Christmas is almost here, and at Q-pot CAFE. in Omotesando, the festivities have already begun as they begin serving a selection of special Christmas-exclusive menu items. These will be available until December 25.   Q-pot. is known for its accessory brand, which features jewellery made to look like sweets and desserts. It is also known for the Q-pot CAFE. which flips that concept, instead making sweets and desserts that look just like real accessories.   I visited Q-pot CAFE. to treat myself to their exciting Christmas afternoon tea. Q-pot. Omotesando is a 7-minute walk from Omotesando Station's A2 exit. You'll spot the entrance by its sparkly illuminations as pictured above. The cafe is split into seven concept rooms, such as Melt, Chocolate, BisQuit, SAKURA, and so onーso you can pick which sounds good to you and sit there. It also gives a reason to go back more than once!

The Story of Sweet Kingdom Afternoon Tea Set ¥2,400 (Tax Included/Drink Included)

The afternoon tea set: an indulgence any cafe-lover craves for at least once. And since Christmastime is coming, you want to enjoy a little treat too, right? Well, this two-tiered set comes with desserts, sweets, and some light food too. The top plate includes gingerbread man pops, cupcakes, vanilla panna cotta, and macarons.   The gingerbread man pops are filled with caramel ganache, while the red velvet cupcakes topped with pistachio cream and made to look like a Christmas tree. The panna cotta is also sprinkled with dragees to look like stardust.   The macarons are strawberry and melon flavoured. The melon one has a particularly rich flavour and contains red melon pieces. This macaron is so popular that there are people who go to Q-pot CAFE. just to sink their teeth into one of them. The bottom plate contains some hearty and crunchy  croissants filled with roast beef, mini tomatoes, and broccoli. It also comes with a side of rich cheese soup with onions and potatoes inside.  It's a great palate cleanser after the desserts.

Pistachio Cream Tea Latte ¥750 (Tax Included) *Also sold separately

The drink that's served with the afternoon tea set is a Christmas-only pistachio cream tea latte.  It's a latte made with one of the cafe's original flavoured tea brews called "Flower Garden." The tea ensures the drink isn't overly-sweet and leaves it with a mild flavour. It also comes with a holly-shaped cookie. This drink is also available to order separately from the drinks menu. The set comes with a special fairy tale-like Christmas lunch mat.

CHRISTMAS CAKE ~The Story of Sweet Kingdom~ ¥3,800 (Tax Included)

The cafe is also selling a cake that looks like something out of a children's picture book. It's topped with a coconut meringue snowman, gingerbread man, and strawberry Santa. This would make a great addition to a home party.

Saku Saku Meringue ¥600 (Tax Included)

Take away some crunchy snow-white meringues too, so addictive you won't be able to stop after just one!   The cafe is also selling a Christmas collection of their dessert-like accessories too.

Christmas Tree Cupcake: Necklace ¥10,000/Bag Charm ¥8,000 (Before Tax)

The Christmas tree cupcake features a chocolate cookie-like base topped with a realistic pistachio cream adorned with pearls.

Strawberry Santa Claus: Necklace ¥10,000/Bag Charm ¥8,000 (Before Tax)

Check out these adorable bright-red strawberry Santas too!     Q-pot CAFE. has lots of other Christmas food and accessories in addition to these too, so if you're in Tokyo anytime from now up to Christmas Day, then be sure to visit.   Writer: Ellie (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

As 2020 is the Year of the Rat in the Chinese zodiac, Rihga Royal Hotel Tokyo's gourmet shop Melissa is ensuring their customers thoroughly enjoy their New Year's celebration by releasing a roll cake dressed in Japan's traditional celebratory colours and decorated with 2020's zodiac theme of the Rat. The cake is appropriately named Akemashite omedetou gozaimouse, which is a play on words with the Japanese New Year's greeting "Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu". The roll cake will be sold from December 28 2019 to January 7, 2020 and only 10 will be sold per day.   Melissa has been selling Chinese zodiac-themed confections since 2010, basing designs on the animal of the zodiac celebrated in that year. The pâtissiers never fail to produce cute designs full of fun and personality. 2020 will see the release of a strawberry roll cake decorated with the Year of the Rat theme. Pink dough is wrapped around a strawberry and strawberry cream filling. The cake is topped with an adorable chocolate mouse, strawberries, raspberries, red currants, pâte de fruits, and many more delicious toppings. The red strawberries and white cream represent the traditional colours of celebration in Japan.   As the Year of the Rat is the first year of the Chinese zodiac's 12-year cycle, 2020 is a year to start afresh and look forward to a fruitful year. The pâtissiers are putting their heart and soul into each and every roll cake they produce, making this the perfect way to bring in the New Year.

You're going on holiday to another country, but there's someone special back at home that can't go with you. What's the best way to make them feel like they haven't been left out completely? Souvenirs, of course! Picking out the perfect souvenir for the right person or people, whether friends or family, is a lot of fun as you consider what each person might like and appreciate.   We've condensed that thrill of souvenir searching into an article series. We will showcase products that the MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON editorial team have actually tried and recommend as souvenirs.

Tokyo Ichigo Whipped Langue-de-chat (Includes 6) - ¥650 (Tax Included)

Today, we will take a look at Tokyo Strawberry Whipped Langue-de-chat. This whipped chocolate cat tongue biscuit is nothing short of delicious. It's a fact. And the cute packaging makes it even better, both the box and individual packs when you open it up. And since they are individually packaged, you can share them amongst multiple people. Whipped chocolate is sandwiched between the cat tongue biscuits.   Time to try one. The biscuit itself has a buttery, exquisite flavour. Though they're stuffed with whipped chocolate, the chocolate itself is light on the belly. You get those sweet and sour notes from the strawberry too.   The combination of the lightly baked and delicate biscuits with the soft texture and subtle taste of the whipped chocolate is to die for. Your taste buds are tantalised by a flurry of strawberry.   I showed the 6 pack of biscuits, but they also sell a 12 pack (¥1,080) and 18 pack (¥1,620) too, so cater it to how many you need to share out (or enjoy to yourself!) They have a best before date of 30 days too, so don't have to worry if there's still some time left before you return home.   If you love strawberries, you won't be able to rest the Tokyo Strawberry Whipped Langue-de-chat. Be sure to check them out if you're looking for a Japanese souvenir from Tokyo.   Writer: Sayuri Mizuno (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON Editorial Team)Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga