Evolutionary Japanese Sweets That Combines the Essence of Ohagi and Western Confectionary
04.August.2021 | FOOD
Niigata prefecture is known for being a treasure trove of gastronomy, specializing in rice and sake products. Locals will be familiar with the long running Japanese sweet stores in the area, most of which incorporate the areas speciality rice and sake into their products.
“We want to let people know about Niigata’s amazing sweets and spread the word about our local produce.”
With this in mind, a new “evolutionary” style of Japanese confectionary (Wagashi) was created, combining the traditional taste of Japan with the essence of the modern era to invoke both newness and nostalgia.
Mandai Bean Paste is the signature treat from the new Evolutionary Wagashi selection, made with the ever-popular Ohagi in mind. The mochi is made in partnership with a long-established Niigata confectionary store with over 200 years of experience in the prefecture.
The mochi is made using Shinnosuke, a new Niigata-based rice brand known for it’s rich taste, while the Bandai-an bean paste filling is created by a long-standing local Anko store.
Each Ohagi is hand wrapped in store, with 12 delicious flavors available, including some seasonal fruits.
Unlike any normal Ohagi, this Evolutionary Wagashi is combined with seasonal fruits, nuts, and mascarpone cheese, adding an essence of Western flavoring to the traditional Japanese confectionary.
The new store will be opening in the center of Niigata city, with a concept of “Long-established modern.”
Just like their modern twist on timeless Japanese sweets, Bandai-an has created a fitting space that combines the dignified image of a traditional store with modern sensibilities.
These modern sweets can be enjoyed in all kinds of settings, so why not try them for yourself?
Information
Niigata Anko Bandai-an
Location: 2-2-9, Higashi Ōdoori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10:00~ 18:00
Official Site : http://bandaian.com
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Report: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s Tasty Time in Gastropolis Kobe – Sweets Edition
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 Sabo
Address: 24 Kyomachi, Chuo Ward, Kobe (Inside the Kobe City Museum)
Hours: 9:30-17:30 (Last Order at 16:30)
Closed Mondays
Official 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 MILK
Address: Shin-Motomachi Building 1F (1 Motomachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe)
Hours: Weekdays 9:30-19:00 / Weekends 9:30-19:30
Official 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 House
Address: 2-9-3 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
Hours: 11:00-17:00
Closed Tuesdays
Official 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
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ANNA’S by Landtmann in Shibuya Scramble Square Now Offering Halloween Sweets
11.October.2022 | FOOD
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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Second Sylvanian Families Sweets Buffet to Open with a Christmas Theme
11.October.2022 | FASHION
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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Hilton Tokyo Odaiba to Hold Second Touken Ranbu ONLINE Collaboration Sweets Buffet
20.September.2022 | ANIME&GAME / FOOD
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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Yokohama Royal Park Hotel to Hold Halloween Sweets Fair in October
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 FrankensteinHalloween 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 Reveals Colorful Autumn Parfait Using Purple Sweet Potatoes
08.September.2022 | FOOD
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
Address: arde! Shin-Osaka, JR Shin-Osaka Station 2F (5-16-1 Nishinakajima, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka)*The autumn menu is not available at the Uji location or the Naha Airport location.
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Q-pot CAFE to Offer Cute Halloween Sweets to Celebrate 10th Anniversary
05.September.2022 | FOOD
Q-pot CAFE in Omotesando will be offering up some Halloween treats to celebrate the location’s 10th anniversary! Guests will be able to sample these special sweets from September 3 until October 31, 2022.
Happy Halloween! Afternoon Tea Set
The festive Happy Halloween afternoon tea features pink Jack-o’-lantern macarons and other Halloween-inspired sweets.
Fluffy Floating Ghost Plate (Drink Included)
The adorable ghost is made from fluffy milk mousse covered with gyuhi, a typical ingredient in Japanese sweets made from rice flour. Inside is blackcurrant and redcurrant jelly with an incredibly sweet and sour flavor.
