McDonalds bargains in Japan

From yesterday (2010 October 15) until next Thursday (2010 October 21), McDonalds in Japan are giving away free cups of coffee for one hour each day this week from 6:00PM – 7:00PM.

McDonalds Japan also has a number of “¥100 Menu” and “¥120 Menu” items that include such deals as a hamburger, small coffee and ice cream for ¥100 each and things like a cheeseburger for ¥120.
Well, starting last month, a new item has been added to the ¥100 Menu…a small size 「マックシェイク・バナナ」 (“Banana Milkshake”).

バナナ マックシェイク (Banana Milkshake)

I remember the Banana Milkshake was on the menu at McDonalds Japan about six years ago…and now, starting last month, it’s back on the menu.

Does McDolads in your country offer Banana Milkshakes? Have you tried one? What did you think of it?

Also, McDonalds Japan is currently offering four new chicken sandwiches…one at a time.
These sandwiches are collectively called “iCon’ Chicken”.
The current one is 「チーズフォンデュ」 (“Cheese Fondue”).

In late October, the “iCon’ Chicken” will be changed to “German Sausage”, then in early November it’ll be “Diavolo”, then in late October they’ll sell the “Carbonara”.

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edit: Please click here to read a comment I added to this post about McDonalds coupons.

スターバックス ヴィア

I like coffee a lot.
Every morning I drink a cup of coffee and every evening a can (or two) of beer.

But I don’t like Starbucks.

In my opinion, what Starbucks sells isn’t coffee but overpriced hot cocoa. It’s too sweet and too expensive.

But I understand that Starbucks is popular (although I don’t understand why that is), so maybe you’ll be interested to know that 「スターバックス」 (Starbucks) in Japan has just begun selling 「スターバックス　ヴィア」 (“Starbucks Via“) coffee.

“Starbucks Via” is their new brand of instant coffee.

Packages of "Starbucks Via" in the U.S. have "X" marks on them.

I guess Starbucks in America has already been offering this new instant coffee, but in Japan Starbucks began selling it today.

There are a couple differences between the “Starbucks Via” offered in the U.S. and how it’s sold here in Japan.

First, in Japan, the packages are smaller because Japanese usually consume food and drinks in smaller portions than the average American.

And secondly, the packages that the coffee are sold in are different in Japan too.
In America (and maybe other countries as well), they have large “X” marks to indicate the type of coffee, but in Japan that symbol isn’t usually used in that way.
Usually Japanese people would put an “O” (circle) there…but Starbucks Japan elected to use a check mark…still better than an “X”.

Packages of 「スターバックス　ヴィア」 ("Starbucks Via") coffee in Japan have check marks on them.

I guess I’m not the only one who thinks Starbucks coffee is too expensive. Maybe they’re losing business and decided to sell cheaper coffee to try to compete with places like McDonalds.

In Japan, “Starbucks Via” in sold in sets of either three packets for ¥300 (¥100 / packet (about US$1.08 / packet)) or twelve packets for ¥1,000 (¥83 / packet (about US$0.89 / packet)).

Do you like Starbucks coffee? Have you tried “Starbucks Via“? How much is it in your country?

Free coffee

It seems that McDonalds in the U.S. had a campaign from 2009 July – Aug 3rd where they gave away free coffee.

There were a few stipulations…
– The free coffee was only iced or hot McCafe Mocha.
– It was only free on Mondays during the campaign period and between the hours of 7:00-19:00 (7AM – 7PM).
– The free coffee was only available at participating McDonalds in the U.S. that had a McCafe.
– Free coffee was limited to one cup per person per week.

McDonalds U.S. free coffee campaign ad.

McDonalds in Japan has a similar campaign, but I think it’s better.
– First of all, the free coffee at Japanese McDonalds is “Premium Coffee“. Real coffee…not the overly sweet type that the U.S. McDonalds offered (To me, types of “coffee” such as Mocha taste like “hot chocolate”. That’s why I don’t like Starbucks).
– McDonalds Japan gives the free coffee everyday for an hour a day, rather than once a week for twelve hours.
– The free coffee is available at every McDonalds in Japan.
– There’s no limit to the number of cups a person can have during the campaign period. (In fact, McDonalds in Japan always gives free refills for their coffee.

The current campaign period that McDonalds Japan is giving away free cups of coffee is from today until Thursday, August 27 from 8:00AM – 9:00AM.

McDonalds Japan free coffee campaign for August 21-27 (8-9:00AM each day)

Next week, from Friday, August 28, McDonalds Japan will give the free coffee from 18:00-19:00 (6:00PM – 7:00PM).

Starbucks Sakura

I’m not much of a Starbucks Coffee drinker. Well, actually, that’s an understatement…I never patronize Starbucks.

I tried it once and I don’t see the appeal. It was like overpriced hot chocolate to me. Too sweet! And definitely too expensive!

Do you like Starbucks? The world’s busiest Starbucks is in 渋谷 (Shibuya, Tokyo). But, personally, I like 「ドトール・コーヒー」 (Doutor Coffee) or even McDonalds‘s coffee better. To me, that’s real coffee.

But I walked past a Starbucks yesterday and noticed that they’re having a 「SAKURA シリーズ」 (Sakura (Cherry Ｂlossom) Series).

Starbucks's 「SAKURA シリーズ 2009」

It’s Sakura flavored scones and desserts, and pink coffee cups and coffee pots.

It’s not for me. I’d never buy any of that stuff. But if you want more info about it, click here to visit Starbucks Japan‘s website (mostly in 日本語 (Japanese) only).