Advent Calendar 2024 - What's Inside

Your Journey Through The Tastes Of Japan Begins!

Join us each day leading up to Dec 25th as we share the unique story behind each day's special treat and the local farmer and producer who created it.

Day 11
Strawberry Milk Drink Mix

Highlights
  • Plump pieces of ripe strawberries with a touch of sugar
  • Refreshing and naturally sweet
  • Simply mix with milk
Strawberries (known as ichigo or いちご) were said to have been introduced to Japan in the Edo period (1603–1868) but have now become a popular local fruit with Japan having it's own unique varieties (some of the rare varieties can cost up to ¥50,000 (~$400 USD) per strawberry!).

Often enjoyed as post-onsen (hot springs) refreshment, fruit milk can be found in an array of flavors across Japan. This strawberry milk mix is made with plump pieces of ripe strawberries that have been freeze-dried to preserve peak flavor and freshness. Supplemented with a touch of sugar, the resulting beverage has a mellow sweetness and fruity flavor that combines with the richness of milk to create a luxurious yet refreshing drink.

 



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Day 10
Naturally Farmed Premium Houjicha (Roasted Green Tea)

Highlights
  • Naturally farmed roasted green tea
  • Mild, smooth taste with low bitterness, acidity and caffeine
  • Nutty, caramel-like flavor
  • Eye-catchinf reddish brown hue

Cherished for its nutty, caramel-like flavor, houjicha is a type of roasted Japanese green tea. Steamed green tea leaves are roasted in porcelain pots over charcoal at 200°C (~400°F). This special houjicha is made from naturally farmed green tea leaves grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. The tightly rolled tea leaves are combined with the shoots and stems and slowly roasted by the tea masters at Kenichi Nature Farm to create a naturally earthy, sweet tea with a distinct roasted aroma that is reminiscent of coffee.



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Day 9
Kawagoe Potato Yokan (Jelly Cake)

Highlights
  • Firm jelly treat
  • Naturally sweetened with Kawagoe sweet potatoes from Saitama
  • Unique twist on a traditional Japanese dessert

Yokan, a firm jelly dessert, is a popular type of wagashi (Japanese sweets) typically made from adzuki (red bean) paste, agar, and sugar. This unique yokan is instead made from imo (sweet potatoes), a specialty of Kawagoe City in Saitama. The sweet pototes are naturally-cultivated using a traditional fallen-leaf composting method, which has been around for over 300 years. The resulting sweet potatoes are plump with a noticeable natural sweetness.



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Day 8

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Day 7

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Day 6
Spinach and Cabbage Freeze-Dried Miso Soup

Highlights
  • Nutritious and delicious
  • Umami-rich soup filled with nutritious vegetables
  • Made instantly by combining with hot water

This nutritious and comforting instant miso soup is like a warm hug from Japan! The umami-rich base is an aromatic mix of additive-free miso made from Aso soybeans, Kyushu rice, and Kyushu barley. Brimming with vegetables like spinach, cabbage, and carrots, this soup is both nutritious and delicious. The unique freeze-drying method preserves the flavor, texture and nutrients of the vegetables, while making it easy and convenient to make.



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Day 5
Genmaicha (Brown Rice Green Tea) Candy

Highlights
  • Small batch candy produced in Kyoto
  • Sweet with a toasted, nutty flavors
  • Artificial coloring and additive free

Genmaicha is a combination of steamed, roasted, and puffed brown rice and green tea, which gives these candies a delightfully nutty, toasted flavor. Without any additives or artificial coloring, these perfect sweets allow the high quality genmaicha to really shine!



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Day 4

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Day 3

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Day 2
Yuzu Green Tea

Highlights
  • High quality green tea from Ōsumi, Kagoshima Prefecture
  • Tart, sweet citrus yuzu
  • Invigorating, refreshing and aromatic

Wakohen’s steamed green tea is made from the freshest tea leaves picked from their fields in Ōsumi, located in the eastern part of Kagoshima Prefecture. The leaves are carefully steamed to produce a tea with the highest quality color, richness and taste. This vegetal green tea is then combined with the refreshing flavor of Japan's beloved tart yet sweet yuzu citrus.



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Day 1
Kamakura Daibutsu Candy

Highlights
  • Sweet candy treat
  • Modeled after the Kamakura Daibutsu
  • Special local treat

These Kamakura Daibutsu candies are modeled after the Great Buddha of Kamakura. To make these special candies, a modeler from Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture was asked to create a miniature representation of the Kamakura Daibutsu to capture its likeness and to spread the Buddha’s wishes for strong relationships and good fortune.

 

At a height of 11.4 meters, the Kamakura Daibutsu is one of the tallest bronze Buddha sculptures in Japan. Cast over 800 years ago, the sculpture has survived multiple typhoons and tsunamis which destroyed the surrounding temple buildings. It now stands as one of Kamakura’s most popular and awe-inspiring sights.



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