This dates from earlier this year, but is interesting nevertheless. MOS Burger and JAL collaborated on special meals including Tohato potato rings and a signature MOS rice burger. It is worth noting that this was not just offered to kids, but also to adults in first and business classes.
https://www.facebook.com/mosburger
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
The zero fat trend came relatively late to Japan. I used to think this market was smart enough to see through what I consider bogus - you cannot reduce fat without increasing other components such as carbohydrates. But when the demand is great, companies have to respond. Here is a zero fat, grape flavored yogurt (carbohydrates 21.8g/120g)
http://www.meijibulgariayogurt.com/product/detail-29.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
This has to be my favorite ice cream variety. Not so fancy I suppose, but oh so addictive. I feel like I remember being a fan of this variety before it became a standard item in all ice cream stores. In any case, it certainly is a standard here in Japan also. Although the image on the package looks a great deal like Oreo cookies, the copy stresses that the cookies are an original Haagen Dazs offering. ハーゲンダッツ クッキー&クリーム
http://www.haagen-dazs.co.jp/products/minicup/cookies-cream.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Hokkaido yubari melons are highly prized and can go for outrageous prices. Fortunately there are normal versions of the melon and those are frequently sold to visitors to be taken back as gifts. The special Hokkaido variety of KitKat consists of yubari melon flavored wafers covered in milk chocolate and is sold only in Hokkaido. As with all these regional varieties of KitKat, they can most easily be found in train stations, airports and other places visitors and travelers are most likely to pass through. ネスレ キットカット 夕張メロン
http://d.nestle.jp/kitkat/omiyage/kk_yubari.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
This honey flavor Bulgaria yogurt is only available through home delivery.
Strawberry is a flavor which almost seems Japanese to me now, as many areas of Japan are "known" for their specific variety of delicious strawberries and many families and work groups go on outings were you are let loose in a strawberry greenhouse and allowed to eat as much as you want for 20 minutes or so. This offering from Haagen Dazs does not use Japanese strawberries however - strawberries from the American northwest are used.
http://www.haagen-dazs.co.jp/products/minicup/strawberry.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
This is a lychee tea from MegMilk Snow Brand. Lychee is popular in Japan, so this is not surprising. The interesting/ugly comic on the package. I thought it might be a popular comic, but could not find any information about it anywhere. They mention that customers should look forward to the story, so I suppose there will be more in the series. Maybe this character appeals to kids, it certainly would not attract me to the product though. 雪印 ライチティー
http://www.meg-snow.com/news/2012/pdf/20121004-483.pdf (PDF)
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Kobe, similar to Yokohama, has an international image and was were many foreigners lived during the pre-modern era. The special Kobe KitKat variety is pudding flavored (pudding is popular, but still considered a Western import) and the special box is in the shape of an ijinkan 異人館 (the type of house foreigners built during the Meiji Era). ネスレ キットカット 神戸プリン 異人館 Nestle
http://d.nestle.jp/kitkat/omiyage/kk_mni_kobepudding_ijinkan.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
According to the website, Haagen Dazs Vanilla has been part of the line-up since 1961, when the brand started. Japan is no exception, as this flavor tops the list of current offerings.
http://www.haagen-dazs.co.jp/products/minicup/vanilla.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Pronto is promoting wine spritzers on its bar menu. This photo shows a wine spritzer-white liver pate set. プロント、ワイン、スプリッツァー
http://www.pronto.co.jp/menu/bar/index.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
