KitKat Umeshu is a new product produced by Hidetoshi Nakata specifically aimed at foreign tourists coming to Japan. It was first made available at CRAFT SAKE WEEK＠KITKAT BAR, a Japanese sake bar for those coming from overseas, on September 13. The bar will run until September 24 at CITAN, a hostel, cafe and bar in Higashi-Nihombashi. The KitKat was also released for general sale on the Japanese market on September 18.
Hidetoshi Nakata toured over 350 sake brewers and with his expertise launched the first Craft Sake Week in 2016, a huge coming together of sake artisans in Japan. The KITKAT BAR is part of that experience which has opened for inbound foreigners to try Japanese sake.
The bar offers a special and exclusive menu featuring a careful selection of premium Japanese alcohol by Nakata as well as an original menu developed by chefs of well-known restaurants. They also offer a range of cocktails including one that’s made with umeshu tsuruume suppai, an ingredient used in the new plum wine KitKat.
The bar counter is crowned with a chandelier made from masu boxes which were created for measuring rice. This offers a new and unique way of experiencing the charm of Japanese culture. Since the bar has opened it’s been packed with foreigner customers.
A female Asian customer who tasted the plum wine KitKat paired with the bar’s original ‘Kishuu Tonic’ cocktail expressed her surprise at how well they went together: “The sweetness of the KitKat and freshness of the cocktail matched exquisitely together. Despite the cocktail using sake as the base it was really easy to drink and delicious. Sake and chocolate go well together, don’t they.”
A male American customer compared the taste of the KitKat with the Umeshu Tsuruume Suppai wine used in the KitKat: “The combination of the sour plum wine with the sweet chocolate was delicious beyond my expectations. There’s a lot of flavours in Japan we can’t get overseas, so I want to buy things and take them back as souvenirs.”
Speaking about Craft Sake Week, producer of the bar Hidetoshi Nakata commented the following: “I want lots of people to get to know about the enjoyment and appeal of Japanese sake and plum wine through this event and KitKat Umeshu Umetsuri to further expand the reach of them overseas.”
Experience the KitKat and Japanese sake for yourself at CRAFT SAKE WEEK @ KITKAT BAR.
■Information
CRAFT SAKE WEEK @ KITKAT BAR
Location: CITAN (15-2 Nihonbashiodenmacho, Chuo Ward, Tokyo)
Running: September 13, 2018 – September 24, 2018
Opening Hours
[Monday-Thursday, Sunday] 6:00pm-12:00am (Last Orders 11:30pm)
[Friday-Saturday] 6:00pm-1:00am (Last Orders 12:30am)
Website: https://nestle.jp/brand/kit/tsuruume/
KitKat Mini Umeshu Tsuriume
Location: Souvenir shops, KitKat Gift Shop (at Rinku Premium Outlet), KitKat Chocolatory (select branches)
RRP Price: ¥700 (Pre-Tax)
On Sale: From September 18, 2018
Quantity: 9 bars
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Good news for Kit Kat fans! Not only is a new Kit Kat specialty store set to open, it’ll be giving away sushi Kit Kats!
That’s right, we’re happy to report that Nestlé Japan will be opening its first stand-alone Kit Kat Chocolatory store in Tokyo’s Ginza district on Februray 2, and what’s more, they’ll be commemorating the event with gifts of special sushi Kit Kats!
Since the first Kit Kat Chocolatory opened in January of 2014 as a specialty store offering premium and exclusive Kit Kats, the franchise has expanded to eight stores across Japan, but so far they have all been in-store establishments located within major department stores.
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“KitKat Nihonsyu Masuizumi” produced by Hidetoshi Nakata who is actively working to let the world know about great Japanese traditional industries including the nihonshu (Japanese sake) industry, is now on sale.
The “KitKat” series consists of more than 30 kinds of items centering around the “Maccha” flavor and these sweets are gathering much attention from foreign tourists.
