Recently, ‘houjicha,’ a type of roasted Japanese tea, has become popular among people of all ages in Japan. Right now, there are lots of different stores selling various houjicha beverages. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular, newly-released houjicha drinks!

Hachiya (Sendagaya)

“Houjicha Smoothie” (S￥500 / L￥600)

This houjicha smoothie is special for its aromatic fragrance. It uses white bean paste instead of sugar meaning you can enjoy an elegant sweetness together with a faint touch of anko.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/81322

Tsujiri (Ginza)

“Houjicha Chocolat” – ￥610 (pictured left)
The Ginza branch of Uji, Kyoto tea shop “Tsujiri” are currently serving a limited edition winter menu. This rich houjicha hot chocolate is mixed with flavoursome Vanhouten chocolate and Tsujiri’s own fragrant houjicha tea.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/79035

Nanaya (Aoyama)

Nanaya in Aoyama sells sweet and refreshing matcha gelato. As well as the regular matcha flavour, they also sell a houjicha flavour too, which has a subtle fragrance of tea embedded in the sweetness!

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/58538

Oyaizu Seicha (Fukuoka, Main Branch)
Oyaizu Seicha is a producer of green tea, with its main branch in Fukuoka. They are now selling 7 varieties of gelato with tea as the main focus. They also sell a unique “houjicha rum raisin” flavour.

Sanpi Ryoron Yorimichi (Shibuya)

Sanpi Ryoron (‘Pros & Cons’) is a sweets shop selling sweets, dashi and houjicha. They have beverages, soft cream, purin and more on their houjicha menu.

Heal your soul with the indulging fragrance of houjicha.

Sweets, foods and drinks using the motif of “strawberry” have been released since January, so in this article I will introduce to you some recommended strawberry items.

“Ichigo (strawberry) no Tarabagani (king crab) Burger” Tokyo Intercontinental Hotel

 “The Dining Room,” the restaurant & bar inside Strings Hotel Tokyo Inter Continental, is now selling “Ichigo no Tarabagani Burger” as their third burger of their “high class burger” series. The buns were originally developed to look and taste like strawberries in line with their “15th”anniversary. Strawberry powder and strawberries were used to make the buns along with the best quality flour produced in Canada. Let’s enjoy this seasonal burger using strawberries and king crab.

Detailed information：https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/89723

“Ichigo Sweets” Patisserie Kihachi

“Patisserie Kihachi” shops, excluding some, are now selling cherry-blossom desserts and strawberry desserts such as strawberry roll cake/tiramisu for a limited time offer. Ichigo no Blanc Roll uses sweet/sour strawberry and raspberry jam, one whole strawberry and thick fresh cream including mascarpone are all wrapped in a soft chiffon cake. The dough of the chiffon cake is made with special eggs where the egg yolk turns white when heated so as to highlight the strawberries’ vivid red color.

Detailed information：https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/90609

The “dorayaki” specialized store, “DOU”

Dorayaki is a Japanese dessert where red bean-jam is sandwiched between two “castella” sponge cakes. It is loved by many Japanese people as a snack/dessert. “DOU” is a dorayaki-specialized store that offers new types of dorayakis. The new flavored item “Nama Dorayaki Ichigo” uses the strawberry variety, Tochiotome produced in Tochigi Prefecture.

Detailed information：https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/90250

“Ichigo-daifuku” (strawberry-rice cake) specialized store, “Ichigo An”

The “ichigo-daifuku” (strawberry-rice cake) specialized store, “Ichigo An” was opened in Akihabara on the 1^st of March. Roots Co., Ltd. opened an “ichigo”(strawberry) “daifuku” (a soft round rice cake stuffed with sweet bean-jam) specialized shop which will sell this sweets item produced in collaboration with their affiliated farms throughout Japan and the strawberries they use are directly sent from various production areas. The harmony of the straberries’ sourness, bean-jam’s sweetness and the chewy rice cake, is excellent!

Detailed information：https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/93946

“Ichigo Daifuku making experience” Ibaraki Prefecture Yukueshi

Namegata Farmers Village is an experience-based agricultural theme park located in the city of Namegata in Ibaraki Prefecture. The site is currently holding a strawberry picking event where you can try picking Japan’s best strawberries. You can also have a go at making your own strawberry daifuku, a popular Japanese confection, until April 8^th. You have a choice of 2 anko pastes to fill your daifuku with: the classic red bean ‘tsubuan’ and the sweet potato ‘imoan’. Pick your favourite to make a daifuku that you love.

