Fanta Grapefruit is back!

I saw something "new" at the shop few days ago!!

Fanta Grapefruit

By the way, as you can see in the picture, Fanta ume (plum) was also in the market, but I didn't take any good pictures of it earlier. =( When I came back to the shop the other day, it was not there anymore. Only Fanta Grapefruit and Grape were there instead. Bad luck!

I'm sorry that I won't be able to tell you how the taste of Fanta Grapefruit is, because it is definitely not the kind of flavor I will buy!!! hehe =P I'm scared of grapefruits in general, because they are so sour (for me, at least!). I also do not drink grapefruit juice. I'm aware of the nutritional value of grapefruit, but what to do? I was tortured each time I ate it. By the way, grapefruit has tons of nutrients and is said to be able to prevent various health issues such a high cholesterol level and constipation. It contains vitamin C and antioxidant, and it may help in weight loss programs.

I like to see grapefruits actually, especially the ones with red pulps inside. How can they be so bright in yellow outside and also have such striking red color inside?! My impression everytime I see this type of grapefruit is like as if I see watermelon, hehe. They look so sweet ... but yah... >_____<

In fact, Fanta Grapefruit is not new, as well as some other Fanta flavors. It was in the Japan market before on 1993 and 2002. It must be exciting for all the grapefruit lovers to be able to enjoy this special edition Fanta flavor again. :) This blog shows great collections of Fanta from all over the world! Although it might not be the complete list to date, but it was interesting to see that at least Fanta has been around since 1968!

I coincidentally was wearing yellow that day!  Perfect day for the finding. :)

Yodobashi bottle cap tripod from Japan

Bottle cap tripod

This is one of the amazing stuffs we found in Golden Market! I suppose you can guess from the picture... YUPPPP it is a bottle cap tripod ! ^__^

Isn't it an amazing invention?!

In fact we didn't realize what it was. We were stopping at one stall selling a Skip-Bo card game, and Javier saw this in a basket with many other stuffs. I noticed it too earlier, but I thought it was a water strainer for kitchen sink or something, so I didn't bother to check, especially since we still have half dome to discover.

By the way, we bought the Skip-Bo card game first, for 50 yen, hehe. They offered it for 150 yen but, of course, I felt a bit guilty if I didn't ask, "Can it be cheaper?", since in Japan we can bargain only in this kind of events. ^^ I like to try to bargain, coz great deals are always good for me (of course), and they are another interesting stories to share with friends. It's not as if I force the seller to give it to me for a super cheap price anyway, coz my first question is always, "Can it be cheaper?" If they say no, then fine, I will decide if it is worthy. :)

We didn't know what this Skip-Bo game is about, but since the maker is the same with UNO, the minimum players can be 2 persons only, the item is unused, and the price is only 50 yen some more! , we had to buy it! ^^ Javier and I enjoy playing simple board games to have fun with friends. We cant wait to try this game. Hopefully it is quite fun. :)

The back of the package with explanations

Back to the tripod, the item itself is quite light and compact, since the materials are mainly rubber and plastic, making it perfect to  carry inside our bags all the time. The explanation says that it can be used with pet bottles, wine bottles, and even toiletry bottles. OMG ... I didn't know this stuff exists! All this time I have been treating my pocket camera so badly ... o.O ...

I tend to take a lot of pictures in every occasion, and there were times when it was just impossible to get someone to take picture for us. Therefore, we tried to find a place to put the camera and then to set the timer. The problem was that we couldn't find decent spot to put my camera on, so few times I put it on the asphalt, bushes o.O, or ... mmm, trash bins. ___ ___ !! well... anything would do for memorable pictures! hehe, but yah, my poor little camera has scratches here and there... :"(

After Javier bought a DSLR camera and a big tripod, we used to bring the big tripod on our trips, so at least the time the camera had to sit on the trash bins were a bit less... =P haha. However, the tripod is too big, and it was quite complicated to attach, detach, attach, detach ... It is definitely not suitable for my style of taking pictures. I don't like the small tripod, by the way. That's why this bottle cap tripod is just perfect for me ! ^___^