This time, the brand collaborated with Hidetoshi Nakata and renewed the “nihonsyu” flavor. A new “KitKat Nihonshu” flavor was born using “Masuizumi” from Tomiyama which was chosen out of 100 sake brands based on the votes from nihonsyu lovers.
“KitKat Nihonsyu” which took about a year to develop was created to present the sharp taste of “Masuizumi.” You can enjoy the rich flavor and delicate aftertaste of the soft sweetness of the white chocolate and sake.
In order to let many people know about nishonshu, they printed a short article on the package so that so that the purchasers of this product can learn about nihonshu briefly.
▼Hidetoshi Nakata’s comment
I recommended “Masuda Shuzo” (Masuda brewery) which has been working to diffuse the nihonshu industry. This sake brewery is one of my favorite and they create high-quality sake.
You can enjoy the unique aroma and flavor of “Masuizumi” right after you put the sake in your mouth. I am sure that people from foreign countries who love chocolate can enjoy this product, not just Japanese people.
Why don’t you purchase “KitKat Nihonshu” as a souvenir?
■InformationKitKat Mini Nihonsyu Masuizumi
Price: 700 yen
Available stores: souvenir stores throughout Japan
Release date: mid September
Source：Nestle Press Release
http://www.nestle.co.jp/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/20170911_kitkat
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A premium chocolate store where souvenirs can be bought until the last train time “Kit Kat Chocolatory Yatai” will be opened from the 11th of December 2017 to the 17th (Sun.) at Ginza’s “Corridor Town.”
“Kit Kat Chocolatory” is a specialized store of “Premium Kit Kat” made with special ingredients using a manufacturing process directed by one of Japan’s top patissiers, Yasumasa Takagi. The product has been gaining popularity among many people as a small gift for family members, friends and colleagues.
This time, they opened “Kit Kat Chocolatory Yatai” for persons who go home late because they are very busy working or participating in year-end dinner parties in December! To support busy people giving special gifts to their family or partners, the premium chocolate yatai will be opened until the last train time.
The yatai is a road-side store which has a red lantern as a signboard and anybody can visit a yatai in a casual manner. Also, they will sell a packaged product called “Sushiorifu Kit Kat” which looks like “sushiori” (a gift box filled with sushi). They will sell products such as a product using special couverture chocolate and chocolates with several flavors including “bitter,” “milk” and “white.” The message sticker placed on top of the box has three designs.
They are also planning to sell limited products and the standard products of “Kit Kat Chocolatory” in addition to the products noted above. Why not give one of these gifts to person who are precious to you and express your appreciation?
■Information
Kit Kat Chocolatory Yatai
Venue: Ginza “Corridor Town” 6th avenue, Ginza, Chuoku, Tokyo
Date: 2017,12,11 (Mon.) to 17 (Sun.)
Kit Kat official site: https://nestle.jp/brand/kit/
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In accordance with Earth Day, which is set for April 22, Nestlé released its limited-time KitKat Mini Maple on Monday to raise awareness of environmental issues and the future of the planet.
KitKat Mini Maple (3 Included)
KitKat Mini Maple (12 Included)
9 packaging designs with different messages related to the environment
'KitKat Always For Earth Day' online talk event to take place on April 30
In September 2019, Nestlé began packaging five of its major large-sized KitKat bags in paper bags rather than plastic, and since autumn 2020, most of their large sized bags are now made from paper. This has helped reduce 450 tonnes of plastic per year. Now, Nestlé is releasing a new collection of packages for Earth Day featuring original designs by up-an-coming young artist SUGI. Each features messages from members of MIMO, a group managed by Japanese model Mila Aina, stating messages about helping to protect the environment and the future of planet earth.Information
KitKat Mini Maple
Release Date: April 19, 2021 (Limited Edition)
Online Talk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitkat_japan_official/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3tkan9Ml07VHX8ztozVrJQ/featuredKitKat Japan Official Website: https://nestle.jp/brand/kit/
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Nestlé Japan is opening a new branch of KitKat Chocolatory inside Shibuya's new shopping mall Miyashita Park on August 4, 2020.
