MINISTOP convenience stores across Japan released two new matcha soft service ice creams on November 2: the Uji Matcha Soft and the Premium Adzuki Matcha Soft.
MINISTOP has served a range of Premium Soft ice cream products made with top quality ingredients since 2015 including their Premium Belgium Chocolate Soft and Premium Chestnut Mont Blanc Soft. This year’s ingredient is matcha, the hugely popular tea flavour loved both in Japan and overseas.
Uji Matcha Soft / Uji Matcha Mix Soft: ¥270 Each (Tax Included)
Premium Azuki Matcha Soft / Premium Azuki Matcha Mix Soft: ¥300 Each (Tax Included)
The soft serves are made with full-bodied matcha carefully selected by the tea experts of Hokodo, a long-standing Uji tea shop. You can choose from the regular Uji Matcha Soft or go the full mile and get the Premium Azuki Matcha Soft which comes topped with adzuki red bean sauce and soybean mochi pieces.
The cones are also made in the image of a matcha teacup. Their colour comes from brown sugar syrup which uses brown sugar from Okinawa Prefecture, offering a sweet sugary addition to the bitter flavour of the matcha.
These ice creams are available for a limited time only so head to a MINISTOP convenience store while you can and try them yourself!
Information
Premium Azuki Matcha Soft
Uji Matcha Soft
Release Date: Released at branches sequentially from November 2, 2018 (Available at all branches from November 9, 2018)
Available Regions: Whole of Japan
*Flavours to alternate at each branch from November 2 to November 9.
*Available with a cone or cup.
Official Website: https://www.ministop.co.jp
RELATED ENTRIES
-
Starting October 10, the popular ice cream sandwich Biscuit Sandwich will begin a collaboration with the popular anime and manga series Spy x Family. The second season began on October 1. The collaboration will introduce limited-edition packaging in three styles featuring close-ups of the three main characters–Loid, Yor, and Anya. Two of the designs were newly drawn for this collaboration.
While the main characters are featured on the front, the back shows Franky, Becky, and Henry Henderson. Customers will also want to search for a hidden Anya somewhere on the packaging. Along with this special packaging, three different campaigns will be underway featuring an original QUO card, a USB featuring original voice recordings, and a cooler bag shaped like the penguin that appears in the series. For those snagging the USB, you’ll be able to hear Anya begging for ice cream and some other cute lines. This USB will be delivered in a case made to look like an ice cream sandwich, and fans won’t want to miss out on their chance to add it to their collection! Information
Biscuit Sandwich + Spy x Family Collaboration Packaging/Campaign
Available: October 10, 2022
Special Campaign Website: https://www.morinaga.co.jp/ice/bissan/spyfamily/
-
Taisho Pharmaceuticals has announced a new flavor of Vicks Medicated Drops available only in Japan! The Matcha flavor will be available starting October 1, 2022.
VICKS Medicated Drops are lozenges perfect to relieve sore throats, and in an attempt to make a product for everyone’s taste, 14 flavors have been developed so far–five fruit types, three refreshing types, and six sugarless types. Matcha has become a more popular flavor among both young and old people in recent years, and this Japan-only flavor is sure to be a hit. The active ingredient, CPC, disinfects and sterilizes the mouth, so the next time you feel a cold coming on, try one of these lozenges out. Information
VICKS Medicated Drops (Matcha)
Release Date: October 1, 2022
Brand Site: https://brand.taisho.co.jp/vicks/
-
FamilyMart stores nationwide have started a campaign in collaboration with the free-to-play mobile game Pokemon Cafe ReMix! From June 21 until July 18, visitors will be able to pick up some special treats and exclusive merchandise.
Pikachu Frappes
A new addition to the Frappe series, customers will be able to enjoy Pikachu’s Pineapple Frappe starting June 21, featuring Pikachu in a cute cafe uniform. Made with golden pineapple pulp, the drink is perfect for summer, offering a refreshing sweet and sour taste. There are three cup designs available–one with Pikachu in red, one in blue, and another in green. Original Merchandise Campaign
Part I: June 21, 10:00~ / Original PP Coaster (4 varieties)Part 2: July 5, 10:00~ / Cafe Menu Design Original Memo Pad (4 varieties) *Sample ImagesA goods campaign is also underway. Customers purchasing three qualifying products will receive exclusive merchandise–while supplies last, of course! The event will run from June 21 at 10:00 through July 18. Stamp Campaign
Left: 5 stamps, Original Lunch Bag / Right: 10 stamps, Original Plates (Set of 3)
Collecting stamps on the FamilyMart app can also net fans some special prizes! At the same time, Pokemon fans can use the app to win tickets to Pokemon GO Fest 2022 Sapporo. © 2022 Pokémon. © 1995-2022 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc. Developed by Genius Sonority Inc. ポケットモンスター・ポケモン・Pokémonは任天堂・クリーチャーズ・ゲームフリークの 登録商標です。Nintendo Switchのロゴ・Nintendo Switchは任天堂の商標です。 ©2022 Niantic, Inc. ©2022 Pokémon. ©1995-2022 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc. ポケモン・Pokémonは任天堂・クリーチャーズ・ゲームフリークの登録商標です。Information
Pokemon Cafe ReMix ~ Puzzle Campaign
https://www.family.co.jp/campaign/spot/2206_poke-maze_cp.html
-
Located in Uji, Kyoto, matcha shop Itohkyuemon was founded in the late Edo period. Three cozy locations have just launched a Hydrangea Parfait, perfect for spring.
