Our human reporter and her pet try Hokkaido’s “human-grade pet food” together【Taste test】

The inter-species family that eats together stays together.

During our annual Lucky Bag Roundup, our Japanese reporter Udonko purchased one from a company called Hanabatake Farm, which specializes in dairy products. Inside was a delightful array of cream-filled buns and creamy gratin dishes.

But, while shopping for this bag, Udonko also noticed that Hanabatake Farm sells dog food. This isn’t just any old dog food either but dog food that meets the standards for human consumption, making it possible for dogs and their humans to eat together.

We’ve seen foods that bridge the human-dog gap before but they’re still few and far between, so Udonko decided to seize this rare opportunity to try some Homemade Goat’s Milk Cheese Cookies, labeled as “Human-grade Pet Food.”

Naturally, she was curious about the ingredients of such a product and checked the label. It was a list of things normally found in human foods; flour, milk, natural camembert and goat cheeses, and shortening.

Udonko poured some out onto a plate and they looked like ordinary bite-sized cookie squares. They seemed like they could even pass for a breakfast cereal.

When she picked one up and brought it to her nose, a faint sweetness entered her nostrils. That, combined with the sight of them on a dish, made it feel like she was eating ordinary cookies rather than dog treats.

Full of her own preconceptions about these snacks, Udonko winced as she popped one in her mouth. However, the only surprising thing about these cookies was just how bland they were. She would even go as far as saying they were tasteless and wondered why dogs go for this kind of stuff.

It was only after the first cookie went down the hatch that she began to detect a faint aftertaste of wheat and cheese. She was surprised because she thought goat’s milk had a more pungent taste but ended up bracing herself for nothing. That being said, it went down easy and felt nice as a light snack in that regard.

Udonko wasn’t blown away by it, but the product is intended for dogs so she decided to find her own to act as the ultimate arbiter of taste here. Normally Udonko’s dog stays sound asleep when she approaches him, but he seemed to have smelled her snacks coming and sprung right up.

He clearly loved them and devoured her handful so vigorously that some of them fell off her hand due to the impact of the pooch’s snout.

Sharing food with her dog like this was an eye-opening experience for Udonko. It showed that while it is sometimes tempting to give dogs people food because of its perceived higher quality, canines have more sensitive senses of smell and taste than humans. Much of the food we eat that’s generally considered safe for dogs, like certain meat, is often heavily seasoned to a degree far more than what a dog ought to be subjected to, so caution should be paid when sharing our food with them.

So, even though Hanabatake Farm’s human-grade pet food probably won’t get many human fans, it’s nice that it’s both safe enough for humans and subtly flavored enough for dogs.

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Studio Ghibli bakery has a Totoro cream puff delivery service…but it’s super hard to get

Now you don’t have to visit Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory to get a taste of Totoro.

Studio Ghibli fans were treated to some very happy news last August, when Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory announced it would be opening an online store, allowing people in Japan to finally purchase its famous Totoro cream puffs without having to travel to its two stores in Tokyo.

Our Nara-based reporter K. Masami was one of the many fans who was thrilled by this new development, but she soon became one of the many to be disappointed, as the online store was so popular it became impossible for her to make a purchase. With stocks being sold months in advance of delivery, and selling out within minutes of being released, Masami kept trying to no avail until the end of last year, when she was finally able to place an order for a set…that would arrive in February this year.

After months of waiting, it was a happy day when Masami’s frozen cream puffs arrived on her doorstep in Nara, in a box that was so cute she’s now using it to store things in her study.

▼ Reflecting the contents of the box, the packaging design features a frozen Totoro.

Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory is run by a relative of Studio Ghibli director and co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, which is why you’ll find illustrations by the master director and Ghibli-related paraphernalia inside its stores. Miyazaki even drew the porcine baker used by the factory as its logo, as a sign of affection for his younger brother, who ran the company with his wife for many years.

▼ Shirohige means “grey beard”, which is fitting as both Miyazaki brothers have been known to sport grey beards.

Inside the “おとどけトトロ” (“Otodoke Totoro” [“Delivery Totoro”]) box is a handy “おいしい食べ方” (“Oishii Tabekata” [“Delicious Way To Eat”]) instructional pamphlet (pictured above and below), which recommends thawing your Totoro for 10 to 20 minutes. The more it melts, the sweeter and softer it becomes, so you can choose your timing accordingly.

