19, March 2009
Japanese boutique farmers have discovered a new export market-Russia. High quality "Amaou" strawberries from Fukuoka in Southern Japan have recently become a very popular luxury food among Moscow's elite.
12, February 2009
Japanese, like citizens of many other countries, celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14th. However, there is a twist. In Japan it is customary for females give chocolates or other small gifts to males to celebrate the event. Honors are returned one month later on March 14th, "White Day," when males offer chocolates and other gifts to females.
January 22, 2009
This year, Valentine's Day falls on a Thursday - a disadvantage for retailers selling premium chocolates. However, there does not appear to be any need to worry. According to a survey taken at the Plantan Ginza Department Store 63% of Japanese women are already planning purchase chocolate for their significant other. The average amount to be spent is approximately 12 USD. Opposed to most Western countries, in Japan it is the women who traditionally give chocolate or other gifts to their male partners on Valentine's Day.
January 22, 2009
Godiva, one of Belgium's most well known chocolatiers will open a new concept shop, "Chocoist" in Harajuku Tokyo on January 23, 2009.
January 08, 2009
Luxury chocolatier Godiva has announced the launch of it's first "Godiva cafe." The cafe, the first in Japan for this chocolate
November 06, 2008
The Gucci Cafe is on the fourth floor of the Gucci building in Tokyo's Ginza district. Located on the 19th floor, the cafe is designed for individuals to enjoy a luxurious break during their shopping. In preparation for the holiday season, the cafe will introduce a new limited term menu from November 19. The limited term menu includes special items inspired by Gucci's newest collection, including a "Pistachio Latte" with cream accompanied by heart-shaped strawberry tarts.
September 03, 2008
Itochu Shokuhin, the food product subsidiary of Japanese trading house Itochu, has announced it will launch a new line of luxury prepared food products. Itcho Shokuhin has formalized agreements with several well-known, premium restaurants throughout the country and is cooperating with them to create packaged food products inspired by their most popular menu items.
July 14, 2008
From the first of this month a special product from the western city of Amagasaki will be available for purchase, a unique soy sauce using a recipe from the Edo Period dating from 1600-1868. One of the special features which draw attention to the product is the mellow aroma that fills the room when it is poured into the small plate designed especially for soy sauce. Every year this popular Japanese product sells out very quickly, in part to due to unique features of the soy sauce and the blend of ingredients which require focused attention during the production and fermentation stages.
July 14, 2008
Producers of the very popular variety of premium Japanese beef, Saga Beef, have been strengthening their efforts to promote their product internationally. In particular Saga Beef is being promoted in the Middle East, the third largest market in the world for premium Japanese beef, behind Hong Kong and America. Much attention has been paid to the affluent class there by focusing on luxury resorts such as those in and around Dubai where there is a strong appeal for the premium-end Japanese beef.
June 11, 2008
Suntory Whisky has announced they will be increasing prices on shipments starting September 1st this year. The price increase reflects the sudden increase in cost for raw materials, in particular malt. The increase is targeted at mid to high priced items which in total account for approximately 20% of Suntory's domestic products. Other than price raises caused by increases in alcohol tax, this will be the first time since 1983 that the company has increased their prices.
May 28, 2008
This year the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel will celebrate its 15th anniversary by holding special events and accommodation selections, along with themed menu courses throughout the year. In their first floor cafeteria the special lunch menu features local seasonal vegetables and other regional varieties blended into internationally influenced dishes such as vegetable crepes and handmade carrot pasta.
May 26, 2008
In 2007 Japan's champagne imports increased by 14.43% over the previous year, with more than 9,000,000 bottles brought into the Japanese market. Despite this increase Japan remained in 6th place in the world for champagne imports for the second year in a row, indicating a global increase in demand for champagne.
April 25, 2008
As part of their series on the worldfs top luxury brands, Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer Fuyuki Hiraishi interviewed Frederic Cumenal, president and CEO of Moet & Chandon.
1. Daikokuya Launches Online Luxury Handbag Rental Services
3. Korean Cosmetic Brand Opens New Salon Hanbang Ginza 10/19/08 Grand Opening
4. Online shopping for luxury goods in Japan
5. Gucci Café's Tart Heart Special Menu
6. Shiseido and Kanebo compete with premium cosmetics brands
7. Luxury brand Cartier decides to begin their online sales in the Japanese market
8. Chrome Hearts Tokyo - New Sales Approach
9. Kyoto stores compete for luxury brand market and customer attention