Close view of the bottle cap tripod

Exactly after we bought it, we tried to attach it to Evian bottle, since it was the only bottle we had that time. It could work, although it was extremely tight. However, it worked so well with "Japanese" bottle caps. It was tight enough not to allow the camera to move, but it was not difficult to attach and detach it from the bottle. In addition, there was no problem with the balance, even when I tried it on a 1/3-full bottle. I haven't tried it with Javier's DSLR camera, though. I'm wondering if it might work, as well. =P

The tripod attached to a bottle of Pokka C Limone

The tripod allows movements up to 30 degrees angle to all sides

The original price stated was 1980 yen. They also offered it for 150 yen, but then they reduced it to... 50 yen o.O yuhuu! It seems to be an original design from Yodobashi Camera, one of the biggest electronic shops in Japan. I tried to check for it in Yodobashi Camera website, and it is on sale for 500 yen, but only the white color left. Quite a great deal, huh? :)

New Choco Ball drink ... and Kyoro chan

The new Choco Ball drink in peanuts flavor 

I have been developing the habit of checking the racks in detail trying to find new things every time I go to supermarkets or snack shops. This time I found ...

the new Choco Ball drink in peanuts flavor! ^_____^ 

The taste was not as imagined, but it was unique and I find it quite light compared to other milky drinks. The peanuts flavor is quite strong, so definitely it's not just like a normal chocolate milk. The parrot at the packaging is  called Kyoro chan. Isn't it cute?! So excited! Kyoro chan is definitely the new character I'm obsessed with this year! ^^

Kyorochan soft toy with batteries we found in Spring Golden Market 2013

Kyoro chan (キョロちゃん) is a Japanese cartoon character that is a mascot for Choco Ball, a brand of Morinaga chocolate. Due to its popularity, this super cute parrot had his own anime series in 1999-2000 and a movie which was released around 2000-2001 in Japan, as well as soft toys and other related merchandises.

Choco Balls peanuts, strawberry and soybean mochi

The strawberry Choco Ball contains some special balls with cute pictures of Kyoro chan

Kyoro chan has a lot of expressions, but he always looks happy and smiling. I love this character because it just simply brightens my day and makes me smile just by looking at him. ^^ In this case, I’m going to hunt for Kyoro chan soft toy to put it on my desk, so hopefully working won’t be so boring anymore! ^_^ 

Choco Balls on the display rack

View from top: Each eyes expression reflects different design of Kyoro chan at the box cover

Other Choco Ball version

I mentioned before in my previous post, that there is a chance to win Kyoro chan merchandise if we are lucky. I still wish I could win! ^___^ But yah... it seems impossible.

Anyway, I just changed my display wallpaper to Kyoro chan wallpaper downloaded from the official Kyoro chan / Choco Ball website from Morinaga. The website is exxxtremely cute and gives a happy feeling just by looking at it! You have to check it out! And of course, don't miss the video below!

Super cute strawberry Kyoro chan ^^

Pepsi Salty Watermelon from Japan!

Pepsi Salty Watermelon is definitely my favourite carbonated drink! ^^ However, I have to warn you that I like it so much only because of its unique flavor. I'm not the best person to talk about the quality of carbonated drinks. :)

Pepsi Salty Watermelon from Japan

In fact, this version of Pepsi is not new. It was released on July 24, 2012, sold for a limited time only, to celebrate the enjoyment of summer. It came in 490ml bottle with a label showing 2 big watermelons and white sand beach in the background.

Pepsi Salty Watermelon on the rack

Talking about summer, summer season is very precious here because, as an island blessed by powder snow for around 5-6 months per year, Hokkaido citizens enjoy relatively short summer season compared to other parts of Japan.

