Tokyo Banana 20th Anniversary

As mentioned before, Tokyo Banana has become something of a Tokyo institution. They are celebrating 20 years of the product. I suppose they are emphasizing how long it has been around, but I sort of look at it the opposite way - in only 20 years it as become an institution. That makes it much younger than most other well known regional sweets.

http://www.tokyobanana.jp/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

KFC HIS Promotion

Kentucky Fried Chicken is collaborating with H.I.S. in a promotion where the grand prize is 1 million yen in travel coupons. This promotion also involves Ponta, the digital money service which both of these companies accept. H.I.S. is the largest Japanese discount ticket travel agency for foreign destinations. Entry requires registering for the email magazine via a mobile phone.

http://www.his-j.com/ponta/kfc/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Budweiser Girls Japan‏

Budweiser uses the same "Budweiser Girls" marketing strategy in Japan, but while much may look familiar, the Japanese emphasis on cuteness is also obvious.

http://www.budweiser.jp/main.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

McDonald's Golden Masala

As World Mc moves from France to India, McDonald's has introduced two Golden Masala sandwiches.
Hot Golden Masala (left) - which uses curry sauce, spices and grits (or hominy, but the photo looks like regular corn)
Mild Golden Masala (right) - also uses curry sauce and a chutney-mayonnaise sauce.

World Mac moves to Australia at the end of August.

http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/world_mc/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

7-Eleven Kamen Rider Goods

7-Eleven is giving away Kamen Rider (仮面ライダー) goods with purchases. Kamen Rider (or "masked rider") is an action series which has made numerous incarnations over the years and remains a children's favorite.

http://www.sej.co.jp/products/kamenichiban1207.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Tokyo Banana Tree

Tokyo Banana is a long standing Tokyo treat sold mostly to people visiting Tokyo to take back with them as "omiyage" gifts. They have introduced a new version with leopard spots, not sure the meaning of that, to commemorate the opening of the Tokyo SkyTree and also the opening of a Tokyo Banana shop in the SkyTree Town.

http://www.tokyobanana.jp/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Burger King Hot Jamaica

Here is a better photo of the Burger King Hot Jamaica Campaign and Angry J sandwiches.

http://www.burgerkingjapan.co.jp/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Sapporo Personalized Mug‏

In another of a series, Sapporo is giving away personalized (name engraved) mugs to 3,500 people in celebration of 35 years of Sapporo Black Label beer. These mugs are made by Nosaku (能作) a traditional and famous maker of tin goods located in Toyama Prefecture. Entry is by mailing in proof-of-purchase.

http://www.sapporobeer.jp/beer/cp_beermug/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Meiji CRISPY's Candy

Meiji CRISPY's candy is the non-frozen version of this product line and instead of ice cream is filled with whipped white chocolate. They also just introduced a version with a strawberry and chocolate coating (and no wafer). I am trying to get a grip on the essence of this product line. The white soft filling appears to be necessary and a hard, crunchy chocolate coating appears to be essential. The wafer is obviously expendable and the nature of the filling appears to be flexible. I have tried the ice cream version and it is pretty good.

http://www.meiji.co.jp/sweets/crispys/products/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

7-Eleven Ishi-chan Products

7-Eleven is promoting a line of rice and noodle products in collaboration with Hidehiko Ichizuka (石塚英彦), a comedian and now gormet of regional foods who is associated with the phrase "mau" まいう～ or "delicious". The promoted products display photos of Ishizuka or "Ishi-chan".

http://www.sej.co.jp/products/ishichan1207.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.