The latest craze over on Japanese Instagram right now is Starbucks’s new Purin Almond Frappuccino®. I myself don’t use Instagram all that much, yet even I’ve noticed how vigorously people are posting about it.
When I saw how cute the drink looks and began making it into a news article for MMN, I wanted to try it myself.
Starbucks Japan are currently selling a range of retro-style beverages and desserts which have that old fashioned kind of appeal of them. As well as the new Purin Almond Frappuccino they are also selling a Coffee Jelly Cake and more. Check here for more details.
Without further ado, I headed to my closest Starbucks branch to try out the Purin Almond Frappuccino. There were four groups ahead of me in the line and there was someone in each group who ordered it! It’s safe to say then that it’s definitely popular.
The drink collection counter has its own retro Starbucks Coffee sign so I snapped a photo of it with my drink. My local branch serves drinks with lids, but I wanted to take a nice photo without one so I requested mine without one.
There are some branches without this sign so be sure to enquire in-branch if you’re looking for one.
I decided to take another photo because of the placement of the cherry. With that out the way, it’s time to taste!
So tasty! Contrary to my expectations, it isn’t sickly-sweet. Within the sweetness of the purin and the bitterness of the caramel are pieces of mango, apple and strawberry jelly. The whipped cream adds its own moderate sweetness too.
The retro-style Starbucks line is running until June 18. If you’re in Japan during that time head into your closest branch and try out the various items they have on the menu. They have a nostalgic yet modern feel to them.
Information
Retro Starbucks Coffee
Running: May 15, 2019 – June 18, 2019
Available: At most Starbucks branches across Japan. While supplies last.
Official Website: https://www.starbucks.co.jp/
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Kobe is filled with famous sightseeing spots like the nostalgic Ijinkan neighborhood and port. The city is packed with fashionable shops and restaurants and is highly regarded for its selection of tasty sweets!The port city, with over 150 years of history, has fostered a unique and diverse culinary culture. Recently, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu began starring in a series of promotional videos for the Gastropolis Kobe project. The artist traveled to the city to partake in plenty of delicious treats, and MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON went along for the ride! Here are some of the singer's favorite spots around town.
Kobe, known as a city where East meets West, is lined with sweets shops that are unique to the area. The tea salon TOOTH TOOTH Dekoboko Sabo opened in 2019 in the Kobe City Museum and offers a menu that mixes Western food and sweets with tea and ingredients from traditional Japanese cuisine. Kyary ordered the Dekoboko Sabo Afternoon Tea Set, a collection of western sweets blended with the essence of traditional Japanese flavors. Guests are invited to enjoy their tea and sweets in a one-of-a-kind space filled with Meiji period flare and retro Western furniture. Those interested will need to make a reservation, so be sure to remember the next time you’re in Kobe. TOOTH TOOTH Decoboco SaboAddress: 24 Kyomachi, Chuo Ward, Kobe (Inside the Kobe City Museum)Hours: 9:30-17:30 (Last Order at 16:30) Closed MondaysOfficial Site: https://toothtooth.com/restaurant/decoboco-sabo The next stop was Kobe Nankin-machi, one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan. Kobe MILK is known nationwide for its Apricot Pudding, which is made with local ingredients. The raw apricot pudding is mixed with milk brought from the foot of Mt. Rokko and other ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture. Of course, Kyary ordered some, and was amazed by its fluffy texture. You can only enjoy it in Kobe–also, the shop sells other puddings mixed with seasonal fruits, so don’t miss those either! Kobe MILKAddress: Shin-Motomachi Building 1F (1 Motomachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe)Hours: Weekdays 9:30-19:00 / Weekends 9:30-19:30Official Site: https://kobe-milk.com For Kyary’s final stop, the singer visited the Moore House, a cafe located in a building with over 100 years of history. Guests are surrounded by greenery, and the Western-style building is incredibly elegant. The Strawberry Mille-feuille Kyary ordered was created by an expert patissier and based on the strawberry mille-feuille recipe from the legendary French restaurant Maxim’s de Paris in Ginza. A generous amount of custard cream complements the crispy pie crust and enhances the sweetness of the fresh strawberries. We’d recommend it with a glass of champagne–if you’re of age. Kitano Ijin-kan Moore HouseAddress: 2-9-3 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, KobeHours: 11:00-17:00Closed TuesdaysOfficial Site: https://www.kitanomoore.com/cafe/ The streets of Kobe are packed with sweets that you can only enjoy if you visit. Why not come experience these incredible spots like Kyary did? Kobe Sweets Trailer: https://youtu.be/Sx9B1ZdAvlI -
ANNA’S by Landtmann, a cafe located inside +Q Beauty on the 6th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square, has begun selling two Halloween cakes! These spooky sweets will be available until October 31, 2022. Halloween Mont Blanc