It’s an impatient wait for them to thaw, though, as the box contains four flavors: vanilla cream, chocolate cream, matcha cream, and strawberry cream, and each one is absolutely gorgeous.

▼ The Totoros come with an expiry date of about 60 days, but with looks this cute, they’ll be gone in no time.

If we’re being Totoro-technical, then these cream puffs are most closely modelled on what’s known as the Medium Totoro. In Japan, the white Totoros seen in My Neighbour Totoro are known as “小トトロ” (“Shou Totoro” or “Small Totoro”), while the blue are called “中トトロ” (“Chuu Totoro” or “Medium Totoro”) and the star character with grey fur is called “大トトロ” (“Oo Totoro” or “Big Totoro”).

▼ The Medium Totoro has a cute nose like the Big Totoro, but more rounded ears that closely resemble this type.

Still, a Totoro is a Totoro, and Masami is happy to eat any of them, although she couldn’t resist starting with the matcha cream. She also couldn’t wait long enough to bite into it, which is why it was still partially frozen inside, but she says this was exactly how she wanted it, as it tasted like a Totoro ice cream.

The pastry casing was a bit on the thin side, but Masami didn’t mind that at all. The combination of pastry and matcha cream was incredibly delicious, and she could taste the love and attention to detail that went into it.

After 30 minutes of thawing, she tried the Vanilla Cream, which had a more familiar cream puff texture by that stage. The cream melted on the tongue, allowing her to enjoy a Totoro mouthfeel that was softer but just as delicious as the first.

Tasting the cream puffs at various thawing stages adds an element of fun and wonder that you don’t get when purchasing them at the store, where they’re sold at room temperature. In that sense, the Otodoke Totoro are unlike anything else in the sweets world, captivating not only lovers of sweets, but lovers of Studio Ghibli and My Neighbour Totoro.

▼ Each Totoro is piped full with cream

▼ And it’s true that each one gets softer and gooier the longer you leave it.

▼ Each Totoro appears to have its own unique expression, adding to the cuteness.

At 3,500 yen (US$23.66) per box, plus postage, this is a fantastic way to get a taste of Studio Ghibli, no matter where you are in Japan. The only hurdle is getting your hands on them before they sell out so be sure to check out the online store for notifications and updates!

Related: Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory, Otodoke Totoro Reservation Site
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Case Closed: Detective Conan passenger trains in Tottori are about to get a fresh new look

There’s only one truth here and it’s that fans will be excited to ride in these stylishly updated train cars!

Newly designed Detective Conan (also known as Case Closed) train cars are rolling out on March 17! Fans of the manga/anime series who catch a train on the stretch of rail between Tottori Station and Yonago Station on the JR West San’in Main Line can experience the thrill of the ride–thankfully without the murder mystery element that the franchise is known for.

The town of Hokuei in Tottori Prefecture is the birthplace of Gosho Aoyama, the creator of Detective Conan. Tottori has long embraced its connection to the long-running, beloved series, even hosting American late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien once in 2018 due to the name connection. Detective Conan-themed trains first began operations in 2012, with yellow train cars from 2012-2019, pink train cars from 2015-2021, blue-red train cars from 2019-2025, and detective-themed train cars from 2021 through to the present. While the latter will continue operations as usual, it’s the blue-red train cars that were officially retired on March 4 and are about to be replaced with new designs.

▼ All Detective Conan-themed trains ever in operation in Tottori

Those newly designed train cars, set to begin regular operations on March 17, are no unsolved mystery and have already been revealed. This time, the theme is a white-black color scheme and each train car features a different cast of popular characters. The white car, on the side of Yonago Station, features Conan Edogawa/Shin’ichi Kudo and some of his main friends and allies, including Shuichi Akai and Ai Haibara. Meanwhile, the black car, on the side of Tottori Station, features members of the criminal Black Organization, including Gin, Vodka, and Vermouth.

▼ Frontal view of the train cars

In addition, the new designs aren’t just located on the outside of the train, as the entrances to the toilets also come with a special interior illustration. A fun touch is that the pictograms on the bathroom door are of Conan and Ran Mori.

A special commemoration ceremony for the new train cars is planned for March 16 from 2:40-3:05 p.m. at Yura Station (nicknamed “Conan Station”) on Platform 3, when it will depart for nearby Kurayoshi Station for its first ride. The governor of Tottori Prefecture, JR West representatives, and the mayor of Hokuei will all be in attendance.