Black Devil Tea Mocha
Featuring large devil wings, this tasty and eye-catching beverage is a mix of black tea, chocolate, and milk. When the cocoa cream melts, the taste changes to something creamy and cozy, perfect for the autumn months.
Shimmering Blueberry & Grapefruit Soda
This refreshing sweet and sour drink combines blueberries and pink grapefruit along with soda and pearl powder.
Come enjoy Halloween while celebrating the cafe’s 10th anniversary!
Information
Q-pot CAFE 10th Halloween Menu
Location: Q-pot CAFE Omotesando
Running: September 3 – October 31, 2022
Hours: 11:00-19:00 (Last Order at 18:30)
Details/Reservations: http://www.Q-pot.jp/news/2022/08/1746.html
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Pastel Collaborates with My Melody and Kuromi for Autumn Puddings
22.August.2022 | FOOD
Pastel, a sweets brand known for its smooth pudding, has announced a collaboration with the Sanrio characters My Melody and Kuromi! Fans can snag some tasty treats from September 1 to October 31, 2022.
This year’s collaboration is based on a sweet circus. Fall is full of wonderful events like Halloween, and the company is ready to celebrate with these colorful desserts.
New items include limited edition puddings featuring illustrations of My Melody and Kuromi and sweet and sour treats made with strawberries that will crackle and pops in your mouth!
My Melody Mini Pudding: ¥430 (Tax Included)
Left 2 Puddings: September 1 – September 30 / Right 2 Puddings: October 1 – October 30, 2022
Kuromi Mini Pudding: ¥430 (Tax Included)
Left 2 Puddings: September 1 – September 30 / Right 2 Puddings: October 1 – October 30, 2022
Pastel’s original mini puddings are topped with whipped cream and finished with a My Melody illustration in cocoa powder. Enjoy the smooth texture and soft whipped cream!
My Melody’s Merry-go-Round Pudding: ¥600 (Tax Included)
Top: September 1 – September 30 / Bottom: October 1 – October 30, 2022This exclusive pudding was inspired by My Melody. Smooth pudding is topped with sponge cake and diced strawberries, sweet and sour strawberry cream, and colorful marshmallows.
Kuromi’s Circus Pudding: ¥600 (Tax Included)
Top: September 1 – September 30 / Bottom: October 1 – October 30, 2022
Smooth chocolate pudding is accented with raspberry sauce and finished with fluffy cream. This treat is perfect for fall, and the chocolate that crackles in your mouth is sure to amaze and delight!
Come enjoy some autumn sweets decorated with your favorite Sanrio characters!
© 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L632735
*AEON Mall Shin-Rifu South Building, AEON Mall Okazaki, and THE OUTLETS HIROSHIMA will only offer mini-puddings of each character.
*All images are sample images.Information
Pastel
Collaboration Running: September 1 – October 31, 2022
Official Site: https://pastel-pudding.com
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Creepy-Cute Halloween Sweets Available for a Limited Time at Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
Halloween is on the way, and the Hyatt Centric Kanazawa hotel is prepping some spooky sweets to celebrate! From October 1 until October 31, a Monster Halloween Cake Set will be available at the hotel’s restaurant FIVE – Grill and Lounge. Guests can also enjoy a Halloween lunch and dinner menu featuring a chic menu filled with black, red, and purple dishes. Visitors who come in costume will gain access to some special offers as well!
Halloween Lunch / Dinner Course
Poached Eggs with Black Chaudfroid Sauce
Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Beet Variation
The courses were inspired by an adult Halloween party and will be available for four days only. Each dish contains colors perfect for the season, like haunting black and bloody red punctuated with a purple-tinted memory of moonlight. While the dishes may look strange, they are made with the finest ingredients.
