Sakura (cherry blossom) KitKat display
If you've ever visited Japan, you may have been surprised to see Nestle's KitKat candy displayed and sold everywhere. You may have been more startled if you looked closer at the flavors offered. Unlike the 3 or 4 standards offered here in the U.S., Japan offers many unique flavors, some of which are only available seasonly. While I had been familiar with some Japanese flavors like matcha (green tea) and gingerale, during my recent trip, a big display in Shinagawa caught my eye.
How about some Sweet Potato KitKats?
Mmmm...Soy Sauce flavor! (I notice that some of these are regional limited editions...see the Tokyo Limited label?)
Maybe Soy Sauce is for wimps. How about Intense Roast Soybean flavor?
These aren't for wimps. Wasabi flavor!!
One of the reasons for KitKats' immense popularity in Japan probably escapes many visitors. Kitto katsu (きっと勝つ), a Japanese phrase which translates as "definitely win", is very similar to the Japanese pronunciation of the brand name, which is *kitto katto*. This has made KitKats extremely popular during high school/university entrance exam season as a good luck charm for students taking the tests. Now you can even purchase them at post office counters, specially packaged to be mailed on the spot to your favorite student to wish them good luck! (Thanks to Molly, my personal cultural reference, for the explanation.)
Ok, enough candy talk. How about some eye candy?
Cotton candy
Aren't these pretty? You probably recognize them as some of Keiko Goke's new designs. (Wipes drool from mouth.) These three selections are today's Be*mused birthday giveaway. Yes, if you leave a comment explicitly requesting to be included in the drawing, you'll actually have three chances of winning! In Monday's post, I explained all of the birthday week giveaway rules, so please refer back to that if you haven't read them yet. Isn't this fun? (Except for the part about me getting little else done this week...heh.)
I think we need another photo of these gorgeous fabrics.
*Sigh*
Sigh is right! They are gorgeous, I would definetly love to win those! They are gorgeous, thanks for the chance. Sharonj
Posted by: sharon | February 03, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Oh, oh! Include me! These truly are eye candy. I loved the cultural KitKat lesson. So many flavors - who knew?
Posted by: Linda in NC | February 03, 2010 at 05:35 PM
oh my gosh, I don't think I could handle those kit kats!
just give me the plain choc ones we have and I would be happy!
Of course this is fun! I love reading about your trip and well its fun to see what your coming up with everyday.
I am going to pass being in on this pile today, they are wonderful but I bet someone else will love/use them more
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | February 03, 2010 at 05:37 PM
Please include me in the drawing. The KitKat story is fascinating - reminded me of the Project Runway where they went to the Hershey store and the contestant Kit made a top with KitKat papers.
Posted by: RuthSatterlee | February 03, 2010 at 05:39 PM
Fabric.....absolutely stunning!
Kit Kat.....absolutely yummy....well, maybe not the soy sauce ones... I'd like to try the sweet potato though!
Posted by: Carla | February 03, 2010 at 05:39 PM
Please include me in the drawing. I love the vibrant colors.
And I would try the wasabi kitkats but probably not the soy sauce ones.
Ummm, and maybe not the intense soy bean!
Posted by: kern | February 03, 2010 at 05:43 PM
wow, the fabrics are amazing!
Posted by: Karen | February 03, 2010 at 05:46 PM
okay now I have to tell my hubby to bring some kit kats LOL. He still doesn't have luggage...
but he will I think tomorrow...
include me in the draw for these awesome fabrics..incase he won't be able to bring me anything home.
Posted by: Vickie E | February 03, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Oh My Gosh. PLEASE include me in this drawing.... each day is getting better & better. I would also love some wasabi kit kat bars. what a hoot! you are so generous. what fun!
Thanks!
Posted by: Pam Cope | February 03, 2010 at 05:54 PM
Gimme, gimme, gimme, PLEASE!
