Made in Pierre Hermè, a sweets brand dedicated to sharing the wonders of Japan with the world, is now selling karintou, a type of fried-dough cookie coated in brown sugar and sesame seeds. 

Karintou: ¥810

The thinly-baked cookies have a gentle sweetness from the domestic flower, and combined with the fragrant sesame seeds baked into the dough, it’s impossible to eat only one. 

Left: Shimantogawa Genryu Green Tea: ¥1,404 / Right: Shimantogawa Genryu Roasted Green Tea: ¥1,404

These tea varieties are the best to enjoy with karintou. Grown in the tea fields above the Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture, these leaves are surrounded by fresh water and clean air. Thanks to the moderate temperature and the natural veil created by the fog, sunlight is slightly blocked, giving a more mellow flavor to each green tea.

Everyone’s favorite cartoon cat Hello Kitty is about to celebrate her birthday! To celebrate, Sanrio is releasing a collection of limited-time goods in collaboration with world-famous patisserie Pierre Hermé starting October 20, 2021. These items will be on sale at Sanrio stores nationwide, in specific department stores, and on the official Sanrio online store. 

Collaboration with Hello Kitty’s favorite sweet, Ispahan

Ispahan, a raspberry cake, is Hermé’s signature dessert. For Hello Kitty’s birthday celebration the creator drew the character in an elegant rose-inspired dress inspired by the sweet. This design was made with the hope that Hello Kitty will continue to bring different people and cultures together for years to come. 

Mascot Keychain  Hello Kitty/Mimmy: ¥2,530

Accessory Case: ¥3,080

Inspired by Pierre Hermé’s Ispahan and Satine sweets, fans will love these colorful goods perfect for a birthday celebration. 

Hello Kitty Birthday Doll: ¥15,400 (Tax Included)

Each year a Hello Kitty Birthday Doll is released, and 2021 is no different! This year, the doll is wearing an elegant dress designed exclusively for the collaboration. Each one has an embroidered serial number on the left leg, and quantities will be limited. 

Gâteau Anniversaire Hello Kitty: ¥2,640 (Tax Included)

This special birthday dessert will be available at Pierre Hermé Paris Aoyama from November 1 to November 15. It includes a special Hello Kitty Ispahan along with a scoop of rose ice cream and a dusting of raspberry powder!

©’21 SANRIO　著作（株）サンリオ

InterContinental Tokyo Bay is set to serve up a special afternoon tea by French pastry chef Pierre Hermé at five of its restaurants including New York Lounge from June 1 to August 31.

A colourful, fruit-filled line-up

From the left: Mosaic Cheesecake, Macarons, Ispahan, Emotion Satine

From the left: Jardin de Misole, Jardin de L’atlas, Infiniment Cassis

Chocolate gateaux line-up

Two jam scones, one with raspberry and one with lemon

The savoury items are made by the French restaurant next door

The full afternoon tea at New York Lounge

The full afternoon tea at Hudson Lounge

The full afternoon tea at Manhattan

The full afternoon tea at La Provence

The full afternoon tea at Italian Dining Zillion

The afternoon tea line-ups are a collaboration between French pastry chef Pierre Hermé, who has been called the pastry industry’s Picasso, and award-winning executive chef Junji Tokunaga. Their first time working together, the duo have created an afternoon tea service packed with fruits like passion fruit, raspberry, orange, lychee, lemon, and more. Tokunaga also baked up chocolate gateaux as an homage to Hermé.

Items on the menu include Pierre Hermé’s signature Ispahan which is a rose-flavoured macaron stuffed with rose cream, fresh lychee, and raspberry; Mosaic Cheesecake which harmoniously combines griotte cherries and pistachio; the refreshing Emotion Satine in all its passion fruit, orange, cream cheese, and mascarpone richness; four original gateaux chocolate oranges by Tokunaga; scones, and more.