Detailed information：https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/95189

“Koji/Kiichigo” amazake specialty store / Furumachi Koji Seijojo

The amazake (sweet fermented-rice drink) specialty store “Furumachi Koji Seijojo (factory)” is now selling spring-limited amazake using koji (rice malt) “Koji/Kiichigo.” This product is made with rice produced in Niigata Prefecture, the amazake of the koji created in a storehouse in Niigata Prefecture and to this strawberries/raspberries are added. The product is sweet and sour at the same time and goes well with yogurt. It is recommended to mix it with yogurt using a mixing machine to make a yogurt drink.

Let’s enjoy the spring season with food items using the motif of “Strawberry!”

“Easter Day” is a festival that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year’s Easter Day will be held on the 1^st of April (Sun.). The custom of celebrating Easter is slowly becoming establishing in Japan.

In this article, I will introduce to you some colorful sweets items related to Easter Day.

“Lindt Gold Bunny” Lindt

The spring-like sweets item, “Lindt Gold Bunny” is a symbol of Easter Day produced by Lindt. This gold-colored bunny uses high quality milk chocolate and the history of this sweets item dates back to 1952. 6 sizes (1kg, 500g, 200g, 100g, 50g and 10g) are available and two flavors; “dark chocolate with a brown ribbon” and “white chocolate with a white ribbon” are available.

“HAPPY COLORFUL EASTER” Odakyu Hyakkaten Shinjuku Store

Odakyu Hyakkaten will hold the event titled, “HAPPY COLORFUL EASTER” from the 5^th of April (Wed.) to the 16^th (Sun.) in shopping areas inside their Shinjuku store. In addition to popular sweets items using the motif of rabbit, many food items which are suitable to be eaten at parties like meat loaf with “Torowaguro” boiled eggs and “Tonkatsu Maisen ” fillet cutlet using eggs will be sold.

“Easter Campaign” Café Kaila

“Café Kaila” is now holding the event titled, “Easter Campign” at both their Omotesando Store and Maihama Store (until the 16^th of April, 2017). They will sell limited-time-offer items using lots of eggs. One Easter-limited item will be discounted (50%) if you say, “Happy Easter” when making an order.

“The Capitol Easter 2018” at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu

The Capitol Hotel Tokyu will sell two kinds of original sweets items under the event name of “The Capitol Easter” at the pastry boutique, “ORIGAMI” from the 15^th of March 2018. The “Easter Egg Chocolate” series has 10 varieties of animal-patterns. Caramel-coated nuts can be found inside the egg-shaped white chocolate. “Easter Egg Cookie” uses powdered vanilla beans and fermented butter.

“Easter Egg Hunt Sundae” PEANUTS Café

This is a sundae using the motif of “SNOOPY offering Easter eggs to his friends.” Marshmallows and edible flowers are place on top of whipped cream. The ingredients of this sweets item are banana, kiwi, “Tochiotome strawberries” (strawberry variety) ice cream, strawberry whip and strawberry ice cream. A truly delicious sundae!

 “Easter Cup” Ginza Cozy Corner

Ginza Cozy Corner will sell four kinds of “Easter” sweet items designed by Masuda Sebastian. These items will be sold at Ginza Cozy Corner from the 4^th of March 2018 to the 1^st of April. “Easter Cup” is a cupcake which uses rich-flavored cream and custard-flavored sponge cake. Four varieties (strawberry, banana, melon, blueberry) are available. The cupcakes with a unique-looking Easter pattern is cute and delicious at the same time!

“Easter Egg” Joel Robuchon

“Le Boutique du Joel Robuchon” and “Le Pain de Joel Robuchon” will sell 2 kinds of Easter eggs (quantity limited – 70). The two Easter eggs are made of white chocolate colored red and green and it has a white spring flower as a decoration. Crunchy colorful chocolate with various textures are placed inside the sweet items and white chocolate is used as the foundation. The white flower is made with sugar.

Let’s have wonderful Easter Day with these cute sweet items!

Spring can already be seen on our calendars, but it's sure still chilly, isn't it?

Today, we're taking another look at cute spring-inspired sweets which can't wait for the Hanami season.

Patisserie Kihachi
Patisserie Kihachi will sell all kinds of cherry blossom sweets at select branches in Japan starting February 28th for a limited period. Look forward to tucking into some kawaii springtime delights such as their "Mont Blanct Sakura" that has a faint smell of cherry blossoms, and the cherry blossom leaf inspired "Verrine Sakura."

