New Products
New KitKat taps brand of apple pie sticks from Aomori Prefecture
Ever since 2002 when it released Yubari melon flavor KitKat, Nestlé has been developing local KitKat varieties in collaboration with local specialty produce, products such as matcha and sake, and various local brands. Such regional KitKats have become known and appreciated as souvenirs to be enjoyed not only by Japanese… Read
Japan’s dessert-inspired bubble teas are about to make the holidays even sweeter for boba fans
As a super popular Taiwanese boba stand, The Alley has been a trendy staple of Japan’s bubble tea scene since the brand’s signature deer insignia landed in Tokyo a few years ago. Known for their Instagrammable beverages, they also turn their hand to some seasonal offerings every so often too.… Read
Nissin’s new Donbei premium udon is the chewiest instant udon ever
When it first came out in 1976, Nissin's Donbei Kitsune Udon was the world's first ever bowl-shaped instant noodle and it has been a familiar comfort food in Japan ever since. For those who don't know it, kitsune udon is udon soup topped with abura-age 油揚げ (sometimes abbreviated as o-age)… Read
Japanese company creates 'business card masks' that put your name and workplace on your face
There’s been remarkably little resistance towards wearing masks in Japan during the pandemic. With masks already a common sight during Japan’s winter flu and spring hay fever seasons, strapping one on to help prevent the spread of modern history’s most devastating breath-spread disease isn’t something that anyone is going to… Read
'Rainbow Fire' lets you camp in style with multicolored flames
Campfires are a ubiquitous part of the camping experience. Whether you use your campfire to roast marshmallows for s’mores or to keep you and your anime-girl tent warm, campfires add to the general cozy atmosphere of a night outdoors. For our at-home camping expert, Saya Togashi, camping has provided her a different opportunity when it… Read
Release a rampaging Godzilla into your home with this ‘Burning Godzilla Humidifier’
This new humidifier from Shine Co Ltd resembles the iconic burning Godzilla monster as seen in Toho Studio’s 1995 movie "Godzilla vs Destroyah." In the movie, fans will recall the moment when the king of the monsters was struck by a volcanic eruption and absorbed the energy from a uranium deposit hidden… Read
Velvetiser creates barista-grade hot chocolate
The Velvetiser by Hotel Chocolat, engineered by Dualit, is a hot chocolate machine that creates barista-grade hot chocolate, made with real grated chocolate flakes, in just 2 1/2 minutes. No need for the resident hot chocolate maker to slave over a hot stove, slowly heating milk and showering cocoa powder. Instead,… Read
Maison Sushi adds chic new card and coin cases, shoulder bags to lineup
Back in 1961, the All-Japan Sushi Association declared Nov 1 to be Sushi Day in Japan. In honor of that day, sushi fabric brand Maison Sushi (メゾン寿司) recently added some new arrivals to their lineup of sushi-themed accessories and articles of clothing. The items are subtly stylish and immediately recognizable once you… Read
Krispy Kreme Japan’s ‘Happy Holiday’ Christmas doughnuts are just as cute as you’d expect
Although seasonal doughnuts appear in many parts of the world, Japan is arguably the country where you can find the most adorable ones. Just take Japan’s branches of Krispy Kreme as an example. They’ve got every season covered, from New Year to Easter to Halloween, each one with seemingly cuter creations than the last. Since… Read
Put a spring in your sushi with cricket soy sauce from Antcicada
With powdered cricket, mealworm, beetles and ants making their way into snack foods, pasta, protein bars, and all manner of insect consumables filling the shelves of stores and supermarkets worldwide, insects as a food source is clearly no longer an outlier trend. According to a 2019 report from Barclays, the… Read