The afternoon tea served at French Dining Manhattan, a restaurant which has a terrace overlooking Tokyo Bay, also comes with its own original savoury line-up, while Fine Dining La Provence and Italian Dining Zillion serve up lunch plates with theirs.

Japanese chocolate and baked goods bakery LIFE IS PÂTISSIER is now selling a collection of luxurious treats for White Day, the sequel to Valentine’s Day in Japan, via their online store until March 14.

 LIFE IS PÂTISSIER is a takeout chocolate bakery that specialises in chocolate and baked confections. Some of their signature items include their pound cake and chocolate bonbons. They also serve sable biscuits, madeleines, and much more. They are based in Jiyugaoka, a neighbourhood in Meguro, Tokyo, where they enjoy plenty of customers both local and tourists. Due to the pandemic, they are currently operating entirely online.

LIFE IS PÂTISSIER White Day Gifts 2021

Leaf Caramel | ¥1,800 (Before Tax)

Crunchy chocolate caramel bites drizzled in even more sweet, melty caramel.

Macarons | ¥2,300 (Before Tax)

A rainbow-coloured collection of raspberry, pistachio, caramel, lemon, and chocolate macarons.

Madeleines (Contains 6) | ¥2,800 (Before Tax)

Refreshing madeleines made with a mix of Japanese and Italian lemons. Refrigerating them gives the outer icing a delicious crunchy texture.

Strawberry Milk Crunch | ¥900

Smashed cookies and caramel combined with strawberry chocolate and milk chocolate.

Special Box | ¥4,500 (Before Tax)

A very special collection of raspberry chocolate treats coated in dark chocolate.

Flower Swag | ¥3,200

A fragrant flower swag composed of an assortment of fresh flowers. Perfect for decorating walls and doors and overtime become dried flowers.

White Day Cards

LIFE IS PÂTISSIER is also offering White Day cards which people can couple with their gifts.

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

For Valentine’s Day, the Japanese doughnut shop gmgm released its new collection of “CHACCARI” doughnuts online on January 28 which includes both single and box orders of beautiful doughnuts.

gmgm is a cosy cafe and doughnut shop in Koenji, Tokyo which serves beautiful doughnuts topped with edible flowers.

Raspberry x Chocolate

Almond x Orangette

CHACCARI Pair Doughnuts (Box of 2) | ¥1,300 (Tax Included)

CHACCARI Pair Doughnuts (Box of 4) | ¥2,500 (Tax Included)

CHACCARI Pair Doughnuts (Box of 6) | ¥3,800 (Tax Included)

CHACCARI Pair Doughnuts Premium (Box of 9) | ¥5,100 (Tax Included)

Pick from an ambrosial collection of sweet treats like the gateau chocolate-rich “Raspberry x Chocolate” which balances sweet and tangy with chocolate, the citrusy orange peel-adorned “Almond x Orangette,” and more.

Customers can order their pair doughnuts for White Day by scanning the QR code on the CHACCARI Card. White Day can be considered the sequel to Valentine’s Day in Japan where those who received gifts on Valentine’s Day give a reciprocal present back to those who gifted them.

Floresta Nature Doughnuts, a doughnut cafe that hand-makes doughnuts using organic ingredients, is joining paws with Sanrio’s popular character Cinnamoroll for White Day to release a series of themed doughnuts. They will be served for two weeks commencing March 1, 2020.

Batch ①: March 1, 2020 – March 7, 2020

Cinnamoroll Character Doughnuts (Cinnamon/Mocha) – ¥450 Each

The first batch of doughnuts feature the adorable and wide-eyed Cinnamoroll and Mocha sat on top of Floresta’s classic “Nature” doughnut lathered in strawberry chocolate.

Batch ②: March 8, 2020 – March 14, 2020

Cinnamoroll Koro Koro Cup Doughnuts – ¥600

The second doughnut product are these cup doughnuts featuring Cinnamoroll and Cappuccino-kun. These colourful doughnuts use absolutely no added colourings－just Floresta’s delicious natural ingredients.

