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.

KADOKAWA has announced that it’s taking the Mr. Osomatsu themed hotel room from EJ Anime Hotel at Tokorozawa Sakura Town in Saitama, which ran from December 3, 2020 to March 31, 2021, to six hotels in Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Hakata starting on April 28.

Mr. Osomatsu anime freebies for guests

Design of the free mask case

Free coaster

The ‘EJ’ of EJ Anime Hotel stands for ‘Entertainment Japan.’ The hotel aims to have guests living inside the stories they love from a wide range of Japanese media from anime to manga, movies, tokusatsu SFX movies, idol culture, and more. As well as room decorations and the exclusive merch that will be on sale, the hotel is also offering a new kind of accommodation experience by incorporating videos, sounds, lighting, and more. Its restaurant will also offer a selection of food and drink in collaboration with various series including all-out full course dinners.

Due to its popularity with guests, the Mr. Osomatsu themed anime room is heading to six locations across Japan which are listed below.

©赤塚不二夫／おそ松さん製作委員会

This spring, Hilton Nagoya is set to serve up a special afternoon tea set and buffet plan at its first floor all-dining restaurant IN PLACE 3-3. The theme of the afternoon tea line-up, which will be served either as a set-only plan or the set plus a buffet, is ‘Lost in Europe.’ Fans of Lewis Carroll’s beloved novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland can look forward to jumping in the rabbit hole as they indulge in a colourful and delicious line-up that sends them straight to wonderland.

The plans will run for three months during which three different menu line-ups will be served, each with a European feel to them as Alice finds her curiosity tending away from Japanese cuisine to the delectable assortments of overseas.

Spain will serve as the first menu. Travelling to Spain, Alice finds the country one overflowing with creativity in the arts, so says the story of this fun afternoon tea. Dishes will be plated with desserts fusing together Spain’s food culture with that of Wonderland, traditional Spanish desserts, sweet treats inspired by Spanish art, and more. Many of the irresistible items will also be made with almonds – Spain being the second largest producer of almonds in the world.

Inside the restaurant, diners will feel like they have travelled to a Spanish rendition of Wonderland with a mix of styles from both locations, such as Spanish sunflowers, mosaic tiles, stained glass windows, and more.

A little look at the menu (some of it)

1. Afternoon Tea Set Menu: ¥4,600 (Tax Included)

Cubism Cheshire Cat Arroz Con Leche

A coconut-flavoured Spanish rice pudding made with coconut lavender jelly. Its design, from the stripes to the grinning teeth, are references to the Cheshire Cat.

Blue Caterpillar Siesta Cake

A cake covered in striking blue chocolate, made with pistachio mousse, and filled with a mixed berry jelly.

Butterfly Windmills Mousse

An artistic delight made with smooth chestnut mousse and colourful butterfly wings attached.

Plate Menu

Pistachio Crema Catalana in Berry Sauce

A traditional dessert of Catalonia, this crema catalana features a rich pistachio-flavoured custard cream and is served with a berry sauce.

Savoury Items

Salted churros that are crunchy on the outside and fluffy in the inside, and a checked bocadillo filled with Spanish omelette.

Lost in Europe Afternoon Tea Set Summary

10 desserts, two savoury items, and a choice of a soft drink, coffee, or tea.

2. Afternoon Tea Set & Dessert Buffet: Adults ¥5,000 / Children ¥2,500

Mischievous Crazy Clock Cake 

A warped, melted clock made with passion fruit cream and orange and mango mousse.

Mosaic Tile Sangria Jelly (Non-Alcoholic)

A refreshing beverage made with non-alcoholic white wine and grape, strawberry, and grapefruit jelly, all made to look like mosaic tiles.

Savoury Items

Pick from nine different savoury items like paella, sopa de ajo garlic soup, patatas bravas, tapas, and more.

There are also a range of other desserts like a coffee jelly ice cream, a melon cake, and more, as well as fruity iced candies.

Afternoon Takeout Box

Customers can also get their afternoon tea set to go with a mix of desserts and savouries.

Neko Neko Cheesecake is set to open pre-sales for its new Nyan Cheese Mikan cheesecake at Pastel branches of Neko Neko Cheesecake on April 22 before rolling it out at all Neko Neko Cheesecake branches.