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/90609

Pie Face
Pie Face is a pie shop that originates from Australia. Stores in Japan are set to release two new items: the "Mochi Mochi Warabi Mochi" and "Funwari Sakura Latte." The former comes in the shop's signature pie face pie with a cherry blossom flavour, while the latte is topped with cherry blossom flakes, evoking the call of spring.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/88796

Starbucks Coffee
Starbucks chains in Japan are currently selling cherry blossom flavoured coffee and beverages as well their 'sakura season' tumblers and mugs that are popular every year. There are 3 drinks to look forward to sipping, all inspired by cherry blossoms: a latte, frappuchino and tea! The secret ingredient added to the drinks are sake lees, making them very elegant drinks indeed.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/90669

YOKU MOKU Aoyhama Honten BLUE BRICK LOUNGE
Yoku Moku's line-up features crème brûlée, a cake and a tea set that include cherry blossom and strawberry toppings to excite the mood of spring. These sweets are sure to tickle the fancy of girls.

Afternoon Tea
The theme of the new spring menu coming to Afternoon Tea is “Once Upon A Spring Day.” Available from March 6th, the menu includes a range of sweets, drinks and merchandise, such as a cherry blossom parfait filled with rice flour dumplings and syrup-covered anko, and a Hanami inspired tea set."

Gin no Budo
Located in Ginza, Tokyo, Gin no Budo has a long history. Their longtime spring seller "Ooki na Sakura no Hanabira no Pai" will be available this year too. They are crunchy pies shaped like big cherry blossom leaves. They smell buttery and are coated with shiny pink sugar and sprinkled with shredded cherry blossom leaves. Enjoy their crunchy, fried texture.

Did you like this list? Get a taste of spring early with these cherry blossom inspired foods and drinks!

Collaborative character cafés and menus in Japan are becoming more and more popular, where cafés team up with popular character franchises from various media including anime, games and brands to serve up themed menus. Let's take a look at some of the collaborations you can look forward to in February and March this year.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar×Marronnier Gate Ginza

The world of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, one of the most loved picture books in the world, has been brought to life in the form of a café. The café opened in Ginza on January 18th and will will be open for a limited time only. The colourful and vivid mind of illustrator and children’s book writer Eric Carle is brought to life through food. The items on the menu promise to excite the fun aspect of eating. Expect to tuck into everybody’s favourite French toast, omurice, hamburgers, pasta and more, all themed on the wonderful world of the world’s beloved caterpillar.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/84934

Monchhichi×Asakusabashi

The plus secret café underneath JR Asakusabashi Station held its grand opening in collaboration with Monchhichi, a line of stuffed toy monkeys from Japan, on January 20th. The café is filled with limited edition goodies and there’s even be a workshop space. Monchhichi is an internationally loved character that first appeared in 1974. JR Asakusabashi Station is a bustling location situated nearby Asakusa and Akihabara. Enjoy your time together with Moncchichi underneath the station in a cute and stylish space.

Jalan×Hands Cafe

Travel information website Jalan’s official cat mascot Nyalan has made his way to Hands Cafe branches around Japan. A total of 8 Hands Cafe branches, including Omotesando Harajuku and Umeda, are now serving up a Nyalan themed menu. Six tasty and original meals and beverages are available including omurice, hamburgers, paw-style parfait, café au lait with cute art and more. The cafes have been completely turned into Nyalan’s world with decorations and a photo spot.

Sailor Moon×My Melody Candy Parlour

Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon and My Melody are teaming up to open a collaborative café called Sailor Moon × My Melody Candy Parlour for a limited period in Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo and Nagoya. See everybody’s favourite magical girls and Sanrio’s popular character come to life in the form of food, sweets and drinks served only at this café.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/90049

Pompompurin Cafe Yokohama×Gudetama

The Yokohama branch of Pompompunrin Cafe, a café themed around the popular Sanrio character Pompompurin, will collaborate with the “lazy-egg” character Gudetama. The collaborative menu is available from February 6th. The worlds of these two popular characters can be enjoyed at this café with its cute interior.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/89912

Pop Team Epic×Sweets Paradise

Collaborative cafés paying homage to Okawa Bukubu’s four-panel manga series POP TEAM EPIC, which has become recognised worldwide, are now open in Sweets Paradise branches throughout Japan. The café will offer original menu items such as "Poptepi Manma," "A Ichimen no Kusomidori Pasta" and "Sekihotai de Tsuchikatta Sekihan," as well as an all-you-can-eat option. They are also serving amusing named drinks such as “Imi ga Wakarimasuka? [Do you understand?] Café Latte” and “Shogakusei Level no Drink [low-quality drink made by an elementary school student]."

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/89750

Sanrio Characters×Dining Park Ikebukuro

Sanrio Characters Lovely Café where popular Sanrio characters from back in the 80’s will gather, is now open at Dining Park Ikebukuro, located on the eight floor of Seibu Ikebukuro Honten, close to the east exit of Ikebukuro Station. From meals to desserts, step back in time with dishes celebrating the good-old characters from Sanrio.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/88086

アニメ「銀魂」×OMOTESANDO BOX CAFE & SPACE

Anime and manga series Gintama is set to gets it own themed cafe, "Gintama CAFÉ Host Club Takamagahara," later this month. Gintama is a science fiction series written by manga author Hideaki Sorachi. The interior design of the The interior design of the café is an original creation based on the host club that appears in the story,  “Takamagahara.”