Posted by: Kay | February 03, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Wow! candy for the soul and tastebuds in the same post. I'd be happy to win these. thanks for being so generous!
Posted by: Brenda | February 03, 2010 at 05:55 PM
I remember trying the matcha flavor when I was in Tokyo. It was...different :) Please enter me in the draw for the eye candy!
Posted by: Megan | February 03, 2010 at 06:06 PM
I have to say that your posts about your trip are so much fun to read. Who would have ever known the different flavors of Kit Kats? And those fabrics are just amazing!
Posted by: Debbie | February 03, 2010 at 06:06 PM
MMMM...wasabi kit kats. That's what I need to warm up here in Ohio.
I'm loving Keiko's new stuff too....you are so bad in such a good way tempting with more luscious fabric in happy colors...count me in...again and again!!
Posted by: Debbie | February 03, 2010 at 06:06 PM
i love day three's fabrics the most so far! they inspire me! i can't wait to see what's still coming...
Posted by: tcsd | February 03, 2010 at 06:08 PM
Yikes, I missed yesterday...I am here today! Thanks for all this and again Happy Blogoversary!
Barbara in Nova Scotia
Posted by: Barbara Robson | February 03, 2010 at 06:12 PM
Oh my goodness - those kit kat flavors - I don't quite know what to say lol!!! But then again I like to eat Vegemite so I'm already in the weird category!
The fabrics are beautiful - I have been in love with Keiko Goke's quilts ever since I heard of her 13 years ago at a quilt symposium in NZ. I was a go-fer for the event, and took her lunch. It was like meeting a rock star to me!! It's about time she had some of her own fabric come out!
Posted by: Joanna | February 03, 2010 at 06:13 PM
Ooooh, so sweet! Count me in the running for this batch. What a fun treat for all of us.
Posted by: Imperatrix | February 03, 2010 at 06:18 PM
Please include me in the contest! I'm in love with the bright colors. I feel so inspired by these fabrics!
Posted by: Erin | February 03, 2010 at 06:19 PM
I'd love to be included in the drawing! What great fabrics!
Posted by: Margaret | February 03, 2010 at 06:24 PM
Love the story that goes along with the candy! And what beautiful fabrics ... would love to work with those!
Posted by: Jessica | February 03, 2010 at 06:26 PM
Wasabi Kit Kat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Oh My Goodness!!
Those fabrics certainly are gorgeous. Keiko Goke is a very talented lady! Please count me in for today's giveaway!
Posted by: Miriam | February 03, 2010 at 06:33 PM
Count me in on today's giveaway, such pretty colors! And thanks for the Kit Kat tutorial.
Posted by: Nyla Dominguez | February 03, 2010 at 07:08 PM
Oh, I won't be shy! Enter me! Thank you for doing this fun drawing!
Posted by: Emily | February 03, 2010 at 07:17 PM
I enjoyed the Kit Kat lesson offered in today's post. Those fabrics are amazing...please include me in your drawing.
Thanks!
Posted by: Laurie in Iowa | February 03, 2010 at 07:21 PM
Please enter me in the draw for these gorgeous fabrics.
Posted by: Lauren | February 03, 2010 at 07:22 PM
what gorgeous fabric...I'd love to win :)
Posted by: Jennifer | February 03, 2010 at 07:31 PM
I so look forward to your Tokyo Festival posts. I am glad you got to go this year, and glad to enter this drawing!
Posted by: Carol | February 03, 2010 at 07:34 PM
Yum! Eye candy! The Kit Kats sound interesting. Please enter me for today's drawing. Thank you for brightening a rainy day!
Posted by: Patty | February 03, 2010 at 07:43 PM
I had no idea about the Kit Kat phenomenon in Japan. That's incredible! As are those gorgeous fabrics that I'm going to win! lol!
Posted by: Vicki W | February 03, 2010 at 07:55 PM
The Kit Kat info was great fun to read. I read it to my husband too.
These fabrics are great...would love to be included in this drawing. Thank you.
