Went to Bikkuri Donkey restaurant with the family tonight. Very reasonable and the chopped beef is seasoned just right. Aside from the food, I was reminded how Bikkuri Donkey plays all Beatles, all the time. Just think back almost 50 years ago when parents in the West didn't like the long hair and loud music, and here in Japan rightists protested because the Beatles played the Budokan. Now Beatles music is the only choice for music that will offend no one, everyone knows and everyone likes - worldwide. And once again it is almost 50 years after the music was first released pretty amazing. びっくりドンキー
http://www.bikkuri-donkey.com/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
McDonald's is promoting a 15 piece McNugget box for 600 yen, starting at 5 pm each day.
http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/chickenmcnuggets/index.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Kirin Ichiban Shibori Stout Beer is the stout version of Ichiban Shibori which uses the same first wort, but also crystal malt and roast barley. キリン スタウト
http://www.kirin.co.jp/brands/ichibanstout/about/index.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Tochiotome is said to be the most popular variety of strawberry in Japan. It was developed in and is not grown in Tochigi Prefecture. It claims to have a very good shape, taste and color. A special KitKat variety mixing tochiotome strawberry and white chocolate is sold only in Tochigi Prefecture. ネスレ キットカット ミニ とちおとめ
http://d.nestle.jp/kitkat/omiyage/kk_mini_tochiotome.html
http://www.tochigi-ichigo.net/staticpages/index.php?page=whats
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
This fish variety pack was shown on the Facebook page for the Goto Project 五島列島支援プロジェクト, a fan/support page. I cannot identify all the fish and only snapper and amberjack are noted. Nothing like good fresh fish though. The Goto Islands are located off the coast of Kyushu and is known in the west as one of the main places where the "Hidden Christians 隠れキリシタン survived the centuries when Christianity was banned and penalized by death in Japan.
Kirin Ichiban Shibori Beer 一番搾りビール was introduced in 1990 and I think it was the biggest brand in Japan until Asahi Dry took over that title. It remains very popular and the concept for its good taste is the following. During the beer production process, wort is separated from the mash solids. It is squeezed out if you will. This is done more than once on the same mash, but Kirin only uses the first separation for Ichiban Shibori beer, and that is what ichiban shibori means in Japanese - first press, first separation or more simply the first wort. キリン 一番搾り製法
http://www.kirin.co.jp/brands/IS/index.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Meiji's popular KinokoSato mushroom-shaped, chocolate covered cracker line is selling a special winter version, which adds chocolate covered macadamia nuts to the mix. In this version, the mushroom-shaped crackers are chocolate flavored and are coated in white chocolate. 明治 きのこの山 マカダミアナッツ
http://www.meiji.co.jp/corporate/pressrelease/2012/detail/20121108_01.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Yokohama is associated with early contact with the western world, as it was the main port used by foreigners following the opening of Japan in the late 1800s. Cakes were one of the foods introduced through western contact and is thus associated with Yokohama. Therefore the KitKat variety which represents Yokohama is Strawberry Cheesecake, and is sales are restricted to the Kanto area. ネスレ キットカット ミニ ストロベリーチーズケーキ味
http://d.nestle.jp/kitkat/omiyage/kk_mini_strawberrycheese.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Heartland is a beer a brand that Kirin started in 1986 as a craft beer and beer hall in Roppongi. The beer hall has since been turned into a trendy concept bar and the beer is now made in a large factory alongside other brands, but the brand image remains that of a craft brew. Also the bottle appears not to have changed at all since the beer's initial introduction. キリン ハートランド
http://www.heartland.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Meiji's best selling line of economy priced personal ice cream, Essel Super Cup, is introducing a new flavor on the 19th, Cheese Cake. This product uses cream cheese and gouda cheese, as well as butter flavored cookie bits. 明治 エッセル スーパーカップ チーズケーキ
http://www.meiji.co.jp/corporate/pressrelease/2012/detail/20121106_01.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
