Discover Your Favorite Feline with “Neko Mix”
The “Neko Mix” candies feature a variety of charming cat designs, each with distinct colors, expressions, and patterns, reminiscent of cats one might encounter in everyday life. These candies are crafted with accessible fruit flavors. The collection includes a serene Calico cat with closed eyes and stylish wavy whiskers, a mystical white cat with captivating odd eyes and long whiskers, a distinctive Tabby cat with a unique muted beige hue and tiger stripes, a grumpy-looking Hachiware (bicolor) cat with puffy whisker pads, and an endearing black cat with narrowed eyes and fluffy fur.
Craftsmanship is evident in every detail, from eye and fur colors to eye shapes and whisker expressions. The artisans faced particular challenges in replicating the Tabby cat’s subtle beige, requiring extensive trial and error. The intricate patterns of the cat designs demand precise adjustments in shape, size, angle, and number of individual pieces, making these some of the most challenging candies to create. “The meticulous attention to detail truly brings each cat’s personality to life in candy form,” a PAPABUBBLE artisan noted, inviting customers to find their favorite among the diverse lineup.
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Neko Mix: 740 yen (tax included)
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Neko Mini Set: 1,840 yen (tax included)
“Neko’s Paw Lollipop” for Busy Days
A new addition to the collection is the “Neko’s Paw Lollipop,” featuring the soft, adorable motif of a cat’s paw pad. Designed to evoke a relaxed, cat-like mood upon tasting, these lollipops are primarily tea-flavored with milky notes. Artisans focused on replicating the paw’s natural roundness, three-dimensionality, and squishy texture, paying close attention to shape balance and thickness. Inspired by the milky hues of many cat breeds, the flavors are creamy cafe-style drinks, offering a gentle, mellow taste that provides a moment of calm in a busy day. These lollipops are an ideal small gift for those who feel they “need a cat’s help” (a Japanese idiom for being extremely busy).
- Neko’s Paw Lollipop: 950 yen (tax included)
The Grand “Maneki Neko Candy”
For a truly impactful gift or decoration, PAPABUBBLE introduces a large, approximately 1kg “Maneki Neko” (lucky cat) candy. This candy boasts a glass-like transparency and a lustrous, crystal-like shine, embodying the wish to “invite good fortune.” Crafted from a material more resistant to humidity and melting than typical sugar confections, it maintains its beautiful transparency and glossy texture for extended periods, making it suitable for both consumption and display. The impressive size makes it a striking decorative piece. The candy features a golden-yellow color, symbolizing good luck, and is flavored with a blend of pineapple and a hint of honey. This particular Maneki Neko raises its left paw, which is traditionally believed to “invite people” and “bring good relationships.” It is recommended for those seeking a unique, impactful item, cat enthusiasts, or as a distinctively Japanese, auspicious gift for international visitors.
- Maneki Neko Candy: 15,000 yen (tax included)
“PAPABUBBLE” × “Neko Neko” Collaboration Returns
This year’s collaboration with “Neko Neko” also features exclusive items, including candies based on real cat photos submitted by the public and unique packaging.
Koneko Mix (Kitten Mix)
Under the concept of “Your Kitten Becomes Candy,” PAPABUBBLE and “Neko Neko” jointly held an SNS campaign, “#OurKittenCandyProject.” From numerous submissions, PAPABUBBLE artisans carefully selected cats to be immortalized as limited-edition candies. The selection criteria considered each cat’s unique fur color, patterns, and expressions, as well as how appealing they would look when sliced as candy and arranged in a mix. Each candy is designed by artisans based on actual kitten photographs, meticulously reproducing fine details like fur, patterns, ear shapes, eye colors, and even moles. Clear colors are used for the paw pad patterns, enhancing the candy’s inherent beauty.
- Koneko Mix Blue: 740 yen (tax included)
Neko Neko Shokupan Candy Can
This special candy can, a must-have for “Neko Neko Shokupan” (cat-shaped bread) fans, replicates the bread’s iconic shape and design. It contains two bags of PAPABUBBLE’s exclusive “Koneko Mix Blue” candies and one limited-edition sticker created for this collaboration. The sturdy can is designed to be reusable as a小物入れ (komono-ire, small item container) or for storage, offering a lasting memento beyond just the sweets. The printed design on the can meticulously matches the actual baked color of Neko Neko Shokupan. Its compact, palm-sized form makes it endearing to hold.
- [PAPABUBBLE Exclusive] Neko Neko Shokupan Candy Can: 1,200 yen (tax included)
Neko Neko Shokupan Mini Lollipop
Last year’s viral full-sized “Neko Neko Shokupan Lollipop” now appears in a cuter, more accessible mini size. It retains the realistic texture and baked color of Neko Neko Shokupan, masterfully recreated by PAPABUBBLE’s artisans. This mini version was developed in response to consumer demand for a more casual size after the original’s social media success. The flavor is a gentle milk, reminiscent of Neko Neko Shokupan’s subtle sweetness. The browned crust details are meticulously hand-applied by artisans, while the white bread portion is crafted with air-infused candy to simulate a soft, fluffy texture. This mini lollipop embodies the unique blend of realism and cuteness achievable through PAPABUBBLE’s craftsmanship.
- Neko Neko Shokupan Mini Lollipop: 1,000 yen (tax included)
Where to Purchase
These delightful cat-themed candies are available at all PAPABUBBLE stores and on the official PAPABUBBLE online store. Additionally, “Neko Neko” retail locations and the official online store, “All Hearts Mall,” will offer different collaboration items, including a “Koneko Mix Pink” with unique cat designs chosen from the public contest, and a limited-edition can with exclusive candy patterns and stickers (can design is shared with PAPABUBBLE’s version).
- PAPABUBBLE Official Online Store: https://papabubble.co.jp/collections/2026-neko
This collaborative collection not only celebrates “Cat Day” but also showcases the intricate artistry of Japanese candy making. Such unique, character-driven confections continue to be a cornerstone of Japan’s kawaii culture, captivating audiences worldwide and adding a heartwarming sweetness to global celebrations.