Posted by: Judy's Common Thread | February 03, 2010 at 08:28 PM
Ewwww -- sorry, I don't think I could handle those flavors LOL! Thank you for ending your post on a sweet note though. And I've abandoned my resolve to go on a giveaway diet...please, please enter me! ;-)
Posted by: Thimbleanna | February 03, 2010 at 08:35 PM
Such fab fabrics! Yes, please include me in the drawing for these gems. Will they come with a Kit Kat? Only kidding. Thanks for sharing so much from your trip to Tokyo.
Posted by: Ann L | February 03, 2010 at 08:44 PM
Umm, Love those too!
Posted by: Wendi | February 03, 2010 at 09:00 PM
I would LOVE to win those!!!! They are absolutely gorgous!!
Posted by: Becky Merry | February 03, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Please enter me in your giveaway for these gorgeous fabrics! Wow!
Posted by: Carol | February 03, 2010 at 09:21 PM
I would love to win the fabrics, they are so pretty. I have never heard of those KitKat flavours. I can't imagine eating some of them!!
Posted by: Janice | February 03, 2010 at 09:38 PM
Please let me try for some of that goodness.
Posted by: Melissa C | February 03, 2010 at 09:40 PM
I am a new Keiko fan. I had not heard of her until I read your blog and now I'm hooked too!!! Her fabric is simply incredible, so fresh and different to the usual, thank you for the chance to win some. Huge congratulations to you on five years, what a milestone! xo
Posted by: Cathy | February 03, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Oh please, oh please, oh please...I just gotta have them!! (How's THAT for being subtle!!) They are very nice...can we buy Japanese fabric in the USA?? They are really happy and bright...they would make a great stimulous package...they would stimulate me to do something awesome! (I usually don't beg, but these are HOT!!)
Did you try the KitKats flavored with soy sauce or wasabi?? Personally I can't imagine any flavor that goes better with chocolate than chocolate (OK...maybe peanut butter or mint).
In stitches,
Teresa :o)
Posted by: Teresa Rawson | February 03, 2010 at 10:11 PM
I can't even imagine wasabi Kit Kat. Please count me in on your draw.
Posted by: joyce | February 03, 2010 at 10:24 PM
Am drooling over the fabrics and the Kit Kats... but especially the fabrics! My brother lived in Japan and one of my great regrets is that I didn't have the chance to visit him- a fascinating country in every way... Congrats on the bloganniversary.
Posted by: fiberchick | February 03, 2010 at 10:26 PM
those are so colorful. would love a chance to win them.
Posted by: tara | February 03, 2010 at 10:29 PM
Kit Kat is my favorite candy. I would love to try the "exotic" favors. If they only had them in the US...sigh* Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks!
Posted by: Jeanine | February 03, 2010 at 10:32 PM
Just love those fabrics colours :-)
Please Please enter me in the drawing :-)
Have a great Day
Cheers
Lynne
Posted by: Lynne Sanders | February 03, 2010 at 10:41 PM
Hi there,
Gorgeous fabrics. I simply cannot imagine the taste of a wasabi KitKat.
Happy Anniversary!!
Posted by: Mary Elizabeth Kinch | February 03, 2010 at 10:41 PM
The fabrics are lovely and I'd love to win! The candy is most unusual.
Posted by: Carol | February 03, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Those fabrics are STUNNING, and would be enough to get me quilting again! I would love a chance to win.
As for the candy ... it beats the chocolate covered bugs my kids once received as a gift! The Kit Kats I would try.
Posted by: Ruth | February 03, 2010 at 11:34 PM
Keiko Goke's quilts are wonderful and her fabrics are just what you would expect from her - outstanding. Please include me in the draw as I would just love some of these.
Posted by: Anne K | February 03, 2010 at 11:45 PM
please include me in the chance to win the
lovely fabrics
Posted by: Christine | February 04, 2010 at 12:08 AM