The sweet and sour, long-selling candy "Koume" known all over Japan is now available as stationery, perfect as a souvenir!

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"Koume" is a sweet and sour plum-flavored candy that has been loved in Japan for 50 years. Stationery themed on "Koume-chan," the girl character depicted on the package, and overflowing with a Japanese worldview, has been released!

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Nihon Hallmark

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Table of Contents
What is Ume, a staple on the Japanese table?
"Koume" - a plum-flavored candy that breaks the mold
The world of "Koume" combines bittersweet first love and the bittersweet taste of plums
Key features of the Koume Collection
If you want to buy the Koume collection, this is the place to go!
A special event will be held at Koishikawa Korakuen in honor of Koume-chan's hometown of Koishikawa, Tokyo!

What is Ume, a staple on the Japanese table?

Have you ever tried Japanese pickled plums? Those who try them for the first time may be surprised by their very sour and salty taste.

For the Japanese, plums are an important ingredient deeply rooted in food culture and health, and have been used for medicinal and food purposes since ancient times. In particular, "umeboshi," which is plums pickled in salt, and "umeshu," which is plums pickled in distilled alcohol before they ripen, are common. Umeboshi are a standard filling for onigiri, rice wrapped in nori seaweed.

By the way, in Japan, plum blossoms bloom earlier than cherry blossoms every year (roughly between January and March). Plum blossoms have been a popular subject of waka and haiku poetry in Japan since ancient times, and there are many patterns with plum blossoms as their motif, so they are very familiar to Japanese people.

"Koume" - a plum-flavored candy that breaks the mold

Until Lotte Co., Ltd. developed "Koume" in 1974, the common sense was that "candy meant sweet." At the time, it was not easy to make a candy sour, but they continued to pursue the concept of "surprise at the sourness," and finally the plum-flavored candy, Koume, was born. Since then, it has long been popular in Japan as a sweet and sour candy among people of all ages. Not only is it delicious, but it also has a Japanese worldview that gives it a retro feel for Japanese people.

The world of "Koume" combines bittersweet first love and the bittersweet taste of plums

The girl on the packaging of Koume is named "Koume-chan." In fact, Koume-chan has a detailed setting and story, as well as a detailed profile including her hometown and hobbies.

▼Click here for the Lotte website "Koume News"

https://www.lotte.co.jp/products/brand/koume/

A stationery collection that expresses the charming world of Koume-chan has been created through a collaboration between Lotte and Nihon Hallmark. Not only Koume-chan, but also her bittersweet first love love Makoto-san and her cousins Koyuki, Konatsu, and Koaya appear in the collection. Their fashion, which evokes the feeling of old Japan, is also worth checking out.

Letter set / Frame stickers / Memo pad / Mini zipper bag / Postcards

Key features of the Koume Collection

The illustration of Koume-chan used on the stationery this time was partially drawn by Nihon Hallmark, and the keywords are "bittersweet first love" and "letter." The key points are that Koume-chan has a red thread entangled around her pinky finger and is holding a pen.

In addition, all four patterns have a set theme or motif.

[Red] Dressed Up Koume: The theme is Koume-chan, plum blossoms, hairpins, combs, and other stylish Japanese items.

[Green] Koume and Makoto: I combined pine trees with art of Koume-chan and bittersweet first love, Makoto.

[Yellow] Koume and her cousins: In addition to Koume, her cousins Koyuki, Konatsu, and Koaya also appear. A refreshing fruit pattern.

[Pink] All about Koume: A cute, girly design featuring Koume-chan and a plum tree in pink tones.

Click here for the Koume collection list

*Please note that the official Nihon Hallmark online store does not ship to overseas destinations.

If you want to buy the Koume collection, this is the place to go!

The Koume Collection can be purchased at the official Nihon Hallmark online store, as well as at Japanese stationery stores, bookstores that sell stationery, and general stores. There are many large stationery stores, especially in urban areas, where you can find many items. Why not visit and shop?

What's more, you can also get it at "special locations" within Tokyo that are named after Koume-chan!

*Please note that some products may be out of stock or unavailable.

A special event will be held at Koishikawa Korakuen in honor of Koume-chan's hometown of Koishikawa, Tokyo!

Koume-chan was born in Koishikawa, Tokyo. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Koume's birth, a special limited-time event will be held at the metropolitan garden, Koishikawa Korakuen. Koishikawa Korakuen is the oldest surviving feudal lord garden in Tokyo, and is one of the few cultural facilities in Japan to be designated both as a special historic site and a special place of scenic beauty. You can enjoy plum and cherry blossoms in the spring and beautiful autumn leaves in the fall.

Event name: "Enjoy the Autumn Leaves in the Deep Mountains" at a feudal lord's garden dyed red by about 400 Japanese maples, November 16th (Sat) to December 8th (Sun)

Date and time: November 16, 2024 (Sat) - December 8, 2024 (Sun) 10:00 - 16:00 each day

Location: Various locations within the park, Aoiya (shop), Kantokutei (restaurant)

Contents:

Stamp Rally (Complete a picture of Koume-chan with autumn Koishikawa Korakuen in the background)

Sales of Koume stationery and Japanese-style greeting cards

A Hallmark note card will be given to the first 2,000 customers who order the special menu at the restaurant.

Conceptual image of the completed stamp rally

others:

Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association, a public interest incorporated foundation

Lotte Co., Ltd., Nihon Hallmark Co., Ltd.

Click here for the press release of "Enjoying the Autumn Leaves in the Deep Mountains" 2024

Koishikawa Korakuen

112-0004 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

Koishikawa Korakuen is a Japanese garden located in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. The garden imitates the scenery of various places such as Lake Biwa and Arashiyama in Kyoto, and about 480 maple trees are vividly colored in autumn. A fall foliage festival is held in November, and you can enjoy tea ceremonies and traditional performing arts. It is close to the station, and there are amusement facilities such as Tokyo Dome City in the surrounding area.

Written by

Nihon Hallmark

Tokyo

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