Neko Neko Cheesecake is a sister brand of Neko Neko Kuu Pan from the same company which serves cat-shaped bread.

Nyan Cheese Mikan | Single Slice: ¥237 (Tax Included)

Nyan Cheese Mikan | Box of 4: ¥1,080 (Tax Included)

The cheesecake is made with Brie de Meaux, aka the king of cheeses, and cooked at a high temperature to add a gorgeous browned surface. They contain rich juice from mandarin oranges to give them a refreshing kick perfect for the spring season. A perfect snack or post-dinner dessert.

Bandai released a new chewy and delicious custard pudding-flavoured confection at Lawson convenience stores in Japan on Tuesday in celebration of Pompompurin’s 25th anniversary, the popular character by Sanrio.

Mochi Mochi Pompompurin Yaki Pudding Flavour | ¥158 (Tax Included)

The cute confection is made to look like Pompompurin laying down. The chewy delight is filled with Japanese custard pudding-flavoured cream.

The packaging also features limited-edition artwork for Purin’s 25th year milestone where he is joined by his cute furry friends.

©2021 SANRIO CO.,LTD. 著作(株)サンリオ

Japanese candy company UHA Mikakuto has collaborated with the video game TETRIS® to launch pre-sales on their new Tsumu Gummy TETRIS® which hit shelves on Monday (April 12) in Japan.

Tsumu Gummy TETRIS® | ¥370 (Before Tax)

The colourful gummies arrive in seven different forms, shaped and coloured like the blocks in TETRIS®, meaning you can stack them as well as eat them. They are an assortment of green grape, red grape, orange, and strawberry flavours, and one pack weighs in at 180g.

Tetris ® & © 1985~2021 Tetris Holding.

With just a small bit of ingenuity, turn everyday food into something cute using Kaori’s Easy Recipe! With a few simple ideas, an ordinary recipe magically transforms into a cute dish.

Today, I’ll teach you how to make Baymax mushi-pan steamed bread.

Ingredients

This recipe makes 5 portions

140g strong flour

20g granulated sugar

Pinch of salt

3g dry yeast

3g baking powder

5g vegetable oil

85ml-90ml milk (room temperature)

1

Mix everything together in a food processor. If you don’t have a food processor, you can also knead the ingredients well by hand.

2

Ferment at 40℃ for 40 minutes. If you don’t have a fermentation machine, leave in a warm environment.

3

Once the dough has doubled in size, divide into five portions and put into separate cups. If using paper cups, rub a little bit of oil inside.

4

Bake in the oven at 40℃ for 20-25 minutes.

5

After baking, steam in a steamer for 12-13 minutes. If you don’t have a steamer, put into a frying pan or large pot with a little bit of water and cover.

6

Once cooled, use some nori seaweed to make Baymax’s face and you’re done!

Pierre Hermè, the French pastry chef and chocolatier, has founded a brand called “Made in Pierre Hermè” in 2018 where he represents the wonderful products of Japan that he specially selected to share with the world.

The producers and farmers of Kochi prefecture, Japan collaborated with “Made in Pierre Hermè”

Line ups of Kochi Fair organised by “Made in Pierre Hermè”

The Tokyo branches of “Made in Pierre Hermè” launched in 2020 followed by their Fukuoka Airport branch opening in Spring 2021. The new branches openig soon. From 2021, which marks the 3rd Anniversary of the brand, they will hold a fair every 3 months to introduce and celebrates excellent producers and products in each region in collaboration with local governments across Japan in order to deliver brand’s concept more starting with Kochi prefecture where is surrounded by abundant nature and food culture. The Kochi fair is set to open from April 16 to July 31 at all branches of “Made in Pierre Hermè”.  A kick-off event of the fair is happening on April 15 at COMMUNE Omotesando in Tokyo. 

The fair will be featuring the hidden gems of Kochi such as Kochi Yuzu citrus macarons, salad dressings made of vegetables locally produced, Hachi-kin, the produced poultry, canned Tuna, Tosayama ginger ale, matcha and Kochi yuzu citrus brownies, yuzu peel cookies and more. In addition, collaboration products with Kochi producers such as sun-dried salt gelato, tomato ketchup, and green tea will be on sale. Don’t miss the chance to taste the flavour of Kochi proudly represents by Pierre Hermè! 