However, we should not forget that Hokkaido is extremely pretty the whole year! One of the many attractions of Hokkaido is its four distinctive seasons which offer different scenery, food and activities. The beauty has been drawing large number of both local and foreign visitors every year. Just keep in mind that if you plan to visit Hokkaido, decide what you want to see here first and plan your trip early because certain things exist strictly during certain period of the season! Flowers, especially.

Since Pepsi Salty Watermelon was released on July 2012, let's see some pictures taken around July last year. :)

Lavender garden at Furano, Hokkaido

I loveee this picture so much! ^__^

Sunflower garden at Biei, Hokkaido

Shimamui beach and its Shakotan blue 

You can find my post about Shimamui beach and Shakotan peninsula here.

Besides the beautiful scenery, summer in Japan is full of events and activities. One of the most popular ones is fireworks display or "Hanabi Taikai". If you visit Japan on July or August, you can see a lot of fireworks display everywhere in Japan, hold mostly every weekend for around a month. You will also be able to see the Japanese people (and foreigners, as well !) wearing yukata, which is a casual summer kimono, while watching the fireworks.

Fireworks display is one of the popular events for dating :)

Watching fireworks at Toyohira river :)

Purikura (Photo box) session after! ^^

Back to Pepsi Salty Watermelon, it is the first pepsi I bought a lot for my own collection. Although I don't like carbonated drinks, drinking a sip of this pepsi salty watermelon from time to time gave me such a unique feeling of getting back the memory of our precious summer during the colder days. Besides, i think the color is quite special for pepsi. I'm quite sad to see that it expired quite fast. :( I have 2 bottles left with me and I still keep them although they are already expired. =P

Pepsi Salty Watermelon's expiry date :(

Nutritional value

I have never tried salted watermelon in my life to be honest, hehe. I will definitely try it next summer! ^^ For you who have never tried salting your watermelon, it is said that salting a watermelon which is not sweet enough will make it taster better and sweeter. It seems to work for apples, as well! However, keep in mind that you shouldn`t put too much salt like when you eat french fries!

Pepsi White and Pepsi Salty Watermelon from Japan

If you are also interested to see other limited edition drinks,

don't forget to check my posts about:

1. Japan's Pepsi Franky Cola which is another latest special edition Pepsi based on famous Japanese shounen manga series, One Piece (ワンピース)

2. Japan's summer edition Pepsi Black Lemon with all-black Pepsi logo, a bit of lemon flavor and 50% less sugar content
3. Japan's latest winter edition Pepsi White launched on December 11, 2012

4. Some new Fanta flavors!

5. Coke Zero 007 Skyfall Special Edition

New Pepsi White from Japan

Another reason to get excited!!! ^______^ 

I'm sure you can guess why just by looking at the post title. hehe ^^

First of all, the weather was not so bad this morning. It was snowing a lot, but luckily the wind was not strong, so it wasn't that cold... wait. I mean, compared to when it's windy. =P

The thing we can always be sure of is that the scenery is sooooo extremely pretty! I will never get bored of the scenery although from time to time I wish the winter will end soon haha =P, because having the city covered by snow around 5 months is just too long especially if we talk about the slippery road and having your face freezing everytime you are outside.

Some pictures taken that day:

Feel like shaking the trees and making all the snow drops!

Hokkaido University main road. Pretty all year round :)

Always call this sight 'ice cream' ^___^

All white and cold, but pretty, so it's fine. :) The best moment is just after heavy snowfall. The fresh snow is so fluffy and powdery! That's why Hokkaido is famous as the powder heaven. This article from totaltravel Yahoo!7 mentioned that the snow flakes just keep on falling on Hokkaido, and Niseko, Japan's premiere ski resort is "one of the most snowed-on resorts on earth."

And what else can be better to light up the market in this snowy season?