Monster Halloween Cake Set
Witch’s Mont Blanc Pudding
Mummy Macaron
Denture Parfait
Jack-o’-Lantern Cream Puff
Frankenstein Brownie
Gyuhi Ghost
Spider Web Mousse
GO FOR KOGEI 2022 Collaboration 5×5 Cake Set
A special cake set featuring everything from Frankenstein to spider webs will get you in the Halloween mood. The lineup includes Witch’s Mont Blanc Pudding topped with purple sweet potato cream, and the adorable Jack-o’-Lantern cream puff filled with–you guessed it–pumpkin cream. Come enjoy some other playful treats like the Mummy Macaron filled with apricot and the Denture Parfait with berries and marshmallows. On weekdays from October 3 until October 21, the cakes will be served on a special Kutani ware in collaboration with GO FOR KOGEI 2022. This 5×5 set will be limited to five servings per day. Kutani ware is a style of traditional Japanese porcelain found in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Halloween Cocktail
This year’s Halloween cocktail is the rock-themed Back in Black. With a tequila base, you’re sure to have some extra fun after downing this classy beverage.
Come enjoy some spooky and cute Halloween sweets while you can!
Information
Monster Halloween
Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
FIVE – Grill & Lounge
Address: Hyatt Centric Kanazawa 3F (1-5-2 Hirooka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa)
Official Site: http://fivegrillandlounge.jpLunch / Dinner Menu
Available: October 28 – October 31, 2022
Hours:
Lunch: 11:30-14:30 (Last Order at 14:00)
Dinner: 17:30-21:00 (Last Order at 20:30)
Details/Reservations: https://bit.ly/FIVEHalloweenMonster Halloween Cake Set
Available: October 1 – October 31, 2022
*On weekdays from October 3 to October 21, the 5×5 cake set, made in collaboration with GO FOR KOGEI 2022, will only be offered in a limited number of 5 per day. (Advance reservations required.)
Hours: 12:00-17:00 (Last Order at 16:30)
Details/Reservations: https://bit.ly/FIVEHalloweenHalloween Cocktail
Available: October 24 – October 31, 2022
Hours: 17:00-24:00 (Last Order at 23:30)*Menu subject to change depending on availability.
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Sanrio Characters Autumn Sweets Buffet to be Held at Hilton Nagoya
From August 18 until November 3, visitors to the Hilton in Nagoya will be able to enjoy a special autumn buffet featuring the popular Sanrio characters Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and Hello Kitty.
These three characters are some of Sanrio’s most loved. Kuromi is the self-proclaimed rival of My Melody, while the fluffy Cinnamoroll won first place in this year’s Sanrio Character Awards. Hello Kitty has been beloved by audiences worldwide for decades, and her iconic ribbon really shines in this buffet collaboration. Themed around an autumn harvest festival in a dark forest, the event includes 27 varieties of sweets and seven savory items. From sweet potatoes and pumpkins to chestnuts and apples, guests will be able to taste the fall season!
Kuromi’s Dark Forest Cake
Autumn Cinnamoroll Cake
Hello Kitty’s Ribbon Cake
Crazy Mushrooms / Praline and Gianduja Truffles / Tonka Bean & Chocolate Caneles
Kuromi’s Dark Forest Cake is a traditional German black forest cake featuring decorations inspired by the character’s black hood and a pink skull. The Autumn Cinnamoroll Cake is made with rice flour and is inspired by the adorable puppy’s fluffy appearance. Hello Kitty’s Ribbon Cake is topped with apple compote simmered with strawberries and red wine.
At the popular Live Station, guests can also enjoy an artistic performance by the chef himself. Visitors can also find and harvest their own Crazy Mushrooms and Truffles.
Kuromi’s Autumn Soup
Pumpkin Mont Blanc
Hello Kitty’s Apple
Pastry Chef Mamoru Watanabe’s specialty autumn sweets and Sanrio Characters-inspired goodies will invite you into a cute and dark forest world. Kuromi’s Autumn Soup is made with Japanese chestnuts and chicken consomme poured over panna cotta made with purple sweet potatoes. The Pumpkin Mont Blanc includes four layers of milk chocolate cream, chocolate crumble, pistachio cream, and pumpkin Mont Blanc cream.
Praline Paris-Brest
Hojicha Basque Cheesecake
Green Tea Tiramisu
Come enjoy the taste of autumn with your favorite Sanrio characters!