Mister Donut Japan released its new tasty collection of limited-edition doughnuts in collaboration with Gion Tsujiri, the famous tea shop in Kyoto from April 9. 

The Line Up

Fluffy Uji Matcha Mochi with Black Honey 

Fluffy Uji Matcha Mochi with Soybean Whipped Cream 

Fluffy Uji Matcha with Azuki Red Beans Mochi 

Pon de Double Uji Matcha

Pon de Double Uji Matcha with Black Honey Mochi

Pon de Double Uji Matcha with Soybean Whipped Cream and Azuki Red Beans 

Uji Matcha Chocolate, Azuki Red Beans and Rice Cake Balls Pie

Special Edition: Mister Donut Voucher Card with Masaki Sudaミ

The 1st edition of collection released on March 12 with the theme of colouration 

that enhances the colour of matcha. The new edition launching this time was developed with the theme of Japanese ingredients such as black honey that brings harmony with matcha.  “Fluffy Uji Matcha” series consist of 3 flavours made of luxurious Kyoto Uji Matcha with fluffy donut which marks its first appearance of this year. “Fluffy Uji Matcha with Black Honey” is a glossy doughnut coated with matcha chocolate with black honey filling. A wide variety of doughnut featuring 7 combinations of matcha and Japanese ingredients are unbearably delicious and unmissable. 

Mister Donut holds a promotional campaign in collaboration with the Japanese movie God of Kinema starring Masaki Suda, current image model of the brand. 

During the campaign, follow Mister Donut’s official Twitter account and upload pictures of the collection with hashtag  “#ミスドでつや抹茶” and 428 lucky customers can win a voucher worth ¥500 with exclusive design features Masaki Suda.  Additionally, 67 lucky customers who have also participated in the 1st edition of Mister Donut ×Gion Tsujiri collection campaign previously can receive a voucher worth ¥2,000. 

Enjoy popular limited-edition doughnuts with Gion Tsujiri until your heart’s content. 

Japan’s 203-year-old confectionery shop Eitaro Sohonpo is rolling out a new series of delicious delights over the next three weeks at Nihonbashi E-Chaya.

Week One: From April 7, 2021 all year round

Nihonbashi Dorayaki: Ham & Cheese/Egg Salad/Anko Mochi – ¥303 Each (Tax Included)

Week Two: April 14, 2021 – April 28, 2021

Assorted Sweets Set | ¥1,000 (Tax Included)

Week Three: April 21, 2021 – April 28, 2021 (and the same dates every month from May)

Mangetsu Mochi Omusubi | ¥270 (Tax Included)

Exclusive to Nihonbashi E-Chaya, the new release includes two different deli-style dorayaki as well as an anko red bean paste version, a plate of assorted Japanese sweets, and a red rice ball made with black-eyed peas instead of sesame seeds. Red rice was often consumed on joyous occasions during the Edo period.

Japan’s five Peanuts comic-themed cafes are now holding a birthday plan campaign in celebration of the series’ 70th anniversary.

Each cafe branch is offering something different

PEANUTS Cafe Nakameguro x WHYTROPHY With Birthday Rosette

PEANUTS DINER Yokohama With Embroidered Striped Pin

PEANUTS DINER Kobe With Embroidered Striped Pin

PEANUTS Cafe Snoopy Museum With Tote Bag

PEANUTS Cafe Nagoya With Tote Bag

Campaign Art

Customers at the cafes will also be randomly selected to stay at the PEANUTS HOTEL and will receive a free sticker as pictured above. All who order the birthday plan and their group will even receive a free present.

(C) 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC　(短縮形 (C) 2021 Peanuts)

Japanese tea shop and cafe Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo has baked up a brand new matcha roll cake made with high quality matcha leaves specially selected by their own tea experts. If indulgence is your calling, then this cake is the perfect accompaniment with a cup of tea whether it be matcha, Japanese tea, black tea – or any other of your favourite kind of tea.

The cake is a striking black colour, one that is featured in traditional Japan. The soft matcha filling provides an eye-catching contrast to the sponge. It’s baked on a high temperature over charcoal and bamboo which serves to deepen the colours even more and elevate the vividness of the green matcha.

Cafe time can now be enjoyed at home with this very special treat.