Coca Cola is adding a brand new design to their famous and stylish regional series. Coca Cola's Slim Bottle Region Design series features illustrations of famous landmarks around Japan on a slim and stylish bottle.  Yamagata Prefecture will be making its grand debut on the slim and stylish bottle on September 2nd and will be sold only in Yamagata Prefecture.    The Slim Bottle Region Design series aims to add a refreshing kick to your travels. So far, a total of 31 different designs have been released. These new Coca Colas are the perfect way to splash excitement into whatever new food you discover on your travels in the region and will also provide you with the energy boost you need on a tough day of traveling. In previous years, this stylish Coca Cola bottle has even become a very popular souvenir.    So far, designs based on regions all over the country have been featured on these bottles. Locations used so far include Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Hokushinetsu, Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawawa. With Yamagata added to the collection, there will be a grand total of 32 different designs.      Different illustrations to represent the famous foods and culture of Yamagata prefecture cover the entire surface of the bottle. You will notice a person waving a hat decorated with safflowers on a summer night which represents the prefecture's famous Hanagasa Festival. The illustration of the stylish streets of the Ginzan Onsen will definitely trigger nostalgic memories of the Taisho Era for many. The prefecture's specialty ー small and sweet sakuranbo cherries ー also make an appearance on the bottle. 

Japan is a haven for bubble tea and tapioca-based beverages. Here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON we have covered many shops selling these tasty drinks in Harajuku―the town which started the tapioca boom in Japan―but today we will be heading to the ancient city of Kyoto.   We are joined by Kyoto café life tiara who posts photos of the best drinks and desserts they have tried around the Kansai region of Japan. They have provided us with photos of two must-try bubble teas and two must-try desserts in Kyoto.  

ROCCA & FRIENDS PAPIER KYOTO in Shijo

ROCCA & FRIENDS PAPIER KYOTO is just a 5-minute walk from Shijo Station. The cafe is made from a traditional townhouse along an old-fashioned Kyoto-esque street.   It takes a little while for your drink to arrive placing your order, but that's because each beverage is carefully handmade from fresh. I ordered the mango smoothie soda and the strawberry smooth soda. Both are fruity and super refreshing and full of chewy tapioca pearls.   ▼ROCCA & FRIENDS PAPIER KYOTO Address: 735-2 Shinkamanzacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00 Closed: Mondays Official Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/rocca.papier/  

&Hana in Shijo

&Hana is located at the back of Kyoto Daimaru. The cheese rose tapioca milk tea I bought is a cute pink colour. It's a mix of rose which is good for skin and relaxation, sweet brown sugar tapioca, and sour cheese. Draped at the back of the cafe are bunches of dried flowers which provide an Instagrammable background for your drinks.   ▼&hana Address: 619 Nishiuoyacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:00-22:00 / Weekends & Holidays 10:00-22:0 No Fixed Holidays Official Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/and_hana_/    

KISSHOKARYO KYOTO in Gion

This honey and tea parfait is special because they only serve 20 of them a day. Tapioca pearls go well not just in drinks but in desserts like this one too♡   The fluffy shaved ice is a perfect match with the homemade Earl Grey tea syrup. The rest of the parfait is made up of milk tea flavoured jelly, tapioca pearls, tea ganache, and other delightful surprises. I enjoyed mine with lots of syrup and roasted soybean flour!   ▼KISSHOKARYO KYOTO Gion Honten Address: 306 Ishibashicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00 (Last Orders 18:30) No Fixed Holidays Official Website: https://kisshokaryo.jp/  

MASHOLA in Kawaramachi

MASHOLA is a South Korean-style cafe which of course sells tapioca pearl drinks, but also this delicious capo egg brulee tart as well. As soon as you put the order in their fire up the tarts fresh along with hot tapioca pearls for a heavenly melt-in-the-mouth experience. They also sell bottled strawberry milk packed full of fresh strawberries, and for an extra ¥80 you can top if off with tapioca.   ▼MASHOLA Address: 406 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Opening Hours: 11:00-20:00 No Fixed Holidays Official Website:  https://mashola.business.site/   Did you enjoy this list? Kyoto café life tiara has lots of other tempting recommendations of drinks and desserts on their Instagram page too, so if you're looking for something to try while in the Kansai region of Japan be sure to give them a follow.   Text & Photos: ＠happy_pinkrose_tiaraTranslation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

Kyo Yakasa Pudding opened its doors to the world back in April, and since then they have whipped up many different kinds of Japanese custard pudding, known as purin. Earlier this month they released their all new "Yasaka Cider," a jelly-like drink which became a hit on Japanese Instagram (search with #京八坂プリン). The shop's most popular product since launching is the Kyo Yasaka Pudding―named just like the shop. It has a honey and lemon flavoured jelly which is full of agar and mango jelly balls, giving it a cute appearance and very refreshing flavour and completely new kind of texture. Now, the shop has released its new Yasaka Cider. The word "Cider" in Japanese doesn't actually refer to the alcoholic drink, but instead is usually a carbonated mixture of lemon and/or lime.   Available this summer only, the Yasaka Cider is the perfect accompaniment for cooling yourself down while strolling the streets of Kyoto, filled with Kyo Yasaka Pudding jelly, agar balls, mango jelly balls, and an in-house made lemon slice and honey mix. The beverage is made fresh to order and comes in a cute bag which you can carry around easily with you. There are lots of great photo opportunities for Instagram in the store too! If you're in or travelling to Kyoto this summer then be sure to stop.