Japan's New Pepsi White, of course! ^^

Pepsi White has 雪みかん flavor (the direct translation is "snow orange") written on the label. This cola with refreshing mandarin orange flavor and snow-colored liquid was officially launced in December 11, 2012. I spotted it on December 12, 2012, which means I'm quite early I guess? ^^

According to the official website of SUNTORY, Japan's pepsi distributor, six designs of snowmen are used for the label design. The package itself was meant to express the joy of winter. I was not sure how many designs they have earlier, so I checked them one-by-one at the store, hehe ^^ I bought 7 in the end (...), because I bought 6 with 6 different designs for souvenirs, and 1 for me to try. :)

I found the smell of orange is more obvious than the taste, though. I still think the pepsi salty watermelon is the best and the most unique. I bought really a lot during summer. not for me to drink, of course, because I'm not a fan of carbonated drinks for drinking purpose, hehe. I will have to give them away soon as the expiry date is getting closer. Too bad they are not in the market anymore...

Pepsi White and Pepsi Salty Watermelon from Japan

If you are also interested to see other limited edition drinks,

don't forget to check my posts about:

1. Japan's Pepsi Franky Cola which is another latest special edition Pepsi based on famous Japanese shounen manga series, One Piece (ワンピース)

2. Japan's summer edition Pepsi Black Lemon with all-black Pepsi logo, a bit of lemon flavor and 50% less sugar content
3. Japan's summer edition Pepsi Salty Watermelon, my favourite among all ^__^, released last year to celebrate the enjoyment of summer.

4. Some new Fanta flavors!

5. Coke Zero 007 Skyfall Special Edition

Coke Zero 007 Skyfall Special Edition

coke zero 007 skyfall

Found the new special edition coke zero : 007 Skyfall edition ! I saw it in seven-eleven one week before the premiere day of movie. I was tempted to buy it just to get the can for collection, but in the end i didn't do so, coz i still have a lotttt of other special edition drinks from last time! i'm not a big fan of carbonated drinks but i always love to try the new flavors. well, but just a bit, haha (that's the problem!) In the case that the drink itself has no special flavor, i still love to collect them.

If you are also interested to see other limited edition drinks,

don't forget to check my posts about:

1. Japan's latest winter edition Pepsi White launched on December 11, 2012

2. Japan's summer edition Pepsi Black Lemon with all-black Pepsi logo, a bit of lemon flavor and 50% less sugar content

3. Japan's Pepsi Franky Cola which is another latest special edition Pepsi based on famous Japanese shounen manga series, One Piece (ワンピース)
4. Japan's summer edition Pepsi Salty Watermelon, my favourite among all ^__^, released last year to celebrate the enjoyment of summer.

5. Some new Fanta flavors!

Pepsi Franky Cola (based on One Piece manga series)

Pepsi Franky Cola based on One Piece manga series

What’s new this time ?!? PEPSI FRANKY COLA !!! ^___^

Pepsi Franky Cola based on One Piece manga series

I passed by 7-11 yesterday to pay some bills, and I found this new version of pepsi ! Being quite different with other special edition Pepsi, Pepsi Franky Cola comes in glass bottle instead of plastic. Quite nice to collect for One Piece manga lovers, huh ? ^^

 I’m not a big fan of carbonated drinks, but I always love to check on new unique and limited edition stuffs, especially drinks ! ^^ I bought them too sometimes, although it really took a lot of time for me to finish them. I bought a lot of pepsi salty watermelon to bring back home for xmas, though. I love the unique candy-like taste. 

So, what is Franky cola ? well… cola is like fuel for Franky. 

In case you don’t know, Franky (フランキー) is one of the characters of famous Japanese shounen manga series, One Piece (ワンピース). The manga has been adapted into original video animation (OVA) and anime series, as well. 

Franky is a cyborg from Water 7, and the shipwright for the Straw Hat Pirates. He was actually an antagonist character before he became the eighth member of the Straw Hatpirates. He is a powerful man with extremely big arms especially compared to the small size of his biceps. His fashion style is … unique, hehe. Blue hair, Hawaiian shirt, speedo,big gold chain necklace... 

