Asahi Orion Southern Star Beer

Orion Beer, the Okinawan beer brand which is now a subsidiary of Asahi, has introduced a new 2nd category beer called Southern Star, which promises a new taste born in Okinawa. The small print states that the product will be sold nationwide - except Okinawa and Kagoshima - which is sort of odd.

http://www.asahibeer.co.jp/products/beer/southern_star/

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

Lotte Choco Pie 30th Anniversary

Lotte is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of their Choco Pie with a special cocoa cream filled, bitter chocolate cake version.

http://www.lotte-chocopie.com/

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

Mister Donut Halloween Snoopy Box

Mister Donut is an official sponsor of Universal Studios in Osaka, which among other properties features Peanuts characters. Mister Donut is selling special box sets which include the Halloween donuts mentioned yesterday, a Snoopy doll and a chance to win free tickets to Universal Studios. A piece of paper with a special code comes in each box and must be checked on a special website to determine the winners.

http://www.misterdonut.jp/m_menu/new/121001_001/snoopy.html

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

Ajinomoto Knorr

Knorr is a special case in that not only is it sold by Ajinomoto in Japan, but Ajinomoto owns the rights in Japan. Elsewhere in the world, Knorr is a Unilever brand. 味の素、クノール

http://knorr-club.jp/

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

Asahi Winter Gift Beer

Asahi is offering a seasonal beer (2nd category) which features European hops and partially crystal malts. アサヒ、冬の贈り物

http://www.asahibeer.co.jp/fuyuno-okurimono/

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

Lotte Halloween Choco Pie

Lotte is selling a Halloween version of its Choco Pie (which is similar to what Americans know as a moon pie). The package says there is a secret flavor sprinkled by a witch, that can be found on a special webpage. Spoiler alert! - - answer - - sweet honey. Not sure if a flavor spinkled by a witch would go over well in the US bible belt, but it is no problem here.

http://www.lotte.co.jp/products/brand/halloween/

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

Mister Donut Halloween Specials

Mister Donut is a donut shop chain. These Halloween special donuts are all pumpkin flavored - they either contain pumpkin or they are covered in pumpkin flavored chocolate.

http://www.misterdonut.jp/m_menu/new/121001_001/index.html

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

Yamazaki Nabisco

Nabisco goes through Yamazaki Baking in Japan in the form of a joint venture company, Yamazaki-Nabisco. The big Nabisco brands are carried: Oreo, Ritz, Chip Star, Premium crackers, etc.

http://www.yamazaki-nabisco.co.jp/index.html

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

Calpis Welch's Fruit Juices

Welch's fruit juices goes through Calpis, and thus Ajinomoto, in Japan. I didn't realize it, but the website notes that Welch's first went on sale in America in the year 1869.

http://www.calpis.co.jp/welch/lineup/

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

Hard Rock Cafe Egypt Pin

This pin celebrates the current King Tut exhibit on display at the Ueno Royal Museum in Ueno, Tokyo.

http://www.hardrockjapan.com/merchandise/2012_ueno_egypt_series.asp#drummer_pin

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