KitKat Chocolatory is a direct-to-consumer chain, serving premium, handcrafted KitKats made with top quality ingredients and production methods under full direction by Takagi Yasumasa―the owner and chef of LE PATISSIER TAKAGI. Its product line-up features a range perfect as gifts to friends, family and co-workers, or as a treat to yourself. Japan is home to eight KitKat Chocolatory branches. The new Miyashita Park Shibuya branch will open as the fourth in Tokyo, as well as the first where you can create your own KitKat products. My KITKAT: ¥2,000 (Before Tax)
"My KITKAT" comes as the world's first KitKat service where consumers can create their own original chocolate bars.
KitKat Waffle: ¥1,000 (Before Tax)
KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Soft Cream: ¥630 (Before Tax)
KitKat Chocolatory Miyashita Park Shibuya will also sell a variety of unique and exclusive KitKat desserts, like luxurious soft serve ice cream topped with couverture chocolate. It will also offer a cafe menu created by Nespresso, where customers can pair Chocolatory desserts with seasonal coffee menus, and more.
Shibuya-esque wall art will decorate the interior of the shop, making for plenty of photo opportunities. Information
KitKat Chocolatory Miyashita Park Shibuya
Grand Opening: August 4, 2020
Address: Miyashita Park South 2F, 6-20-10 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 11:00-21:00 (Last Orders 20:00)
TEL: 03-6427-6811
Official Website: https://nestle.jp/brand/kit/chocolatory/
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Nestlé Japan is collaborating with popular Japanese illustrator Misaki Tanaka to release a new series of chocolate packaging on April 15 at KitKat Chocolatory. The concept behind the packaging is to have people choose the chocolate they want based on the words and pictures branded on the single chocolate boxes. The KitKat Chocolatory is a direct-to-consumer chain, serving premium, handcrafted KitKats made with top quality ingredients and production methods under full direction by Takagi Yasumasa―the owner and chef of LE PATISSIER TAKAGI. Its luxurious line is endless, with products ranging from the elusive ruby chocolate, whose cocoa beans give the finish product its pink colour, to volcanic chocolate made from rare cocoa beans sourced from volcanic islands.
KitKat Mekakushi Chocolatory - ¥300~¥400 (Before Tax)
There are 15 different package designs in total which will be sold for a limited time. None of the boxes have information of the flavour or name of the chocolates; instead you pick which you want based on how the packaging looks. They make for a great gift to yourself and others.
The words chosen on the packaging reflect the feelings one goes through in love or everyday life. Misaki Tanaka has provided the perfect illustrations to better picture those times. KitKat Mekakushi Chocolatory Full Box (15 Included) - ¥5,100 (Before Tax)
Those who want all of the flavours can purchase the assorted box of 15. The box lid features another original illustration by Miskai Tanaka. And if you roll up to KitKat Chocolatory Ginza between April 15 and May 17, they will have a special exhibition of the illustrations on show.
Information
KitKat Mekakushi Chocolatory
Available: 7 branches of KitKat Chocolatory (3 in Tokyo/2 in Osaka/1 in Kawasai/1 in Hiroshima) & Nestlé Japan Website (*Only 15 sets will be sold online)
Official Website: https://nestle.jp/brand/kit/chocolatory/mekakushi/
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Shingo Katori is an official ambassador of KitKat Japan, and he appeared in the latest television commercial for the chocolate brand which began broadcasting on March 27. The commercial was also posted on the KitKat Japan website. Japan has the biggest KitKat market in the world. In September 2019, in an effort to reduce the amount of plastic waste, Nestlé made the decision to alter the packaging of five types of its large size KitKat chocolate bars from plastic to paper. The paper can then be used to make paper cranesーa symbol of hopes and prayers in traditional Japanese cultureーor for writing messages on to give to people.
