Lindt Chocolat Cafe branches in Japan will release their new Lindt Matcha Hot Chocolate on November 1 for the winter season for a limited time. As fall begins to fade and the winter cold sets in, Lindt will have us covered with their new cozy and warm beverage. It's a combination of the cafe's rich hot chocolate drink and matcha. It's fragrant and has a deep flavour. It's also made in the image of a Christmas tree with fallen snow on top, setting in that romantic white Christmas vibe. There are two versions of the hot chocolate to choose from: bitter dark chocolate and a more sweeter milk chocolate. This is topped with a whipped cream made from matcha white chocolate, white meringue and chocolate shavings and drizzled with a bright red strawberry sauce.   At the Ginza branch of the cafe, your beverage is also topped with holly-shaped chocolate. The drink is like a dessert in itself with its combination of light and fluffy whipped cream, melt-in-the-mouth meringue and rich sauce.   All branches of the cafe will also begin selling Lindt Chrismtas chocolate from November 1.

The new Strawberry Matcha Frappe will be released on October 10 at McCafé by Barista outlets, the official McDonald's cafés attached to numerous McDonald's branches in Japan.   McDonald's Japan has recently been selling a series of different matcha drinks for autumn. Following on from their Brown Sugar Syrup & Soybean Flour Matcha Frappe, a Japanese-style tasting drink, the new Strawberry Matcha Frappe uses strawberries for a more Western flavour. The Strawberry Matcha Frappe is a brand new drink to McDonald's, mixing together the full-bodied flavour of matcha together with sweet and sour strawberries. It includes both a strawberry paste made from whole strawberries and a strawberry whipped cream at the bottom. Sitting on top of these is a matcha latte frappe which uses slightly bitter Uji matcha from Kyoto and delicious milk farmed in Japan. Crowning the drink is more strawberry whipped cream and sprinkling of matcha powder. The refreshing taste of the strawberry sauce coupled with the whipped cream serves to elevate the great flavour of the matcha even more.   The beverage will be available from October 10. Until then you can enjoy McDonald's Matcha Latte Frappe, Matcha Latte or Iced Matcha Latte.

The new takeout bakery Miffy Sakura Kitchen will open in Arashiyama, Kyoto on October 3, fusing traditional Japan with Dick Bruna's cute bunny character. The bakery faces the main street that runs from Togetsu-kyo Bridge through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, the most iconic tourist spots of Arashiyama.  

Vintage Mugs - ¥1,200 (Pre-Tax)

 

Lunch Bowls - ¥2,000 (Pre-Tax)

  At the bakery you can get your hands on a range of Miffy licensed merchandise as well as a string of exclusive Miffy Sakura Kitchen made in the style of traditional Kyoto pottery and more.   Of course, there's plenty of delicious goodies to get your fingers on too like anpan sweet bread, danish pastries, ice cream, drinks and more, all inspired by Miffy.

Miffy Anpan - ¥260 (Pre-Tax)

The Miffy anpan is shaped like Miffy's face which is filled with sweet adzuki bean paste.  

Miffy Fuku Daruma Bread - ¥350 (Pre-Tax)

This cute and round Miffy bread is made in the image of a daruma doll and is filled with rich matcha cream. Limited quantity available.  

Carrot Bread - ¥310 (Pre-Tax)

Miffy loves carrots, so this one's dedicated to her. It's made with carrot puree and contains an egg salad.  

Miffy Danish Pastry - ¥500 (Pre-Tax)

When you sink your teeth into this crunchy toasted pastry your mouth is filled with the sweet taste of butter. You can order it as French toast or enjoy it as a sandwich.  

Miffy Cube (Matcha & White Chocolate) - ¥230 (Pre-Tax)

This cubed shaped bread bears the shop's logo and Miffy on the front. You'll get addicted to the sweet white chocolate and bitter matcha inside!     The bakery itself will also be decorated with all things Miffy, so if you're a fan of the cute bunny yourself you'll definitely want to go and visit.