© ’22 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPR. NO. L632215
Information
Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and Hello Kitty’s Autumn Festival ~Dark Forest Harvest Festival~
Venue: Hilton Nagoya 1F, IN PLACE 3-3
Running: August 18 – November 3, 2022 (Thursday-Sunday & Holidays Only)
Details/Reservations: https://nagoya.hiltonjapan.co.jp/restaurants/hilton-sweets/autumn-buffet -
Fruit-Filled Afternoon Tea Inspired by Japanese Folktale Momotaro Announced
Kawagoe Prince Hotel, located in an Edo-period castle town in northwest Tokyo, will begin offering a special afternoon tea set starting July 1, 2022. Inspired by the Japanese folktale Momotaro, the summer fruit-filled tower of treats will be available until August 31, 2022.
Top Plate
Middle Plate
Bottom Plate
Savory
The top plate of the three-tiered set features tasty peach and cheese mousse, peach meringue, macadamia nut chocolate, and Kibi Dango put together to resemble the hero of the story, Momotaro. On the middle tier, visitors will find sweets inspired by the many animals found in the story, from the monkey and dog to the pheasants. Guests can enjoy many summer fruits including mango and kiwi.
Those who come to the store in a yukata (summer kimono) and follow the official Kawagoe Prince Hotel Instagram will receive a special fruit platter.
Come enjoy the world of Momotaro as you wander around this historical Japanese town!
Information
Japanese Folk Tale Afternoon Tea ~Momotaro~
Available: Weekdays from July 1 – August 31, 2022
Times: 2 90-minute seatings a day *Limited to 10 groups each day
Seating 1: 11:30-13:00Seating 2: 13:15-14:45
Venue: Etoile Buffet Restaurant (9F)
Reservations/Details: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kawagoe/plan/etoile/afternoontea_momotaro/ -
Pocky on the Rocks, Popular Since the 1970s, Reimagined for Modern Tastes
13.June.2022 | FOOD
Pocky is one of the most popular Japanese snacks around the world, and a new way to enjoy it is here. Since the 1970s, Pocky on the Rocks has been a popular way to enjoy the tasty treats during the summer. A modern version has just been unveiled, and six special boxes with exclusive designs will be released on June 14 along with a new campaign, recipe submission contest, and a collaboration with select cafes around Japan.
Pocky on the Rocks was first introduced in an ad campaign in 1976. People began putting Pocky sticks in a cool glass filled with ice or using the sticks as muddlers for alcoholic drinks. This stylish summer snack has been reimagined for 2022, and customers are inspired to pair the sticks with their favorite drink, stick them into ice cream, or add them to a cup of seasonal fruit!
Pocky on the Rocks in the 1970s
Pocky on the Rocks Today
Collaboration with 5 Cafes in Tokyo and Kansai
Cafe Roman – Takadanobaba, Tokyo
Cream Soda
Cafe Negura – Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
Dark Cherry SodaDORSIA – Sannomiya, Kobe
Heart Strawberry MilkSunshine Cafe – Higashi-Umeda, Osaka
Almond Mixed JuicePoem Cafe – Motomachi, Kobe
Lemon Squash
Pocky’s limited edition packaging, coming June 14, will feature a recipe for the 2022 Pocky on the Rocks. A recipe submission contest will also be held on Instagram, and anyone can participate. On the campaign website, fans can find collaboration recipes made in conjunction with five different cafes around Tokyo and the Kansai region. Of course, you can also grab these treats at each shop!
Fans can win retro goods in another ongoing campaign simply by snapping a picture of a Pocky receipt.
You’ve probably tried Pocky before, but have you ever tried Pocky on the Rocks?
Information
New ‘Pocky on the Rocks’ Campaign
Running: June 14 – July 7, 2022
Details: https://cp.pocky.jp /2022ontherock/
New ‘Pocky on the Rocks’ Campaign – Win Retro Goods!
Running: June 14 – August 29, 2022
Details: https://cp.pocky.jp /2022smr/
Official Site: https://www.pocky.jp/