Kit-Kat helped Tohoku

In Japan, Kit-Kat offers many unique only-in-Japan flavors.

( I wrote a post about some of the Kit-Kat Japan flavors.)

But one of their recent products was for a special cause…the “Kit-Kat World Variety” went on sale in Japan last March and ¥20 from each package sold went toward the rebuilding of the Sanriku train line (in Tohoku, Japan) which was destroyed in the 2011 March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

“Kit-Kat World Variety”

What makes Kit-Kat “World Variety” unique is that the package contains thirteen Kit-Kat chocolates…three are from Japan, five are from Australia and the other five are from England…this is because chocolate is made slightly differently in every country around the world and therefore tastes differently.

In addition to donating to the reconstruction of the train line, Kit-Kat also asked people from around the world to visit their Facebook page and leave messages of hope to the people of Tohoku  who were affected by the disaster…and many of those messages were displayed on the body of the new trains for the Sanriku line.

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Another new only-in-Japan “junkfood” product will be by Pepsi Japan soon.

Last December, Pepsi Japan offered “Pepsi Pink“.  And, next month, they will begin selling “Pepsi Black“.

This drink will contain 50% less sugar and will have a “lemon flavor”.

New Pepsi Star Wars collectables

A little over three years ago Pepsi Japan, in collaboration with Be@rbrick, gave away Star Wars toys with purchase of Pepsi NEX.
I wrote a post about that campaign…click here to read it.

That campaign was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of the first Star Wars movie in Japan.

Well, in about two weeks the new Star Wars 3-D movie will be in theaters in Japan.
In honor of that, Pepsi Japan is once again giving away Star Wars character toys with the purchase of Pepsi NEX.
This time the toys are made by Panson Works.

Pink Pepsi

I have written posts a few times before about some of the unusual “only-in-Japan” flavors of Pepsi and Kit-Kats that are often sold here.

Well, the latest Pepsi flavor is 「ペプシ・ピンク」 (“Pepsi　Pink“).

It’s strawberry and milk flavored! I have no interest in trying this…but my daughters have tried it and they said they liked it.

Does Pepsi sell anything like this in your country? Would you buy it?

Caribbean Gold

Pepsi-Cola in Japan often releases temporary, original “only-in-Japan”. I have written posts about some of them, for example:

Pepsi-Dry,
Mont Blanc,
Baobab,
Pepsi Azuki,
Pepsi Shiso, and
Ice Cucumber.

Well, now Pepsi Japan‘s newest flavor is “Caribbean Gold“.

Pepsi Japan's "Caribbean Gold"

Have you tried any of the Pepsi flavors in Japan? Does Pepsi or Coca-Cola offer unique flavors in your country?

Mello Yello and Sprite are back

This doesn’t mean much to me personally because I’m not much of a soft-drink fan.
But in the early 1980s, Coca-Cola introduced their drinks “Mello-Yello” and “Sprite” to Japan.

I remember seeing both of these drinks when I first came to Japan in 1990 but a few years later they were both discontinued in Japan.

But now Coca-Cola has brought them both back to Japan. They are being sold in their original early ’80s retro packaging design.

I’ve never tried “Mello-Yello“. Just the name and tacky can design make me sure I wouldn’t like it…but I’ve drunk “Sprite” before—it’s not bad.

Do you like these drinks? Are they available in your country?

One coin cola at McD’s

Last Friday, McDonald’s in Japan began a campaign for the hot weather of summer.

From now until Thursday, 2011 August 18, all 炭酸ドリンク (carbonated soft drinks) will only cost ¥100 (about US$1.24) for any size (small, medium or large).

So, if you’re in Japan and you like Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Canada Dry, Fanta Grape Soda, or 「Qoo すっきり白ブドウ｣ (“Qoo White Grape Soda” with 20% juice) you can buy any of them at McDonalds for “one coin”.

Personally, I like the ¥120 (about US$1.49) free refill hot coffee at McDonald’s Japan. Actually though, I get the coffee even cheaper! I often pick up some McDonald’s discount coffee tickets for only ¥50 at one of the many “discount ticket shops” in Japan.

甘くないコーラ

I think cola has a different image in America than it does here in Japan.