The Floresta Organic Store will also sell special sets in limited quantities.

Tokyo Station’s two shopping centresーGRANSTA, which is inside the ticket gates, and GRANSTA Marunouchi, which is outside themーare holding a White Day Fair which started the day after Valentine’s Day and will run until March 14, 2020.

In Japan, Valentine’s Day usually sees girls and women giving chocolate to guys and men, which can be for both friendship or love. On White Day, the opposite happens, where guys and men are expected to repay the favour. GRANSTA and GRANSTA Marunouchi have the perfect assortment of gifts and accessories that are sure to please any girls this White Day.

Tasty treats to return the favour

These visually-appealing picks are perfect for expressing your thanks to friends and coworkers.

Tokyo Station Exclusive: Mini Pigeon & Heart Biscuits – ¥880 @ Fairycake Fair (GRANSTA Floor B1F) / Available: From February 15, 2020

These cute tiny tins from Fairycake Fair are packed with crunchy and milky pigeon and heart biscuits and mini lemon yoghurt-flavoured meringues. They’re a brand new product from the confectionery shop.

Tokyo Station Exclusive: Strawberry Pie Burger – ¥864 @ Kyobashi Senbikiya (GRANSTA Floor B1F) / Available: February 20, 2020 – March 14, 2020 (*30 served per day)

Adorably cut into love hearts, these pies are lovingly filled with cream, which has a subtle eggy flavour, and cream cheese

White Day Selection – ¥3,672 (Contains 9) @ Pierre Marcolini (GRANSTA Floor B1F) / Available: From March 1, 2020 while supplies last

An assortment of chocolates from popular chocolate brand Pierre Marcolini, named after the famous Belgian chocolatier, which is sure to make anyone happy. It includes a new chocolate called the “Gradation Cool.”

Impress with these little gems

Here’s a selection of gifts other than sweets that are great for those seeking something unique that no one else will buy.

Truffle Salt – ¥1,296 – @ DEAN & DELUCA (GRANSTA Floor B1F) / Available: Now on sale

This blended salt is a mix of summer truffle and natural sea salt. The absolute perfect gift for someone who loves cooking.

Dashi Stock – ¥1,080 @ Kayanoya (GRANSTA Marunouchi Floor B1F) / Available: Now on sale

An assortment of Kayanoya’s popular “Kayanoya Dashi” and their flavour-packed “Kiwami Dashi.” A great pick for those who want to return the favour with something out of the ordinary.

uka nail oil 13:00 – ¥3,300 @ FruitGATHERING (GRANSTA Floor B1F) / Available: Now on sale

Scented with refreshing mint and lemon and keeps your nails and skin nice and moist.

ecoffee cup-WILLIAM MORRIS – ¥2,310 Each @ Neue (GRANSTA Marunouchi Floor B1F) / Available: Now on sale

These beautifully stylish, textile-design cups are reusable, so you can take your coffee with you wherever and whenever.

High quality Belgian chocolate brand Godiva is releasing a limited edition chocolate selection and drink to celebrate White Day in Japan. White Day in Japan is celebrated a month after Valentine’s day and is seen as a day for boys to return the favour to the girls who gave them chocolates on Valentine’s day.

Shokorikisa White Chocolate Sakura Lala ♪  ￥680

Release: Saturday 16th February 2019 to Sunday 7th April 2019 (no more sales will be made once stock is depleted.)

Starting with the chocolate drink “Shokorikisa”, the  “Shokorikisa White Chocolate Sakura Lala ♪”  was born.  The new drink will be sold at limited Godiva shops from Saturday 16th February to Sunday 17th April 2019. The mild and fluffy texture along with the sweet aroma of cherry blossoms and cherries is melted together with white chocolate.  The pink frozen drink is layered with sakura jelly and whipped cream – from the way it looks and tastes to the feeling it leaves in your heart, this drink well and truly represents the coming of spring! Chocolate chips are used to give the appearance of cherry blossom flowers. This is luxuriously decorated with sakura sauce and whipped cream to add to the spring feeling. You can also enjoy the texture of broken chocolate that is contained within the drink.

