December 2021: Hokkaido Winter Festival

The checkered pattern in Japanese culture is synonymous with prosperity as it continues without end. It was used in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics logo and often features in popular anime. This pattern sake cup is the perfect size for spirits, but also sweets and dipping sauces.

Made with a high grade of matcha, this unique blend features genmaicha, which is a combination of green tea and toast brown rice that has a rich nutty taste.

Enjoy the smooth and chewy texture of mochi rice and sweet red bean paired with the texture of roasted walnut. This traditional mochi has a hint of soy sauce flavor and is wrapped in a thin layer of edible rice paper.

This loaf, enriched with vitamins B1 and B2, was first created in Hokkaido in the 1920's. Enjoy it as is with milk tea or fry slices dipped in egg and milk for a decadent twist on French toast.

Karinto are a popular snack in Japan made by lightly frying a rice batter and coating it with delicious flavoring and seasoning. This sweet version is made with Hokkaido milk and has a lovely crisp texture.

This baumkuchen features the classic thin layer of sweet egg batter and is infused with fragrant banana flavor. Enjoy this delicate cake with coffee or tea for the perfect breakfast or afternoon treat.

This fluffy sweet bread has a smooth creamfilling made with milk from Hokkaido. Bakeries first became popular in Japan inthe 1920's, when many street stalls would sell freshly made goods to cityworkers.

Yamaoyaji is the name for a mystical bear that believes himself to be the king of the mountain paths and features as a design on this senbei. Made with rich Hokkaido milk and butter, this crispy senbei melts in your mouth for a luxurious snack experience.

These thin white butter cookies are made with cocoa butter and have a smooth Hokkaido milk filling. Enjoy the flavor of rich Hokkaido dairy and pair them with milk tea for an indulgent afternoon snack.

Winner of the Monde Selection Gold Award, these sandwich cookies are made with the classic Hokkaido flavor of Yubari melon. The refreshing fruit flavor is kneaded into smooth white chocolate and sandwiched between two layers of crisp butter cookies.

This pudding is made with sweet azuki beans, which were first introduced to Japan via China over 1000 years ago. They are a popular flavor in wagashi (traditional Japanese desserts) such as this pudding.

Kuzumochi is a Japanese dessert made with fermented wheat starch, rather than mochi rice flour. The delicate dessert has a gentle sweetness that pairs well with tea. During the winter solstice, there is a tradition of putting fresh yuzu fruits into hot springs and spending the afternoon in full relaxation.

Scallops are a specialty of Hokkaido and are a popular flavor for snacks, such as this scallop senbei. Infused with scallop flavor, this thick sweet and savory senbei has a wonderfully satisfying crunch.

Made with Hokkaido corn, these sweet and salty senbei are the perfect light snack to pair with a roasted tea. Corn soup is a winter favorite in Japan and can even be bought hot from vending machines.

These crunchy rice mochi snacks are flavored with umami Hokkaido kombu, a type of seaweed that features heavily in Japanese cuisine. Pair them with green tea for the perfect "ochake" - a snack with tea.

Made in collaboration with the famous Hokkaido curry house Yoshimi, these spicy rice snacks are flavored with their classic garam masala spice blend and shrimp. Hokkaido has a well-established curry scene that often incorporates fresh local seafood.