Morinaga Partheno Greek Yogurt

Morinaga has introduced Japan's first Greek-style yogurt. Their take on Greek yogurt differs as it is being marketed as a premium yogurt in personal 80 gram cups with a packet of honey on top. The product information goes something like "not only for health and beauty, Greek yogurt is among the most delicious of yogurts". Most of the emphasis in the copy is about how concentrated the yogurt is (3 times that of ordinary yogurt), the product is placed along side probiotic yogurts, and it is priced at a premium, 180 yen.

Aside from the taste, the appeal of Greek yogurt is the high protein content - thus making it attractive to people who watch their carbohydrates. Unfortunately, the added honey defeats that purpose, but I like the upside down spoon photo.

http://partheno-gy.jp/about/index.html

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

Meiji Perfect Plus Sozai Gisshiri

Meiji, as part of its Perfect Plus line of nutrition bars and drinks, has introduced two Sozai Gisshiri products which translates roughly as "Packed Full of (Nutritious) Ingredients". Pictured is the chocolate and mixed grains and fruit version, which is 167 calories and boasts fiber, 10 vitamins and iron. There is also a cranberry and blueberry version.

http://www.meiji.co.jp/health/p-plus/balance/sozai_choco.html

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

Hokkaido Ramen in Oiso

This is a great ramen shop in Oiso along Route 1, which is usually crowded. They offer Sapporo, Hakodate and Asahikawa style ramens. 北海道らーめん壱龍
http://tabelog.com/kanagawa/A1404/A140408/14010691/

FamilyMart Hatsune Miku Promotion

To celebrate 5 years of the phenomenon that is Hatsune Miku (初音ミク), FamilyMart is holding a giveaway of goods with the images of character on them. The grand prize is a limited edition shooter with an image of Hatsune Miku on the side. If you have not heard of Hatsune Miku, it may be worth your time to spend some time catching up on the Wikipedia site (link below). Japan still has the power to create high-tech/anime phenomena. Hatsune Miku was originally created as a voice synthesizer, but was such a hit that the character created to represent the software has branched out into many other areas such as manga and virtual concerts both in Japan and the US.

Customers who purchase 500 yen or more of the goods designated in the promotion will automatically have a code printed out on their receipt, which can be checked using a special page on the internet.

http://www.family.co.jp/campaign/miku_loves/index.html?feat=0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatsune_Miku

Link with good photos
http://gigazine.net/news/20120813-hatsune-yakisoba/  

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

Food at Oiso Long Beach

Oiso Long Beach is a very popular, huge pool complex just outside Tokyo located next to a Prince Hotel in the city of Oiso, Kanagawa. The top photo shows the popular rainbow shaved ice and the on the right grilled squid. The details on the lower photo are hard to see, but it is Pizza-La the pizza chain in Japan, and they are selling beer and most of the pizzas have corn, potatoes or mayonnaise on them.

7-Eleven Kyoto Uji Premium Tea

As part of its premium line of private brand products 7-Eleven has introduced a limited edition Kyoto Uji Gyokuro (京都宇治玉露) in attractive gold packaging. Gyokuro tea is a variety of Japanese tea where a special process keeps the level of amino acids (acid taste) and catechins (bitter taste) low, thus providing a tea with fewer off flavors. This product sells at a premium as compared with other teas while only containing 400 ml (not the more common 500 ml).

http://www.sej.co.jp/products/gyokuro1208.html

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

MOS Burger 4 Limited Sandwiches

MOS Burger introduced 4 new sandwiches today for a limited time. They claim to be 4 delicious tastes not widely known across Japan. What this means is they are developing these sandwiches based on regional dishes and are therefore introducing them to all of Japan. Not exactly an original idea here in Japan, but with the almost limited supply of regional dishes and variations, it is almost always fun.

The limited edition items are as follows:
Hokkaido, Kujiro - Spaghetti Pork Cutlet Burger (tomato spaghetti, meat sauce, tartar sauce)　スパカツバーガー
Osaka - Tonten or Pork Tempura Burger (Japanese pork tempura, salted onion sauce with sesame and ginger) 豚天バーガー
Hokkaido - Zangi Burger (fried Japanese chicken marinated in soy sauce, ginger and garlic, mayonnaise base including Sendai miso and soy sauce) ザンギバーガー
Miyazaki - Chicken Nanban Burger (fried Japanese chicken with a sweet vinegar and tartar sauce) チキン南蛮バーガー

http://www.mos.co.jp/cp/area/120814/

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

Pronto Party and Nominication

Proto has a promotion which uses two play on words. The first is the name of the promotion or club. It is called Pronto, but is written using the Chinese character meaning political party. The feeling conveyed is that you would almost be joining a movement instead of a discount club. The second play on words is the motto which goes something like "Now more than ever, regain the right to go drinking and communicate." Sounds better in Japanese "いまこそ、日本のノミニケーションの復権を", which is also worded like a political slogan. The play on words comes from the combining of the words for go drinking "nomini" and "communication" into a new word "nominication".

Most people who have spent any time in Japan know that Japanese businessmen are famous for going out with coworkers after work and having a drink. Much more so than in the US or Europe, this is the time when real feelings can be expressed and tensions relieved. Thus drinking and communication are very closely related here. The man in the photo here is showing an almost iconic pose with his necktie pulled up and used as a bandana of sorts. This is not an uncommon sight and shows everyone around that this person is letting his hair down. He is thus inviting other people to join in and can also be excused if he goes over the line a bit in something he says or does.

Oh yes, back to the promotion. If you join the Pron-to, you have to pay 500 yen, but receive a Ponto Edy card that qualifies you for numerous discounts at the Pronto bar.

http://www.pronto.co.jp/topics/detail.php?id=219

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

Smoked Turkey Leg and Beer

Great combination at a restaurant in Disney Sea.

Coca Cola Aquarius Zero & Salt

Coca Cola certainly markets water and salt replenishment heavily, but bucks the trend a bit by not using the word salt (), but instead sticks with sodium and one of the selling points for this Aquarius Zero sports drink is 40 mg sodium/100 ml of liquid. It can also be seen in this photo how this product is not only marketed for sports enthusiasts but also for mothers who spend a lot of time outdoors with their children and therefore are subject to the heat for long periods of time. To make sure the point is not missed, there is even space on the product page dedicated to the current weather and the number of heat related incidents or heat stroke nationwide. A link takes you to a special Coca Cola page for more detailed information (link below).

http://c.cocacola.co.jp/family/aquarius/

Coca Cola Weather Page were national and local weather are shown as well as incidences of heat related incidences or heat stroke. From here it is easy to navigate to your specific area or city.
http://c.cocacola.co.jp/life/weather_index.htm

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