characters with Mickey and Minnie appearing in ten different designs. Each design has a hidden Mickey head to find (like in Kingdom Hearts III). Lotte is has also showcased some unique designs you can make for Valentine’s Day with the Choco Pies, so get creative!

ⓒDisney

Café Al Bicerin released a special collection of chocolates in Japan for Valentine’s Day on Wednesday (January 20) in collaboration with Hello Kitty.

Café Al Bicerin is a cafe in Torio, Italy, that first opened back in 1763. It has a long history and is a place that was enjoyed by the likes of Friedrich Nietzsche and Ernest Hemingway.

Bicerin × Hello Kitty Love Assortment | ¥2,160 (Tax Included)

Bicerin × Hello Kitty Love Assortment | ¥2,160 (Tax Included)

Valentine’s Baci di Dama (Includes 5) | ¥1,350 (Tax Included)

© 2021 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L617585

Japanese sweets and dessert brand KAKERI opened pre-orders for its new luxury chocolate “Nihonshu Gateau Chocolat” on Monday (January 18) which is made in collaboration with Inami Shuzo, a distillery based in Miki, Hyogo, a city known for a type of rice called Yamada Nishiki. Pre-order opened exclusively on Makuake.

Daigin Koshu – Bronze Award winner in the Sake category at IWC2020

Inami Shuzo

The chocolate is infused with Daigin Koshu, a sake made by Inami Shuzo which won a Bronze award at the International Wine Challenge for Japanese Sake in 2020. The chocolate is also best paired with a cup of strong sake too. Online orders are shipped in freezer refrigeration and can be eaten frozen too, giving it an ice cake-like texture. If left to defrost in the fridge, the taste and fragrance of the infused sake increases, so sake-lovers can pick how they best want to enjoy their gateau treat.

What makes this chocolate so special is that it enjoys the combination of ingredients and a workforce all from the city of Miki where the distiller is located. The sake is made with a rice called Yamada Nishiki which is grown in Miki and is famous for being used to make sake. The consumption amount of this rice has decreased as a result of the pandemic and so the chocolate was developed to help spread word of the rice and ensure it doesn’t go to waste.

ISHIYA CO.,LTD. released a new batch of its Koisuru Chocolates on Wednesday (December 2) with packaging that features artworks by legendary Japanese painter Hokusai including nine from his Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji and three from his Hokusai Manga.

ISHIYA’s Koisuru Chocolate is a twist on Hokkaido’s famous Shiroi Koibito chocolate biscuits, combining white and milk chocolate into a chocolate sandwich coupled with salt from Lake Saroma in Hokkaido to elevate the sweetness.

Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (9 Designs) | ¥1,080 (Tax Included)

Hokusai Manga (3 Designs) | ¥1,080 (Tax Included)

Katsushika Hokusai, most often known just as Hokusai, was a Japanese ukiyo-e painter and woodblock printmaker who is perhaps best known for his woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa, an image recognisable to those even outside of Japan. This year would have marked his 260th birthday, and so various events have been held throughout Japan.

The packaging designs include some of his most famous works including The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Fine Wind, Clear Morning from his Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series and Suzume Odori from Hokusai Manga. Hokusai Manga is often considered the first example of Japanese manga, and his work is said to have influenced many famous painters including Édouard Manet and Claude Monet.