Godiva Chef’s Choice Selection (5 chocolates)

Release date: Saturday 16th February

The White Day limited special collection “Godiva Chef’s Choice Collection” was created by 5 of Godiva’s highly-praised chocolatiers, who specially selected the ingredients and used them to inspire the creation of each individual chocolate. This luxurious flavour and scent is enough to melt your heart.

The limited edition chocolate includes the almond feuilletine, which contains crispy feuilletine pastry pieces and a smooth, velvety almond praline filling wrapped in milk chocolate. The chocolate is then decorated with white lines. The collection also includes the “raspberry orange”, which is a fresh raspberry and orange ganache chocolate that is covered in dark chocolate. The remaining chocolates include “salted caramel”, “pistachio” and “Black honey”.

What’s a better way of expressing your feelings to that special someone other than through this special selection of chocolates crafted by Godiva’s finest chocolatiers?

Sanrio’s hugely popular characters Pompompurin and Gudetama will meet at the Yokohama and Nagoya branches of the Pompompurin Cafe for a special Valentine’s Day and White Day menu special from January 15 to March 14.

Okota de Poka Poka Souffle Omurice: ¥1,290 (+Tax) *¥1,590 for the mug

This delightful dish has a rice ball Purin and Macaroon keeping warm under a Gudetama kotatsu souffle. Cheese sauce is hidden under the kotatsu, and when the food is combined with the added tomato sauce it makes for a richer taste and much more filling meal.

Pompompurin & Macaroon’s 2 Coloured Love Love Curry: ¥1,390 (+Tax)

This mysterious black and white curry has a mashed potato Macaroon filled with a meatball and Purin made from rice. They are both lovingly surrounded by lots of hearts.

Cream Cheese Sandwich Lovely Pancakes: ¥1,290 (+Tax)

Cream cheese-filled pancake sandwiches with Purin and Macaroon’s faces drawn on them, what could be cuter? The sweet and salty flavour combinations make for a tasty dessert.

Cocoa Cream On White Choco Purin: ¥590 (+Tax)

Mouths will drip at this dessert which sees a white chocolate Purin topped generously with cocoa cream.

*When ordered with a set it will be served at the set price of ¥350 (+tax).

Berry & Cream Cheese Trifle: ¥1,190 (+Tax)

Trifles are the treat that just keep on giving. This one is piled with berries, chocolate sponge cake, cream cheese and whipped cream before being topped with an ice cream Purin and Macaroon and strawberry roll cake. If you look closely you’ll see Gudetama hidden in there disguised as cheesecake.

Pompompurin Bubble Tea (20 Flavours): ¥550 Each (+Tax)

From classic choices such as milk tea and coconut milk to popular matcha milk and strawberry milk there are a whopping 20 bubble teas to choose from all topped with Pompompurin’s cute face.

Customers who dine at the cafe will each receive the above card calendar and lunch mat. The design of the calendar will change on February 15 until the collaboration ends.

Those who order a drink will also get the above coaster. All of these items will discontinue once the stock has been given out.

See, eat and drink cute food at the Pompompurin Cafe and treat that special someone this Valentine’s season.

This year’s Valentine’s Day has ended, and White Day is coming soon (March 14th)! Have you heard of “White Day” before?

White Day is a day when a man who has received gifts on Valentine’s Day, pays back the girl he received the present from by giving white chocolate or some snacks to show his feeling of thankfulness. White Day was first celebrated in 1978 in Japan. It was started by the National Confectionery Industry Association as an “answer day” to Valentine’s Day, Now however, this custom has spread to some East Asian countries such as China, Taiwan and Korea.

