Osaka’s Hanshin Umeda Dives into a Strawberry-Sweet Valentine’s Wonderland, Blending “Ichigo” Charm with Artisanal Chocolates

Experience “Strawberry Picking” Right in the City

One of the most unique offerings is the “Umeda Strawberry Picking” event, held from January 14 to February 3 at a special venue on the 8th floor. For a fee of 540 yen, participants can pick a pack of five strawberries, with options to upgrade to premium varieties for an additional cost. Reservations are essential and can be made via the Hanshin Online Store. This innovative approach allows visitors to enjoy the fresh sensation of strawberry picking without leaving the urban comfort of the department store.

Immerse in a Strawberry Wonderland with Photo Spots

The 8th floor will also feature captivating photo opportunities, including a giant strawberry object measuring over 2 meters in diameter. This vibrant installation, available from January 14, is designed to be irresistible for passersby. Additionally, “nuigurumi” (stuffed toy) photo stands will be available, encouraging visitors to enjoy their sweets in an “oshikatsu” (fandom activity) style, capturing their favorite treats with their beloved plush companions. It’s a perfect blend of “oshikatsu” culture and delicious treats!

“Ichigo Mesen”: A Berry Special Fandom Focus

From January 14 to 19, the 8th floor event space will host “Ichigo Mesen ~Oshi wa Berry Special!~”, an event showcasing over 40 creators offering strawberry-themed works. This includes a rich variety of items in “oshi-color” (favorite character’s color) options and special strawberry sweets created specifically for the event. For more details, visit the Ichigo Mesen Official URL.

Among the highlights is the “Luxury Strawberry Japanese Parfait” (1,501 yen) from Higashida Farm Strawberry, featuring “Electronic Strawberries” grown with electronic cultivation techniques. This parfait combines strawberry soft cream with hidden anko (red bean paste) and panna cotta for a harmonious blend of flavors.

“Local Chocolatier”: Connecting with Regional Flavors

The 1st floor “Shokusai Terrace” will host “Local Chocolatier ~Valentine Connecting Thoughts~” from January 14 to February 14. This event will feature rotating vendors, allowing visitors to discover unique chocolates and sweets made with regionally sourced ingredients, embodying the passion of their creators. Find out more at the Shokusai Terrace Official URL.

Highlights include:

• Filament Chocolate & Tea (Jan 14-27): Chocolates that pair cacao with tea, utilizing local ingredients like Nara’s “Yamato tea” and fruits to create beautiful, regionally inspired confections.

• Yonoiimo (Jan 14-27): Crispy fried “Beni Azuma” sweet potato chips, with a special Valentine’s edition dipped in chocolate, enhancing the potato’s natural sweetness with a hint of bitterness.

“Hanshin Strawberry & Choco Fes”: A Grand Gathering of Sweets

From January 21 to February 14, the 8th floor event space will host the “Hanshin Strawberry & Choco Fes,” offering an extensive selection of strawberry sweets and diverse chocolates.

Indulge in Approximately 50 Kinds of Strawberry Sweets

• Ao Coffee & Gallery: Presents two exquisite parfaits: the “White Strawberry Fromage Parfait” (2,420 yen, limited to 30 per day), featuring Hokkaido cream cheese and “Awayuki” white strawberries, and the “Earl Grey Scented Strawberry Parfait” (1,870 yen), a fragrant blend of “Amaou” strawberries and Earl Grey.

• Magic Kitchen: Offers the “Plenty of Strawberry Crispy Crepe” (1,296 yen, Hanshin Umeda Main Store exclusive). This luxurious crepe overflows with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, refreshing yogurt sauce, and sweet-sour strawberry compote, all wrapped in a crispy, aromatic crepe.

• Shin SUN: Features two parfaits exclusively for Hanshin Umeda Main Store: the “Ichigo-san Parfait” (1,491 yen), celebrating the balanced sweetness, juiciness, and beautiful form of Saga Prefecture’s “Ichigo-san” strawberries, and the “Three Kinds of Strawberry Parfait” (1,791 yen), allowing for a delightful comparison of different strawberry varieties.

A Rich Variety of Chocolates and Sweets

This festival will also feature an impressive lineup of chocolates, including collaborations with beloved long-seller candies and unique themed creations.

• Golden Sugar × Goncharoff: “Golden Sugar Truffle Chocolate” (1,080 yen per 100g, Hanshin Umeda Main Store exclusive). This collaboration with the classic “Golden Sugar” candy blends finely crushed candy into milk chocolate, offering a nostalgic, sweet crunch.

