Glico' famous sign in Osaka's Dotonbori district has not been renewed since 1998, so the company has announced that the current sign, the 5th, will be replaced in August. They advice visiting before that time if you want to take a picture of the current sign - one of the most iconic photos of Osaka. グリコ 道頓堀 大阪
http://www.glico.co.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Lotteria introduced the world's first shrimp burger (or ebi burger) in 1977, which has since become a regular product at many burger chains in Japan. They have just introduced a product renewal which features minor ingredient changes which result in overall improvement. To promote the renewal they are reducing the price by 50 yen during April.
http://lotteria.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Suntory is promoting its Akadama sweet red wine to be mixed with umeshu (plum shochu) on ice with a plum on top. I personally despise plum, so this looks like a waste of red wine to me, but each to his own. 赤玉スイートワイン サントリー
http://www.suntory.co.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Morinaga has redesigned its home delivery coffee milk bottles (single serving) to have a more retro feel. Unlike other countries, home delivery of milk remains a significant market and with Japan's aging population will probably only become more important in the future.
http://www.morinagamilk.co.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
The Guinness in Edo Era Japan April Fools joke was so well done that Guinness had to post an explanation and mild apology to those who were taken in. Very well done in my opinion.
http://www.guinness.com/ja-jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Another nice April Fool's gag comes from Guinness which claims to have found evidence of Guinness in 1791 (Edo Era) Japan. The news release includes this photo and quotes from a fictional Japanese scholar. Cheers. ギネス ビール 江戸時代
http://www.guinness.com/ja-jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
In Japan, work calendars and school years coincide with the fiscal year, therefore most new employees enter companies on April 1st. On TV, in newspapers and online there were many images of new faces at company entrance ceremonies all across Japan. This photo is of new employees at Fujiya.
http://www.fujiya-peko.co.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
In another great April Fool's joke, Kirin introduces the 1 ml Kirin Mini. This plays on jokes about the 135 ml beer cans which are considered laughingly small. Many online comments point to people actually wanting to buy 1 ml cans for key chains, etc.
http://www.kirin.co.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
In a country where food companies will try just about everything, it is not always easy to spot an April Fools joke. This is a pretty good one. Glico announces a curry flavored pudding, but clarifies it is not real in small print. Hats off to the marketing team at Glico.
http://www.glico.co.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
This product was introduced late last year, but is still on sale. Vanilla and matcha ice cream separated by sweet bean paste and topped off with a brown sugar sauce. A work of art called Japonais (French for Japanese). ジャポネ ハーゲンダッツ 黒蜜 抹茶
http://www.haagen-dazs.co.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