Halloween Poison Apple Guests will be able to snag the Halloween Mont Blanc and Halloween Poison Apple cakes, available for ¥580 each including tax. The Mont Blanc is filled with pumpkin custard and Chantilly cream. The Poison Apple is a sweet and sour cake featuring a blend of chocolate mousse covered in red glaze and applesauce with apple pulp. Which of these two adorable cakes would you like to enjoy this autumn? Information
ANNA’S by Landtmann Halloween Cakes
Available: October 4 – October 31, 2022
Official Site: https://www.giraud.co.jp/annas/
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Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo will hold a special Christmas-themed Sylvanian Families buffet starting November 1, 2022. This is the second Sylvanian Families event following the previous Halloween-themed buffet, which became extremely popular. Some guests even bring their own Sylvanian Families dolls! Starting in November, visitors can enjoy a full lineup of 20 scrumptious dishes inspired by the cake shop found in Sylvania Village. Some sweets are also inspired by the many beloved characters found in the series, and anyone wanting to get into the Christmas spirit won’t want to miss this exclusive event. For those without a sweet tooth, some light lunches will also be available. The restaurant will also erect a decorative display of Sylvanian Families enjoying a Christmas party and a sweet diorama made exclusively of desserts by the pasty chef. Guests can enjoy tea time while getting lost in this magical world, so get excited about the Christmas season! 1. Sweets Inspired by the World of Sylvanian Families
2. Become Enthralled by a Wonderful Winter World of Sweets 3. Exclusive! Sweets Diorama and Sylvanian Families Photo Spot 4. Light Meals Perfect for Winter and Burgers Featuring Original Illustrations 5. A Special Plan to Enjoy the Buffet with Sylvanian Families Babies Information
Sweets Collection with Sylvanian Families
Running: November 1 – December 31, 2022
Venue: Keio Plaza Hotel’s Jurin Restaurant
Price: ¥5,500 (Adults) / ¥3,000 (Children 4-12) *Children under 3 free
Details/Reservations: https://www.keioplaza.co.jp/event/autumn-sweets/#event02
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From October 21 until November 30, 2022, Hilton Tokyo Odaiba will hold the Touken Ranbu ONLINE Special Buffet ~Black & White~ event! This second collaboration with the popular series will be held Grillogy Bar and Grill on the second floor. Dessert Menu
Drink Menu Drink Order Bonus: Original Coaster (8 varieties) At the buffet, guests can enjoy luxurious dishes inspired by characters from the sword-centered game and anime series. The desserts blend Japanese and Western cuisine, and special cocktails will be available during the first phase, each coming with a special coaster as a bonus! In addition, original goods will be on sale at the venue, so don't miss it! Information
Touken Ranbu ONLINE Special Buffet ~Black & White~
Running: October 21 – November 30, 2022
Reservation Start Dates and Times:
Lottery Opens: September 16, 12:00~
General Reservations Open: October 6, 12:00~
*Lottery reservations and general reservations will be open
for the first and second runs.*Please see the official website for the full reservation schedule.
Venue: Hilton Tokyo Odaiba 2F Restaurant, Grillogy Bar and Grill
*Reservations required
Tickets/Details: https://odaiba.site/
Online Shop: https://touken-yorozuya.com/
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From October 1 until October 31, Yokohama Royal Park Hotel will hold a special Halloween Fair at its delicatessen and lounge Coffret. In addition to six playful sweets from the Halloween Frankenstein to the Halloween Mummy, two types of autumn bread featuring pumpkin and purple sweet potato will be available, allowing guests to enjoy the taste of the season!
Halloween Frankenstein Halloween Cat
Halloween Mont Blanc
Halloween Mummy
Halloween Pudding
Halloween Pound Cake
Pumpkin Cream Fondue / Halloween Anpan
Come enjoy this Halloween with some cute and silly sweets!Information
Halloween Fair
Running: October 1 – October 31, 2022
Venue: Coffret Delicatessen and Lounge, 1F
Hours: Lounge 10:00-20:00 (*Cakes served starting at 11:00) /
Delicatessen 11:00-20:00
Reservations: 045-221-1111 (Representatives available 11:00-20:00) -
Tsujiri, a staple of Uji, Kyoto, has announced an exclusive autumn menu! Guests can enjoy the Tsujiri Soft Autumn Parfait, the Kyo Latte Smoothie with Purple Sweet Potato, and the Kyo Latte with Hojicha at the Kyoto location and three other stores starting September 1, 2022.
Tsujiri Limited Time Autumn Menu
These three limited-time items are filled with fall flavors. The Tsujiri Soft Autumn Parfait is filled with Uji green tea carefully selected by tea masters and topped with purple sweet potato paste, sweet potato nectar, and other gorgeous goodies. The Kyo Latte Smoothie with Purple Sweet Potato features an autumn-only flavor combining purple sweet potato bean paste, cream, and sweet potato nectar with Tsujiri's matcha green tea smoothie. The Hojicha version is made with luxurious Uji Hojicha and milk for a soothing experience. Enjoy autumn with these tasty treats filled with seasonal flavors!Information
Tsujiri Kyoto Store
Address: 215 Nakanocho, Kyoto
Tsujiri Kyoto Tower Sando
Address: Kyoto Tower Sando Building 1F (721-1 Higashishiokojicho,
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto)
Tsujiri arde! Shin-Osaka
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