• Pine Ame × Goncharoff: “Pine Ame Truffle Chocolate” (1,080 yen per 100g). The iconic “Pine Ame” candy is reimagined into a refreshing chocolate, with crushed candy mixed into pineapple-flavored chocolate for a delightful sweet and sour experience.

• RINGTONS × Morozoff: “RINGTONS British Tea Truffles” (6 pieces for 1,512 yen, 9 pieces in a can for 1,728 yen). This popular collaboration returns with Earl Grey milk chocolate truffles in a classic limited-edition tea tin, and an assortment box featuring Earl Grey, Milk Tea, and Chai truffles.

• Qua Strawberry (Hanshin Tigers Model): “Qua Strawberry 6-piece Pair Set Hanshin Tigers Model” (2,301 yen, Hanshin exclusive). Freeze-dried strawberries are infused with bitter and white chocolate for a sweet-sour burst. This special Hanshin Tigers fan package includes two flavors, plus a matcha chocolate flavor in a cute mini drawstring bag.

• Wittamer: “Tablet Fraise” (1,728 yen per piece, limited to 1,000, Hanshin exclusive). From the Belgian Royal Warrant chocolatier, this white chocolate bar encloses rich strawberry and raspberry confiture, creating an artistic pink gradient.

• Exchur: “Strawberry Chocolat” (3 pieces for 1,620 yen, limited to 600, Hanshin exclusive). Bonbon chocolates featuring strawberry, strawberry mint, and strawberry caramel ganache, all enrobed in Belgian chocolate. The charming strawberry charm on the package adds a touch of cuteness.

• Goncharoff (Hanshin Tigers): “Hanshin Tigers Plain Chocolate Can” (12 pieces for 1,026 yen). A commemorative tin featuring Tora-san in a 90th-anniversary uniform, filled with milk and sweet chocolates.

• Zoology: “Mountain Gorilla” (1,404 yen per piece). A chocolate replica of a majestic mountain gorilla, complete with endearing eyes and a charming smile.

• Yokohama Vanilla: “Salt Vanilla Financier” (6 pieces for 2,160 yen). A luxurious financier boasting the intense vanilla aroma of Bourbon vanilla extract and rich, direct-flame caramelized butter. The sweetness is perfectly balanced by pink rock salt from the Andes Mountains.

“Packaging Perfect for Gifts or Personal Treats”

Discover chocolates with adorable packaging, ideal for gifts or treating yourself.

• Watson Daikanyama: “4 Kinds of Strawberry Comparison Set” (4 pieces for 3,240 yen, limited to 1,000, Hanshin Umeda Main Store exclusive). Chocolatier Masashi Okada, known for his dedication to using domestic fruits, crafts jewel-like chocolates from “Amaou,” “Awayuki,” “Yayoihime,” and “Koiminori” strawberries.

• Flower Knows × Goncharoff: “Flower Knows × Goncharoff B” (5 pieces for 1,944 yen). This collaboration with the popular cosmetic brand “Flower Knows” features colorful Goncharoff chocolates presented in a “Moonlight Mermaid” themed package, designed to resemble an eyeshadow palette.

• Mary Chocolate Nachtlabyrinth: “Meeres Mythos (Sea Myth)” (12 pieces for 2,916 yen, limited to 100). These chocolates invite you into a fantasy world, inspired by a journey from an ancient castle to a mythical underwater empire.

• Kissa Penguin: “Traveling Penguin” (45g/7 pieces for 1,296 yen, limited to 500). The café’s mascot, the “Traveling Penguin,” adorns this charming tin filled with three gentle flavors of milk, extra milk, and white chocolate.

Upcoming: A Valentine’s Event by Hanshin Umeda’s Young Employees

Starting in early February, closer to Valentine’s Day, Hanshin Umeda’s passionate young employees will launch their own unique Valentine’s events across three locations on the 2nd floor: “Creators Village” (Feb 4-10), “Event Space 1” (Feb 4-14), and “Event Terrace” (Feb 4-14). Further details on these innovative events are expected soon.

This year’s Hanshin Valentine’s event at Hanshin Umeda Main Store is more than just a chocolate sale; it’s a celebration of “kawaii” culture, local craftsmanship, and the sheer joy of strawberries. As Japanese department stores continue to innovate their seasonal offerings, the blend of traditional gift-giving with playful, immersive experiences like urban strawberry picking and character-themed sweets is sure to resonate with global audiences, setting new trends for how we celebrate love and indulgence. This fusion of unique flavors and engaging experiences solidifies Japan’s position as a leader in evolving kawaii culture abroad.