Hydrangea Parfait
Hydrangea Coaster
The shop’s main location is headquartered in Uji, which is also home to Mimuroto Temple, known for its hydrangeas. The flowery location attracts thousands of tourists during the rainy season. The Hydrangea Parfait has been offered since 2013, now celebrating its 10th year. The popular seasonal treat features matcha hydrangea mashed sweet potatoes, hydrangea-colored jelly, leaf-shaped matcha cookies, and blueberries. Those ordering a parfait will also receive a hydrangea coaster as a gift, so why not enjoy the rainy season with something sweet to lift your spirits?Information
Itohkyuemon Hydrangea Parfait
Release Date: May 13, 2022
Participating Locations: Uji store, JR Uji Stationfront store, Shijo-dori store
Details: https://www.itohkyuemon.co.jp/site/ajisai/
-
Hibiya Hayashiya Shinbei in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya is now offering a scrumptious Strawberry Matcha Parfait until April 24, 2022! If that’s not up your alley, four Kyo Hayashiya locations in Shinjuku, Omiya, Yokohama, and Ikebukuro will begin offering a Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait from April 1 until May 8, 2022.
Strawberry Matcha Parfait
The Strawberry Matcha Parfait is an eye-catching mix of green and pink, reminiscent of cherry blossoms and bright green grass. Green tea blends with rose jelly and lychee sorbet, offering a refreshing taste with a hint of bitterness. The sweet accent of crunchy chocolate feuillantine gives each bite a little kick.Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait
The Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait mixes the deep, bitter taste of Uji matcha, the sweet and sour taste of berries, and the gentle sweetness of mascarpone cream. The berry sauce is blended with crunchy chocolate feuillantine, a layer of whipped cream, green tea jelly, green tea ice cream, and milk panna cotta. To finish, it’s garnished with refreshing raspberry sorbet, bittersweet matcha ice cream, and fresh strawberries.Information
Strawberry Matcha Parfait
Price: ¥1,650 (Tax Included) / with Tea: ¥2,090 (Tax Included)
Available: March 18 – April 24, 2022
Available at Hibiya Hayashiya Shinbei (Tokyo Midtown Hibiya 2F)
Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait
Price: ¥1,430 (Tax Included) / with Tea: ¥1,870 (Tax Included)
Available: April 1 – May 8, 2022
*Available until April 30 at the SOGO Yokohama location.
Available at the following 4 Kyo Hayashiya locations.
・Takashimaya Times Square (Shinjuku Takashimaya Times Square Main Building 2F)
・Seibu Ikebukuro (Seibu Ikebukuro Main Building 8F)
・SOGO Omiya (SOGO Omiya Main Building 9F)
・SOGO Yokohama (SOGO Yokohama 10F)
-
McDonald’s Japan locations with ‘McCafe by Barista’ areas will begin selling special spring treats for a limited time starting April 6, 2022. Customers will be able to grab the ‘Strawberry Uji Matcha Frappe’ and the ‘Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart.’ McCafe by Barista invites guests to enjoy high-quality frappes and smoothies. The Uji Matcha Frappe was added to the regular product lineup in June 2021, and features a mellow matcha flavor. The Strawberry variant is coming back for the first time in three years. The Mont Blanc Tart is a new addition, and is a perfect treat to enjoy with this popular frappe!
Strawberry Uji Matcha Frappe: ¥490
The Strawberry Matcha Frappe mixes together the full-bodied flavor 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. The drink is topped with more strawberry whipped cream and a sprinkling of matcha powder. The refreshing taste of the strawberry sauce coupled with the whipped cream serves to elevate the great flavor of the Uji Matcha even more.Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart: ¥390
The Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart is made with Uji Matcha batter, Uji Matcha whipped cream, white bean paste, and green tea cream. The refined sweetness is complemented by the mellow aroma and slight bitterness of Uji Matcha. How would you like to enjoy these treats beneath the cherry trees?Information
Strawberry Uji Matcha Frappe
Uji Matcha Mont Blanc Tart
Available: April 6 – Mid-May, 2022
Available at Participating McDonald’s Japan Locations with ‘McCafe by Barista’
Official Site: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/