January 2020 In Japan - 10 Things To Not Miss Out On

2020 is and will continue to be an exciting year for Japan. Everyone is looking forward to the Olympics, the cherry blossoms, and other seasonal events. But first, Japan celebrates the New Year and Valentine's Day. Here are ten things you shouldn't miss out on if you are in Japan in January.

1. Starbucks Valentine's Beverages And Goods

Picture courtesy of Starbucks Japan

Starbucks Japan gets ready for Valentine's Day with Chocolate with Almond Praline Frappuccino (tall 590 yen), Chocolate with Passion Fruit Frappuccino (tall 590 yen), White Chocolate with Cafe Latte (short 450 yen, tall 490 yen, grande 530 yen, venti 570 yen), a chocolate mousse topping option and cute Valentine's goods. All the sweet offers will be available until February 14, 2020. However, the goods tend to sell out fast so make sure to get them quick.

2. Lindt Japan's Roasted Green Tea Chocolate Drink

Picture courtesy of Lindt Japan

Lindt Japan's new permanent item in their beverage line is a Hojicha Chocolate Drink (699 yen). You can get it in hot and iced. Until February 15, 2020, there will even be a Hojicha macaron(309 yen) to go with it.

3. Cookie Time Vegan Superfood Latte

Picture courtesy of Cookie Time Japan

Cookie Time in Harajuku is a great place for delicious cookie dough, baked cookies and calorific freak shakes. For the month of January, they are offering a Vegan Superfood Latte (550 yen) and an almond milk option for their Cafe Latte so vegan costumers can enjoy them as well. It is a trial for now but it might become permanent if it is popular.

4. Pablo Ichigo Daifuku Cheese Tart

Picture courtesy of Pablo

The popular cheese tart maker Pablo combined creamy cheesecake with rich-tasting strawberry mochi to celebrate the new year. It is available as Pablo Ichigo Daifuku Mini Cheese Tart (350 yen) and full-sized Ichigo Daifuku Mini Cheese Tart (1,852 yen).

5. Mister Donut Creates Luxurious Doughnuts

Picture courtesy of Mister Donut

Mister Donut starts 2020 off with a special collaboration with French pastry chef and chocolatier Pierre Hermé. The collection is inspired by some of Pierre Hermé's most popular sweets. The limited-edition doughnuts retail between 160 yen and 230 yen and are available until mid-February.

6. KitKat Japan Yuzu x Matcha, Shingen Mochi And Strawberry Daifuku

Picture courtesy of KitKat Japan

KitKat Japan's new flavors for January 2020 are Ichigo Daifuku, Yuzu x Matcha. and Kikyoya Shingen Mochi. All three are strongly influenced by traditional Japanese flavors.

7. Coca Cola Strawberry

Picture courtesy of Coca Cola Japan

After the success of the Coca Cola Apple released in the fall of 2019, Coca Cola Strawberry was introduced as the new flavor of spring. It will be available for a limited time period starting January 20, 2020 and retails for 140 yen for a 500 ml bottle.

8.Japanese Chocolate Stout Beer For Valentine's Day

Picture courtesy of Sankt Gallen Brewery

The Sankt Gallen Brewery in Kanagawa Prefecture has been providing chocolate beer for Valentine's Day for many years. This year, they are offering the biggest line-up in their history with four different chocolate beers: imperial, orange, mint, and vanilla. The dark stout beer base goes extremely well with sweet flavors like chocolate. They range from 460 yen to 600 yen per bottle.

9. Ukiyo-e Exhibition and Demonstration

Woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e, were a popular art style in Japan during the 1700s and 1800s. The "Big Ukiyoe Exhibition" displays many famous pieces by the five most influential woodblock print artists––Utamaro, Sharaku, Hokusai, Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi––in Tokyo, Fukuoka and Aichi. The famous pieces are gathered from Japanese, European and American art museums as well as personal collections.

Picture courtesy of the Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum, located in Ueno Park, will also offer a rare demonstration where you can see the last steps of a woodblock print right before your eyes. The artwork recreated here will be the famous "Great Wave". The demonstration will be held on January 25 and March 29, 2020, at 11:00 and 14:00 in English and Japanese.

10. Tokyo Disneyland! Very Very Minnie Event

Picture from Minnie Mouse Fun At Tokyo Disneyland: Very Very Minnie! Event
Tokyo Disneyland is filled with red and white polka dots decorations during winter and spring 2020 for Very Very Minnie!, a limited-time event celebrating Minnie Mouse. It features shows, food and treats inspired by Minnie as well as limited-edition merchandise. The events will be held until March 19, 2020.

January 2020 - Chocolate, Entertainment, and Art

Enjoy the month of January with fun pre-Valentine's Day treats and winter events. We hope we could show you fun things to try and do for every taste. Have fun seeing some traditional art, visiting Minnie Mouse, and enjoy limited-edition sweets while visiting Japan.