It’s an exciting start of 2025 for Detective Conan fans, as it was recently announced that the series will be collaborating with the Harry Potter franchise as well. Let’s hope that there will be plenty more good surprises for the fans in the year to come!

Source, images: PR Times
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Starbucks Japan unveils new limited-edition drinkware and goods for spring

Stanley cups and colour-changing tumblers are just some of the highlights in this mega collection.

Whenever a new season arrives in Japan, Starbucks is one of the first to herald its arrival with a range of limited-edition goods. Now, as we transition from winter to spring, the chain is releasing a new range filled with joyous springtime hues, covering all sorts of drinkware, from mugs to Stanley cups…and some special reusable tumblers that change colour before your very eyes.

There’s a wide variety of goods to suit all different tastes, so let’s get to it and take a closer look at the collection below!

▼ Stainless Steel Bottle Misty Blue — 591 millilitres (20 ounces); 5,450 yen (US$37.10)

▼ Stainless Steel Bottle Misty Blue — 473 millilitres; 4,950 yen

▼ Can Shape Stainless Steel Bottle Crack Purple Gradation — 473 millilitres; 5,300 yen

▼ Can Shape Stainless Steel Bottle Crack Mint Green — 355 millilitres; 4,650 yen

▼ Stainless Steel Logo Bottle Gold — 473 millilitres; 4,800 yen

▼ Stainless Steel ToGo Logo Tumbler Metallic — 473 millilitres; 4,500 yen

▼ Stainless Steel Logo Bottle Silver (online store only) — 473 millilitres; 4,800 yen

▼ Can Shape Stainless Steel Bottle Ivory (online store only) — 355 millilitres; 4,150 yen

▼ 3-Way Stainless Tumbler Stanley Blue Gradient — 414 millilitres; 5,100 yen

▼ 3-Way Stainless Tumbler Stanley Mint Green Gradient — 591 millilitres; 6,300 yen

▼ 3-Way Stainless Tumbler Stanley Mint Green Gradient — 887 millilitres; 7,200 yen

▼ 3-Way Stainless Tumbler Stanley Gradient (online store only) — 414 millilitres; 5,100 yen

▼ Logo Cold Cup Tumbler Neon Yellow — 710 millilitres; 2,850 yen

▼ Logo Cold Cup Tumbler Neon Pink — 710 millilitres; 2,850 yen

▼ Shaker Bottle — 444 millilitres; 2,500 yen

▼ Heat-resistant Glass Mug Medal Light Green — 355 millilitres; 3,300 yen

▼ Glass Tumbler Blue Gradient — 473 millilitres; 3,300 yen

The items above do a great job of conveying the changing colours on the landscape as we transition from winter to spring, but the colour-changing cups below take things to the next level.

▼ Mystery Colour Changing Reusable Cold Cup (store sales only) – 710 millilitres; 900 yen

▼ The cup changes colour when cold, so you won’t know which of the four designs you’ve received until you add a chilled beverage to it.

▼ Mystery Colour Changing Reusable Cold Cup (710 millilitres) + Mystery Pack Reusable Cup Straw Cap Bearista — 1,500 yen

The straw caps above are sold in sealed bags so the gummy-inspired colour you receive is also a mystery upon purchasing. These cup accessories are a fun way to add excitement and colour to your drink, and there’s another set of accessories that come included with one other product in the range.

▼ The Joy Pack Water Bottle Beige — 710 millilitres; 1,900 yen

Each bottle comes with a free sticker and coin case, packaged in a silver bag to conceal which of the four varieties you’ve received. The stickers feature Bearista designs inspired by gummy candies in different colours.

▼ The four varieties available

And if you’d like to match your colour-changing cups and gummy-coloured Bearistas to your reusable eco bag, Starbucks is releasing a specially designed type that’s separated in the middle so you can carry your hot items on one side and cold items in the other. There are five designs available, priced at 2,400 yen each, and they all come with a card case to carry your Starbucks card.

▼ The Mint and Black designs can be purchase in stores and online…

▼ …while the Blue, Red, and Yellow are only available online.

The entire collection will be available to purchase from 12 March, except the online store-only items, which were released on 10 March. It’s a colourful way to welcome spring into our lives, and all the cups, mugs and tumblers will be the perfect partner for the new colour-changing Frappuccino.

Related: Starbucks online store
Source, images: Press release
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