In this article, I will introduce to you some desserts which are suitable to be used as a present on White Day.

 “Zaku Zaku Blanc” Cream puff specialist shop CROQUANTCHOU ZAKUZAKU

The cream puff specialist shop, CROQUANTCHOU ZAKUZAKU have announced that they will release two new sweets items for Japan’s two romantic seasons: the dark chocolate clad Zaku Zaku Noir for Valentine’s Day and white chocolate Zaku Zaku Blanc for White Day. Zaku Zaku Blanc is the White Day dream, splashed with pure white chocolate. The white chocolate itself is sweetly rich and creamy and will dazzle your palate.

Detailed information：https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/85146

 “Sacoche” Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu

The new White Day gift, “Sacoche” is a cute chocolate, shaped like a hand bag using the motifs of polka dot and button. Colorful macarons (4 flavors – vanilla, chocolate, caramel, pistachio raspberry) are included inside the case made with chocolate! The standard dessert of White Day called “White Day Millle-Feuille o Phrase” is also recommended.

 “Ichigo no Truffle” Gin no Budo

The most popular White Day dessert of Gin no Budo “Ichigo (strawberry) no Truffle” was renewed. The product is a spring-limited product produced by Gin no Budo. The product is colored a strawberry pink and is known as one of the first photogenic desserts. The sweetness and sourness of this sweets item is superb!

 “White Day Cookie Tsumeawase” Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory

The sweets item comes with two cookies, Salt & Camembert, using thick camembert cheese and grand salt and Honey & Gorgonzola Cookie using gorgonzola cheese and honey made of rosemary flowers. The product is suitable to be used as a gift for persons who love to drink alcohol. Let’s get this product as soon as possible since the quantity is limited.

 “PAPOTER PAPOTER” Ginza Cozy Corner

The “PAPOTER PAPOTER” series which was released this Valentine’s Day will be renewed (White Day limited design). Cookies, madeleines and chocolates are included in the newly designed package using the motifs of cute animals. Message cards of animals’ illustrations and messages will surely make everybody smile!

 “Berry White Chocolate Pancake” Sarabeth

This menu item is an original pancake of Sarabeth created under the keyword of “pure love.” The product uses Sarabeth’s special pancake dough including white chocolate so it has a sweet and kind scent and you can also enjoy the soft texture. The combination of the pancakes and custard cream/strawberry sauce is excellent. It might be a good idea to eat this sweets item with your boyfriend/girlfriend or friends.

How did you like our White Day gift recommendations? Please refer to this article when you are not sure which sweets item to buy as a White Day gift.

Cream puff specialist shop CROQUANTCHOU ZAKUZAKU have announced that they are to release two new products for Japan’s two romantic seasons: the dark chocolate clad Zaku Zaku Noir for Valentine’s Day and white chocolate Zaku Zaku Blanc for White Day.

Zaku Zaku Noir is drizzled with luscious dark chocolate, perfect for Valentine’s Day. The fragrance of the cocoa and whole-bodied flavour of the dark chocolate make a perfect match for the custard cream filling.

Zaku Zaku Blanc is the White Day dream, splashed with pure white chocolate. The white chocolate itself is sweetly rich and creamy and will dazzle your palate.

Both luxuries are served sophisticatedly in limited edition white and black packaging to maintain the monotone theme of Valentine’s Day and White Day.

Moreover, if customers purchase the store’s staple cream puff, as well as one Zaku Zaku Noir and one Zaku Zaku Blanc, they will receive a discount coupon for a half-size “Zaku Zaku Soft” ice-cream. Purchase all 3 at once between January 18^th and March 18^th to obtain a coupon.

*Coupons redeemable from February 16^th – March 18^th

Why not head on over to CROQUANTCHOU ZAKUZAKU and get your hands on a crunchy cream puff for that special someone, a friend or even yourself?