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/87388

ドラゴンボール×ナチュラルキッチン

Renowned anime and manga series Dragon Ball, a franchise loved all over the world, has also gotten its own character themed café. Natural Kitchen are very particular in their selection of ingredients for their meals, only picking the best. The talented chefs there have conceived a unique and original fun-packed menu completely themed around Dragon Ball.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/86377

マイメロディ＆クロミ×お好み焼き

Japanese okonomiyaki restaurant chain Okonomiyaki Dohtonbori are holding a special campaign in collaboration with popular Sanrio characters My Melody and Kuromi. Titled My Melody & Kuromi wo Tsukurou, the campaign began on February 1st. The My Melody Okonomiyaki contains rice cake and cheese and is mixed with ketchup. It’s complete with a wafer ribbon and a decorated face made from soya beans. The Kuromi Okonomiyaki is cooked with pork and black coloured batter. Like the My Melody okonomiyaki, this one’s also decorated with a soya bean sheet for a face, as well as a wafer skull accessory. There’s a whole list of other delicious meals featured on this collaborative menu to tuck into too.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/87507

Did you enjoy this list? You can expect to find cafes around Japan collaborating with popular characters all the time. If you're there this month or March, then be sure to check out any of the above!

As the cold winter continues to freeze forward, we're all waiting in anticipation for spring's warmth to break through. Did you know, there are places in Japan where the cherry blossoms bloom as early as the end of January? Keep that in mind as we introduce you to some cherry blossom inspired food and drink hitting Japan very soon.

"Cherry Blossom Drink" - Lindt

Lindt is an established premium chocolate brand from Switzerland founded in 1845 loved all over the world. The company will release some limited edition, early-springtime items including the "Lindt White Chocolate Sakura Ice Drink" and the "Lindt Delice Sakura" on February 16th. Enjoy this refreshing cherry blossom drink and feel the vibe of spring early.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/88257

"Sakura Mini Bon" - Cinnabon

Cinnamon roll specialist store "Cinnabon" are selling a limited edition cherry blossom flavoured cinnamon roll, the "Sakura Mini Bon," from February 1st to March 31st. The roll is topped with a gracious amounts of cherry blossom flavoured cream cheese frosting and a crunchy decoration. Enjoy an exquisite balance of subtle cherry blossom and specially made cinnamon.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/88270

"Spring Coloured Veggie Pota Soba" - Cafe & Bar BW CAFE

SOBA (buckwheat noodles) CAFE & BARU BW CAFE which sells original soba dishes serve up their new menu “Haruiro Vege Pota Tsuke Soba” from February 1st. Their new menu “Haruiro Vege Pota Tsuke Soba” uses lots vegetables such as fresh potatoes and corn and one can eat soba with a warm dipping soup that tastes like potage. The dipping soup and ground vegetables go well with soba since it uses a Japanese-style broth. Also, the baked cheese used as a topping adds a mildness and special aroma to the dish. Enjoy this pink-coloured soba that brings to mind cherry blossoms.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/87477

"Matcha Milk Sakura Flavour" - Tsujiri

CAFE & BARU BW CAFETsujiri Online Shop will sell a seasonally limited product of an established store in Kyoto, Tsujiri’s “Tsujiri Matcha Milk – Sakura Flavor” with only a limited supply. “Tsujiri Matcha Milk -Sakura Flavor,” is a matcha milk which has the scent of cherry blossoms and the soft flavors of Ujimatcha and milk. It is a seasonally limited flavor which uses matcha from “Tsujiri,” an established store in Uji, Kyoto. The tea masters of Tsujiri selected the Uji Matcha that goes well with milk by blending two kinds of matcha to draw out the flavor of matcha. A cherry blossom leaf powder produced in Japan is added to the soft flavor of milk to give the product its cherry blossoms flavour.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/84872

"Spring Bouquet Salad Set" - BOTANIST café

"BOTANIST Tokyo," the flagship store in Omotesando, is serving a spring themed menu on the 2nd floor "BOTANIST café" from February 1st to March 31st. The "Spring Bouquet Salad Set" uses lots of fruit and vegetables reminiscent of springtime to look like a botanical bouquet. They're selling a range of other foods and sweets too which taste great and are fun to look at. Everything on the menu is available for this spring only!

Feel the warm breeze of spring early with these cherry blossom inspired foods and drinks.