Fujiya Hinamatsuri Strawberry Shortcake

Hinamatsuri or Girls' Day is tomorrow. It is not a work holiday like the former Boys' Day (now Children's Day), but ceremonial dolls are part of this event and cakes and other items that mimic these ceremonial dolls are popular seasonal products. Fujiya, now a subsidiary of Yamazaki Bakery, runs nationwide cake and sweets shops. Pictured is a strawberry shortcake for this event where the traditional Japanese court figures are replaced with the Fujiya store characters - Peko-chan and Poco-chan.

http://www.fujiya-peko.co.jp/

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

7-Eleven Sicilian Salt Vanilla Ice Cream

7-Eleven is selling a limited edition Sio Vanilla Ice Cream made with Sicilian salt and vanilla beans from Madagascar. I like the way many products here in Japan market the source of ingredients. Morinaga is not mentioned in the advertising, but they manufacture this product. "Sio" is an alternate transliteration of "shio" or salt. シチリア 塩バニラ セブンイレブン

http://www.sej.co.jp/

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

7-Eleven Cold Stone Cheesecake & Berry Pie

Cold Stone Creamery is selling limited edition Glamorous Cheesecake Fantasy and Mille-Feuille Berry Pie ice cream versions only through 7-Eleven. ガラマラスチーズケーキファンタジー ミルフィーユベリーパイ

http://www.sej.co.jp/

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

Pronto Strawberry Chocolate Mocha

Pronto, the coffee chain, is offering a strawberry chocolate mocha which looks more like a dessert than a cup of coffee. Hope they can serve it looking this nice.  プロント コーヒー ストロベリー チョコレート モカ

http://www.pronto.co.jp/

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

Kraft Eat Cheese for Beauty

Kraft, which goes through Morinaga in Japan, also promotes the potential beauty benefits of cheese: calcium for female hormone balance, vitamin A for skin care and vitamin B2 for skin and hair care. These are not accepted claims.

http://www.morinagamilk.co.jp/

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

Suntory 7-Eleven Limited Edition Boss Coffee

Suntory and 7-Eleven have collaborated on a limited edition Boss Coffee only available through SEVEN&i Premium outlets, meaning 7-Eleven and Itoyokado. It is called 7 because it is a blend of coffee from seven different countries. It would be interesting to learn what benefit 7 varieties brings to the mix, but that is not detailed. There are regular (blue) and reduced sugar (red) versions.

http://www.sej.co.jp/

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

CircleKSunkus Strawberry Castella

Under its private brand Cherie Dolce, the convenience store chain CircleKSunkus is offering a Strawberry Castella that looks very good. It uses Amaou strawberries from Shizuoka Prefecture. あまおう苺 カステラ シェリエドルチェ サークルKサンクス

http://www.circleksunkus.jp/

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

Calpis L-92 Probiotic

Calpis has the L-92 probiotic strain and sells this drink in 200 ml bottles. They do not have FOSHU () approval for a claim so they try to on the package, they try to convey the feeling without actually making a claim.

カルピス社からの乳酸菌科学から
from Calpis' Lactic acid bacteria science
守る働く乳酸菌
Lactic acid bacteria that works to protect
カラダの中から、より強く
become stronger from the inside

https://www.calpis.co.jp

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

Circle K Sunkus Coffee Anman

CircleKSunkus is the fourth largest convenience store chain in Japan. They were actually ahead of the larger chains in introducing freshly brewed coffee in-store. Now to go along with this, they are offering coffee flavored anman (sweet bean filled manju). Looks pretty good to me. サークルKサンクス コーヒーあんまん

http://www.circleksunkus.jp/

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

Suntory Limited Edition 2014 Sherry Cask Hakushu

This is a bottle of limited edition 2014 single malt sherry cask Suntory Hakushu Whisky. Looks very nice, but probably a bit out of my price range.

http://www.suntory.com/whisky/

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