Because of the modifications he did upon himself, Franky becomes a human with artificial parts, giving him vast amount of strength. Franky keeps bottles of cola in his stomach fridge, and the colas are mostly needed as fuel for some attacks. His most powerful attack uses up the most cola.

If you are also interested to see other limited edition drinks,
don't forget to check my posts about:

1. Japan's latest winter edition Pepsi White launched on December 11, 2012

2. Japan's summer edition Pepsi Black Lemon with all-black Pepsi logo, a bit of lemon flavor and 50% less sugar content
3. Japan's summer edition Pepsi Salty Watermelon, my favourite among all ^__^, released last year to celebrate the enjoyment of summer

4. Some new Fanta flavors!

5. Coke Zero 007 Skyfall Special Edition

New FANTA flavors - some using the old logo

Fanta apple and fanta peach

Fanta golden grape

The fact that Japan always has special edition stuffs in the market especially related to food and drinks makes me love this country even more. I will never get bored because there is always new thing to appreciate and enjoy everyday!

This year FANTA came up with some new flavors (not sure if these flavors have been produced in Japan before, but they haven't been in the market since I came) :
apple, peach, grape, strawberry soda, and golden grape.

As you can see, some of them use the old logo of FANTA. It really reminds me of my childhood.. ^^ I'm not a big fan of carbonated drinks, to be honest. It takes days for me to finish only one bottle !! (HA..HA) however, I'm always tempted to try special edition stuffs ! ^_____^

Since they came into the market around the same time, I didn't try them all but I tried fanta golden grape. In my opinion, the taste and smell quite represented the green grapes. I haven't managed to research the difference between green grapes and golden grapes, hehe. If any of you know something about it, please let me know! :)

Don't forget to check my post about Japan's latest winter edition Pepsi White launched on December 11, 2012, Pepsi Franky Cola which is another latest special edition Pepsi based on famous Japanese shounen manga series, One Piece (ワンピース), Japan's summer edition Pepsi Black Lemon with all-black Pepsi logo, a bit of lemon flavor and 50% less sugar content, Japan's summer edition Pepsi Salty Watermelon, my favourite among all ^__^, released last year to celebrate the enjoyment of summer, and Coke Zero 007 Skyfall Special Edition. :)

Pepsi Black Lemon from Japan

This post is a bit late because it seems I cannot find Pepsi Black Lemon in the market anymore. However, it has to be here because it is also limited edition Pepsi! ^_^ It was released on summer 2012 to refresh the hot summer all over Japan ( except Hokkaido =P hihi.. In general, it's not that hot here on summer. Oh I love Hokkaido!! ).

Pepsi Black Lemon came with a bit of lemon flavor and 50% less sugar content. It tasted like Diet Coke  due to the less sugar content, a bit bitter as well, but I don't mind because it felt healthier, hehe. The aroma of lemon was quite nice, but I couldn't really taste the lemon... or... it might because the lemon didn't taste like fresh lemon.

Pepsi black lemon

The label is mostly monochrome with a bit of yellow, very cool actually but not cute, haha, although I love the all-black Pepsi logo. Compared to the crazy amount of Pepsi Salty Watermelon I bought, I only bought 2 bottles of Pepsi Black Lemon that time. One for me to try, as usual ;) , and one for Javier's sister.

If you are also interested to see other limited edition drinks,
don't forget to check my posts about:

1. Japan's Pepsi Franky Cola which is another latest special edition Pepsi based on famous Japanese shounen manga series, One Piece (ワンピース)
2. Japan's latest winter edition Pepsi White launched on December 11, 2012
3. Japan's summer edition Pepsi Salty Watermelon, my favourite among all ^__^, released last year to celebrate the enjoyment of summer.
4. Some new Fanta flavors!
5. Coke Zero 007 Skyfall Special Edition