5 Treats That Prove That Japan in Autumn 2020 Is a Sweet Potato Wonderland
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CONTENTS
If you love the warm flavor of roast sweet potato, you’re going to want to try these new Japanese treats.
When autumn brings cool weather and bright red and orange leaves to Japan, that means it's time for businesses all out the country to start rolling out limited-time-only snacks in seasonal flavors. To some extent, those flavors are the same every year. While summer brings bright citrus and sweet ramune flavors, autumn means toasty-warm chestnut, pumpkin, and, of course, sweet potato. This year, though, the cafes and sweet shops of Japan seem to be going all-in on the one flavor in particular.
1. Starbucks Daigakuimo Frappuccino
Starting with the product likely to be purchased by the largest number of people, this new seasonal frappuccino from Starbucks is based on the flavor of "daigakuimo" (大学芋)―a Japanese dish of sweet potatoes fried in oil, glazed in a syrup of sugar, mirin, and soy sauce, and topped with sesame seeds. The drink features a good dose of sweet potato flavor, and is topped with black sesame seeds and a drizzle of syrup.
Available 9/23 – 10/31
2. Donuts Galore! From Krispy Kreme and Mister Donut
Donuts are the perfect canvas for weird cream flavors and silly decorations, so it's no surprise that more than one donut shop in Japan is getting in on the fall sweet potato fun. The Krispy Kreme Muchi Mochi Purple Sweet Potato Mont Blanc Donut has a name that's quite a mouthful, but a bite of the actual donut will feature an especially chewy dough, topped with mont-blanc-style strings of sweet potato frosting, and powdered-sugar-coated chunks of sweet potato.
Available 9/16 – 11/1
This year, Mister Donut is going for a less cutesy, more flavor-focused sweet potato donut, their "Satsumaimo-do," which literally means "sweet potato do(nut)." The donut itself is infused with multiple varieties of sweet potato flour, and toppings include purple sweet potato frosting, sweet potato fry-bits, and daigakuimo-style glaze. If you really love sweet potatoes, these donuts are for you. They suggest warming them before digging in for an even more delicious experience.
Available 9/4 – 11/?
3. Haagen-Dazs Mitsuimo Ice Cream
The term "mitsuimo" refers to Japanese sweet potatoes that have such high sugar content that, when baked and sliced open, they just about overflow with a natural sweet potato syrup. This Haagen-Dazs ice cream attempts to replecate that luscious roast sweet potato experience in chilled form by taking their sweet potato ice cream and swirling in a sauce and chunks of popular "beni-haruka" (紅はるか) sweet potato.
4. Sweet Potato Bubble Tea (From Everywhere)
Not just one, or two, but at least three different tapioca bubble tea chains around Japan are getting in on the fall trend this year. Chun Shui Tang is offering a refined Sweet Potato Milk Tea (left), made with "fragrant" sweet potato and topped with whipped cream and sweet potato chips. (Available 9/16~) Tapista's twist on the flavor comes in two versions (center): a Japanese-style smoothie topped with sweet potato karinto, and a creamy Western-style drink finished with a layer of sweet potato mont blanc (similar to the Krispy Kreme donut). (Available 9/9~) Coco is going even further with the concept, and instead of mixing in special syrups or toppings, they're changing up the tapioca pearls themselves (right)! For a limited time, their QQ line of drinks is replacing the black balls of tapioca with orange and pale purple versions, made with sweet potato and taro respectively. Not only do they have a fun new flavor, but the sweet potato pearls are sure to be an insta-bae hit on social media. (Available 9/18~)
5. Doutor Sweet Potato Mille Crepe Cake
Had enough of all the sweet potato syrups, creams, frostings, and crumbles? The sweet potato mille crepe at reasonably-priced Japanese coffee chain Doutor is topped with a satisfying pile of real sweet potato chunks. Of course, spread between the thin crepes that make up the body of the cake is a custard cream infused with sweet potato, as well.
Available 10/1~
Japan Is Basically Sweet Potato Heaven
From frosty ice cream and frappuccinos, to warm and toasty donuts, we've already covered sweet potato specialties for just about every sweet tooth, and we've barely even scratched the surface of Japan's seasonal offerings. If you're more of a pumpkin fan, well, there's always next year!
For more updates and info from Japan, be sure to follow Japankuru on twitter, instagram, and facebook!
Between collaboration items and special-edition limited-time-only goods, Japan has some pretty interesting products, and if you're anything like me... well, you can't help but be interested!
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Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).
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Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.
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Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.
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Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
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Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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