In KitKat's latest commercial, Shingo Katori comes together with young people to create an art piece from the paper packaging which reads, "Let's all work hard together!" in Japanese. See the commercial here on the Nestlé website or here on their official YouTube channel. -
The new "KitKat Mini Yogurt Sake" will be released on March 16, 2020. It is made with a famous brand of sake known as "Chonoko Jersey Yogurt Sake," which is made by Niizawa Sake Brewery, a company in Miyagi Prefecture produced by Hidetoshi Nakata.
Japan's KitKat product line-up is popular around the world, so much so that they are often recognised as "KitKats made in Japan." Hidetoshi Nakata is known for pouring his strength into spreading the word of Japan's traditional industry around the world. He has also visited around 400 sake breweries across Japan. To date, he has collaborate with KitKat on around 20 chocolate bars, all made with local sake, and all of which have been top sellers. These products are helping to promote the prefectures of Toyama, Wakayama, and Kochi. Niizawa's Sake Brewery's "Chonoko Jersey Yogurt Sake" was released to help in the recovery efforts of the Tohoku Earthquake. "Yogurt Sake" has a short shelf life, and so it is a necessary requirement that it is shipped in refrigeration under 5℃ to preserve it. Because of this, the number of places it is sold at in Japan is limited, and it is also difficult to export overseas, making it a very rare type of sake. The milk comes from Jersey cattle which is used to make the milk. It's combined with alcohol powder of the yogurt sake for the KitKat Mini. The chocolate bar has a refreshing sourness and rich flavour. KitKat is sold in over 100 countries worldwide. This new flavour creates the opportunity for more people around the world to try yogurt sake when they are buying KitKats in Japan. Speaking about the collaboration, Hidetoshi Nakata said: "I began with nihonshu, then went onto umeshu, then yuzushu. For the fourth one, I wanted to get people knowing about new possibilities when it comes to a Japanese sake that is not yet known around the world. So I chose Chonoko Jersey Yogurt Sake which is made by Niizawa Sake Brewery in Miyagi Prefecture. The yogurt in the sake has a bitterness and sweetness, which balances perfectly with the refreshing taste of the nihonshu. It's a delicious sake that Japan can boast about, one which can be enjoyed whenever and by anyone. The sweetness of the chocolate comes together with the bitterness of the yogurt sake. We have created something that doesn't taste just like yogurt, but yogurt sake." He continues: "Because there is a possibility the Chonoko Jersey Yogurt Sake will ferment and the bottles break during transportation, it can only be distributed to places within Japan where it can be shipped below 5 degrees at this moment in time. It's this very reason that its delicious taste cannot be enjoyed around the world that I want people to know about Chonoko Jersey Yogurt Sake through KitKat, and also get people knowing about new possibilities of Japanese sake." Information
KitKat Mini Yogurt Sake
Release Date: March 16, 2020
Contains: 9 bars
Price: ¥700
Available: At souvenir shops and KitKat gift shops in Japan
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McDonald's Japan has teamed up with Nestlé Japan to release a KitKat® McFlurry®. It was released on Wednesday at all McDonald's branches in Japan.
It has been seven years since McFlurry® and KitKat® came together in their delicious chocolatey ice cream combination. It was such a hit back in 2007 that it has finally made its fabled return to the delight of sweet-tooth McDonald's customers. The KitKat® McFlurry® is a simple combination of smooth soft serve ice cream and crushed KitKat®. It's also drizzled in a special sauce made from rich couverture chocolate. The mix of the wafer-like chocolate KitKat® with the soft serve ice cream is a combination to die for, and the sauce only adds to the mouth-watering flavour. The dessert will be served in limited-edition cups as pictured above. These cups are limited in stock and will discontinue once all are sold. Information
McFlurry® KitKat®
Running: February 12, 2020 – Early March 2020 (subject to change)
Available: McDonald’s in Japan (Select branches not participating)
Serving: All Day
Price: ¥290 (Tax Included)
*KITKAT and キットカット are registered trademarks of Nestlé Group.
McDonald’s Japan Official Website: http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/