In America, I think, it’s more common for people of all ages from children to adults to drink cola. But in Japan, generally speaking, sweet drinks and foods are usually consumed by children and young women.

People my age, especially men, in Japan normally drink coffee, tea and alcohol. I also don’t have much of a “sweet tooth”. I don’t eat chocolates or candies very often and I seldom drink cola or other sweet drinks.

I like coffee (“normal” coffee…not the overly sweet type found at places like Starbucks) and, of course, beer.

So, in an attempt to lure more people like me into drinking their product, Pepsi-Cola in Japan is offering a new type of cola called “Pepsi Dry“.

The label says 「甘くないコーラ」 ("not sweet cola").

Supposedly this new cola is half as sweet as normal cola and has a “dry, crisp taste”.

I think I’d like this more than normal cola…but I probably won’t bother to try it. As I said, I’m not much of a cola drinker.

How about you? Do you have a sweet tooth? Would you try “Pepsi-Dry”?

Mont Blanc in Japan

Do you know Mont Blanc?
It’s the French name of the highest mountain in the European Alps. “Mont Blanc” means “White Mountain”.

Mont Blanc

Did you know that there is a pastry dessert in France called “Mont Blanc“?
This dessert is extremely popular in Japan. It suits Japanese people’s tastes.
In Japan, the dessert is called 「モンブラン」 (“Mon-Blan“), which is probably the way it pronounced in French.

Have you ever tried a 「モンブラン」 (“Mon-Blan“) pastry? It’s a cake made from chestnuts with a whipped cream topping and usually has chestnuts on top. It’s pretty good.

「モンブラン」 ("Mon-Blan") dessert

Well, now Pepsi Japan has another new flavor…「モンブラン」 (“Mon-Blan“). It supposedly tastes similar to the dessert.

Pepsi Japan's newest flavor...「モンブラン」 ("Mont Blanc")

In Japan, Pepsi Cola often releases unusual cola flavors (occasionally Coca-Cola Japan does too).
Click here to read my post about other Pepsi flavors in Japan.

New drinks

Coca-Cola Japan is offering a couple new drinks now.

One is 「ファンタ　もぉ～もぉ～ ホワイト」 (“Fanta Moo Moo White“)…which is a white soft-drink “with calcium”.
It went on sale all over Japan beginning yesterday.

The other new drink that Coca-Cola Japan is selling now is a ginger tea for women called 「ラブボディ」 (“Love Body“).

Also, Starbucks Coffee, Japan has recently begun their annual spring time “Sakura” campaign.
I wrote about it last year…(click here to read that post).

During Starbucks Japan‘s “Sakura” campaign, they sell pink “Sakura coffee”, pink “Sakura desserts” and pink coffee mugs with Sakura flower designs.
They also have gift cards with the Sakura design.

As I’ve mentioned on my blog before, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth….so none of these drinks appeal me (I like beer!).
How about you? Would you try these?

Car recall isn’t an issue in Japan

In America and China many 「トヨタ」 (Toyota) cars are being recalled because there’s a possibility that an ill-fitting floor mat can cause the accelerator pedal to stick which could cause an accident.
And now 「ホンダ」 (Honda) cars overseas are being recalled too.

I heard that Toyota and Honda dealers in those countries are losing a lot of potential business because the public has become hesitant to trust the safety of those cars now.

「トヨタ」 (Toyota)

「ホンダ」 (Honda)

This issue isn’t an issue at all in Japan.

Most Japanese feel that the cars being recalled overseas are different because they were made in America or China.
Japanese cars in Japan are made here…and anything “Made in Japan” is seen as superior in quality and safety.
So, Toyota and Honda dealers here in Japan aren’t feeling the affects of the recall overseas at all.

In fact, Toyota is the best-selling car in Japan…and has been for many years.

Has your image of Japanese cars changed because of this recall?

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On a totally unrelated subject…
I found out that Gene Simmons (of the rock band KISS) did a TV commercial in America for the Dr. Pepper soft drink.
His son is also in the commercial.

As I don’t live in America, I don’t normally watch America TV…but thanks to the internet in general, and YouTube specifically, I was able to see it.

It’s here:

Do you live in America? Have you seen this commercial on TV before?

In Japan, KISS has done a few TV commercials too.
I wrote a post about them last year. Click here to see that post.