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Angela Erika Kubo
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Apr 8, 2014
Quality Spanish chocolate at a quality price
The French and the Belgians get all the attention when it comes to good chocolate, but you have to give credit to the Spanish for introducing the treat to Europe. Cacao Sampaka, which hails from Spain, is a reminder of that: The luxury brand uses only the highest-quality ingredients and no artificial...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Apr 1, 2014
"Puyopuyo Tetris" snacks fall into place in your gummy tummy
Who said that you're not allowed to play with your food? Lion recently released gummy treats based on the insanely addictive new crossover puzzle game "Puyopuyo Tetris" that you just can't help but toy around with. You can put together chewy "Tetris" blocks and cute "Puyopuyo" character-shaped gummies...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 1, 2014
Where to sip on sakura this hanami season
While sakura are definitely a beautiful sight, their subtle flavor can also be enjoyed in a cocktail. ANA Intercontinental Tokyo (1-12-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku; 03-3505-1111; www.anaintercontinental-tokyo.jp) in Akasaka is among the best places in the capital to find such a creation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Mar 25, 2014
Scoop up a Ben & Jerry's at Kanto supermarkets
No more waiting in long lines at the Ben & Jerry's shops in Tokyo this summer — six flavors of the ice cream can now be found in branches of upscale supermarkets such as Seijo Ishii and Nissin World Delicatessen, some branches of Tsutaya and so on. You can try the popular Cherry Garcia or satisfy...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Mar 18, 2014
Cronut copies hit Japan's convenience stores
No other dessert captivated Americans last year as much as the Cronut, a croissant-donut hybrid that New Yorkers reportedly line up at 4 a.m. to try. The Cronut has sparked imitations throughout the world. One of them includes the Cubic Doughnut, (¥120) available only in Circle K Sunkus convenience...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO BAR ADVENTURE
Mar 18, 2014
BrewDog: Scottish brewery's Tokyo pub has attitude on tap
Scottish craft brewery BrewDog made its first foray into Asia with the opening of its own bar in Roppongi, Tokyo, on March 1. At a preopening event the night before, the company invited guests to try some of its most popular craft beers on tap.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Mar 11, 2014
Answer the kitchen's call with a casual cookery course
While economic growth remains slow, many restaurants are feeling the pinch, as customers choose to stay home and cook in order to save money.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Mar 11, 2014
Pastry goods the color of White Day
If you're looking to impress a special girl in your life but want to keep things simple and easy on the wallet, Shiseido Parlour launched a line of white sweets this month that will be available until White Day (March 14). The custard pudding (¥451), roll cake (¥546) and éclair (¥367) are all made...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO BAR ADVENTURE
Mar 4, 2014
Sober is the new drunk at juice-cocktail bar
In an izakaya or pub in Tokyo, a glass of orange juice can look out of place among a sea of beer mugs. For a nonalcoholic drinker who chooses to avoid pints for whatever reason, going out in Japan can be hard. While beer or wine lovers have a wide variety to choose from, those who can't drink are stuck...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Mar 4, 2014
Happy Turn launches new vegetable flavors
For the veggie lovers out there, Happy Turn, a hugely popular fried-rice snack covered in a sweet buttery powder, now comes in two new flavors as Vege Happy: tomato and kabocha squash (¥128 each).
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Feb 25, 2014
Coco Ange's heavenly cakes
Patisserie Coco Ange, which opened in Tokyo's Roppongi district last November, showcases the creations of chef Masayuki Nakagawa, who trained in France. Each pastry and cake is a work of art in itself, and, as the shop name suggests, looks as it were crafted by the hands of an angel. Try the espoir...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO BAR ADVENTURE
Feb 18, 2014
Campion Ale: A pint of something fresh at new Tokyo brewpub
Between the kitchenware shops that make up Kappabashi-dori and the area around Sensoji Temple is a recently opened British-style pub that brings something new to Tokyo's drinking scene. Campion Ale not only stands out among the stalls that sell Japanese fare in Tokyo's popular sightseeing spot Asakusa,...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Feb 18, 2014
Bourbon's sakura-flavored Mochi Chocolat an early bloomer
It's cold and the trees are still bare, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the cherry blossoms before they bloom. Bourbon is one of the first confectioners to join the wave of cherry-blossom-flavored goodies with the release of these bite-sized bits of white chocolate wrapped in soft sakura-flavored...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Feb 11, 2014
Tourists offered a rare glimpse of the Japanese dining table
For visitors to Japan, a ride on the subway or the high-speed shinkansen can take you to almost any corner of the country. But those who want to learn about the daily lives of the Japanese rather than look at temples may find it difficult to gain access to the sanctuary of a Japanese home.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Feb 11, 2014
Unleash your inner Cookie Monster
For the cookie lovers out there, New Zealand-based Cookie Time opened its first cookie bar in Tokyo's Harajuku in December. At ¥240 apiece, each cookie is warm and chewy on the inside, and each bite guarantees plenty of half-melted chocolate chunks. The brand uses only organic ingredients and claims...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO BAR ADVENTURE
Feb 4, 2014
Share a premium cocktail with man's best friend
Bar Black Sheep is a gem hidden in the middle of Shibuya for those who want to drink premium cocktails without having to empty their wallet. Customers are first greeted by the owner's dog, an adorable Shiba Inu that goes by the name Hana-chan and enjoys a pat on the head while you sip on the bar's original...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Feb 4, 2014
Potato chips with a touch of class
Snack maker Koikeya has created a bag of potato chips that are worthy of being eaten with one pinkie in the air.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jan 28, 2014
The logistics of a luxury Valentine's
Advances in technology have made it possible for people as far away as Japan to enjoy the best of France's chocolate delights.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Jan 28, 2014
Playful choux creams by Nicolas Charles
Earlier this month, French chef Nicolas Charles took cream puffs to another level with the opening of his self-named store in Ginza, Tokyo. Charles fills his light, crispy choux cream pastries with various mousses and creams rather than the standard custard: Flavors include rose jelly and raspberries...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Jan 21, 2014
Have a break at the world's first KitKat store
Nestle has taken its brand to the next level with the opening of the world's first KitKat shop on Jan. 17. Opening day brought a long line of people hoping to get their hands on Sublime Bitter, Sakura Green Tea and Chili — special Kit Kat creations by renowned Japanese chocolatier Yasumasa Takagi....

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Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?