Pink Tentacle » Drink

Addictive ads, 1894-1954

Pink Tentacle — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:19:42 +0000

Here is a collection of Japanese advertisements for drinks and smokes (1894-1954).

Hero Cigarettes, 1894

Tokio Beer, 1896-1906

Chūyū Cigarettes, 1900

Peacock Cigarettes, 1902

Kabuto Beer, 1911

Dai Nippon Brewery Company, 1912

Kembang Beer (Sakura Beer export label), 1912-1916

Sakura Beer, 1924

Umegatani sake, 1926

Sakura Beer, 1928-1932

Cascade Beer, 1929

Yebisu Beer, 1930

Minori Cigarettes, 1930

"Tobacco Profits for National Defense" Week, 1930 // Hibiki Cigarettes, 1932

Urara Cigarettes, 1932

Kirin Beer, 1933

Zuigan sake, 1934

Takara shōchū, 1935-1938

Gekkeikan sake, 1935-1938

"Defense for country, tobacco for society" (South Kyoto Tobacco Sellers' Union), 1937

Sakura Beer, 1938

Kirin Beer, 1939

Anti-black market poster (violators face 3 years in prison, 50,000 yen fine), 1948

Message from Japan Monopoly Corporation, 1954

[Sources: Tabako Omoshiro Catalog Zukan (Kodansha, 1987) and Meiji/Taisho/Showa O-Sake No Hōkoku Graffiti (Kokusho, 2006)]

‘Space Barley’ six-packs for sale

Pink Tentacle — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:12:12 +0000

Sapporo Breweries has begun selling six-packs of the world's first "space beer" brewed with barley descended from seeds that spent time in space.

For now, only 250 six-packs of the beer, which Sapporo calls “Space Barley," are available for purchase. Customers will be selected at random from those who apply through the Space Barley website before December 24.

The barley used in the beer is the fourth-generation offspring of seeds that spent five months aboard the International Space Station in 2006 as part of research that Sapporo conducted with the Russian Academy of Sciences and Okayama University. The aim of the research was to study the adaptability and life cycle of barley in zero-gravity and to explore the challenges of achieving self-sufficient food production in space.

Space Barley beer has a mellow flavor and slightly dark color reminiscent of deep space, according to Sapporo. The six-packs are priced at an astronomical 10,000 yen ($110), but Sapporo will donate the profits to Okayama University, who will use the funds to promote science education for children and foster the development of space science research in Japan and Russia.

[Links: Space Barley website, Sapporo press release]

Ski jump toilet: Loo with a view

Pink Tentacle — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:45:36 +0000

As part of a winter marketing campaign by canned coffee brand Georgia Coffee Max, a number of toilets at ski resorts across Japan have been decorated with wrap-around murals depicting the view from the top of a ski jump.

[Image via Coloribus]

The attention-grabbing loos, which include a pair of skis printed on the floor, are designed to provide target customers an extra thrill as they take care of bathroom business.

Ski jump toilet at Madarao Kogen ski resort [Image via Re-Ski]

Advertising messages are placed on the toilet paper holder and on the wall behind the toilet.

[Link: Coloribus]

Canned Final Fantasy VII Potion

Pink Tentacle — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 07:15:06 +0000

To help commemorate the 10th anniversary of the release of Final Fantasy VII, Suntory has announced plans to begin selling its vitamin-packed Final Fantasy VII Potion carbonated drink in special aluminum cans featuring depictions of Cloud, Sephiroth and other characters from the game. Sixteen different character cans will be available at a price of 191 yen each when the limited-edition 4.8-million can shipment hits shelves on October 23.

[Source: Mantan Web]

Soy sauce for ice cream

Pink Tentacle — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:58:41 +0000

Since early this year, Yamakawa Jozo, a soy sauce brewery based in Gifu prefecture, has been selling a type of Tamari soy sauce specially designed for use on ice cream. With the sauce's rising popularity and a growing number of restaurants using it on their dessert menus, the company sold 5,000 bottles (70 ml for 350 yen/$3) in the second half of August.

A small amount of the rich, dark brew is said to give vanilla ice cream a caramel-like flavor, while a more liberal dose apparently makes vanilla ice cream taste more like mitarashi-dango (skewered rice dumplings covered in sweet sauce).

According to the president of Yamakawa Jozo, the company developed the soy sauce specifically for use with vanilla ice cream, but consumers have come forward with a number of unexpected recipes. In addition to claims that it goes well with other ice cream flavors like strawberry and chocolate, fans of the special sauce say it tastes great on kaki-gori (shaved ice) and on toast, and that it makes a great mixer for shochu (distilled liquor).

[Link: Asahi]

Afterthought: This special soy sauce would undoubtedly make a great topping for a number of these mouth-watering ice cream flavors: 1, 2, 3

Space yogurt

Pink Tentacle — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 09:11:15 +0000

Earlier this month, Himawari Dairy began selling space yogurt, which is made using two types of lactic acid bacteria that spent 10 days in space aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket last spring. The yogurt, called Uchu O Tabi Shita Yogurt (literally: "yogurt that travelled in space"), is now available in Shikoku's four prefectures. The space yogurt follows Tosa Space Sake, which hit shelves last spring, as the second space-related product created to stimulate business in Kochi prefecture.

Himawari Dairy worked with the Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS) to organize the space trip for the bacteria. The payload included lactic acid bacteria used in ordinary yogurt, as well as a unique strain of Lactobacillus paracasei cultured from pickles preserved in sake lees (sediment that occurs during sake brewing). In previous joint research conducted with Hokkaido University, Himawari found that Lactobacillus paracasei works to enhance the body's immunity to disease. The space yogurt was made using these two types of bacteria mixed with a third type of bacteria.

According to Himawari Dairy President Bunjiro Yoshizawa, about half of the bacteria died in the agar medium due to the harsh environment inside the rocket. The strong, surviving bacteria gives the space yogurt a more full-bodied flavor compared to yogurt made with standard earthbound bacteria.

The space yogurt is priced at 128 yen (a little more than US$1.00) for 90 grams of the pre-sweetened type and 238 yen (about US$2.00) for 400 grams of the plain type. A space yogurt drink is also available in 90 and 500 gram containers.

[Source: Nikkei Net]

Space-age brewers count down to April product launch

Pink Tentacle — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 05:48:17 +0000

Final preparations are being made for the April 1 launch of Tosa Space Sake, a Japanese rice wine made with a batch of yeast that spent 10 days in space last October aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. At a March 6 press conference held in Kochi city, the labels for the space sake, which will hit shelves across Japan next month, were displayed to the public.

Each of the 17 participating brewers from Kochi prefecture has their own marketing plan. Five of the companies� labels show an image of the earth floating in blue space. Another label was created by Dehara Yukinori, a "figure illustrator" native to Kochi city, whose design features a comical depiction of an astronaut, sake brewer, and farmer. A separate label for the?Tosa Space Sake (Tosa Uchu-shu) logo is also affixed to each bottle.

All that remains now is the final taste check. Then, on April 1, the world's first space sake will take off.

[Source: Kochi Shimbun]

[Further reading: Asahi Shimbun (English)]

Absolut Icebar opens in Tokyo

Pink Tentacle — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 05:26:13 +0000

On February 17, Swedish brand Absolut Vodka, in cooperation with ICEHOTEL and Carrozzeria Japan (Chuo ward, Tokyo), opened the Absolut Icebar Tokyo near Gaien Nishi Dori (Nishi-Azabu 4-chome, Tel: 03-5464-2161). Everything in the icebar -- from the walls and bar counter down to the drinking glasses -- is made from ice, which is transported to Japan from the Torne River in northern Sweden. The ice is reportedly the purest in the world.

Absolut Icebar Tokyo is the first of its kind in Asia. Other branches of the bar are located in Stockholm, London, and Milan. Consistent in design with the European versions, the temperature inside the bar is -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit), and the entranceway is equipped with an airlock to keep the cold air inside. Specially designed thermal capes and gloves are provided to customers.

The bar serves up a variety of original, Absolut Vodka-based cocktails. The price for one drink, which includes the entrance fee and use of a thermal cape and gloves, is 3,500 yen. Refills are priced at 1,200 yen (cocktails) and 1,000 yen (soft drinks), and a fresh ice glass costs 800 yen. With 75 square meters (800 square feet) of floor space, there is enough room for only one seated table and up to 50 people. Hours are from 5 PM to 12 midnight.

The original Absolut Icebar was established at the ICEHOTEL, the world�s first hotel made from ice, located in Jukkasjarvi, northern Sweden.

[Source: Roppongi Keizai Shimbun]