A Trio of Tastes in a Charming Package
This charming collaboration features Mary Chocolate’s popular “Sweets Time” Plain Cacao, now encased in a vibrant, special edition package adorned with the beloved Hanepyon. Each 49g box, priced at 378 yen (tax included), offers a trio of classic flavors: smooth milk, rich sweet, and intense bitter chocolate. It’s a perfect blend for any chocolate lover, promising a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
The chocolates are available for purchase at several locations across Ota City:
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Ota Tourist Association (inside Ota City Industrial Plaza PiO)
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Ota City Tourist Information Center (Wing Kitchen Keikyu Kamata M2F)
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Mary Chocolate Kamata Plaza Tokyu Store
For those who prefer online shopping, the Ota Tourist Association’s official online store, “Hanepyon Store” (https://otakanko-hanepyon.stores.jp/), is slated to begin sales in early February.
The Sweet Partnership: Mary Chocolate and Ota City’s Hanepyon
This initiative is a joint effort between the Ota Tourist Association and Mary Chocolate Co., Ltd., a long-established chocolate maker headquartered within Ota City, known for its quality confections. The collaboration aims to highlight Ota City’s appeal, leveraging the widespread popularity of both Mary Chocolate and Hanepyon.
Hanepyon, Ota City’s official PR character and tourism ambassador, is the adorable face of this new product. Its name cleverly combines “Hane” from Haneda Airport, Japan’s international gateway located in Ota, and “Pyon,” representing its lively hops around the city’s attractions like cherry blossom spots and public baths (sento). Hanepyon’s design, reminiscent of airplane wings with a cherry blossom necklace and a small bath桶 (furooke – a traditional Japanese bath tub), embodies the city’s unique blend of modern travel and traditional charm. The Ota Tourist Association, dedicated to promoting the city, sees this product as a sweet invitation for both residents and visitors, domestic and international, to discover Ota’s unique character through a familiar and comforting treat.
Hanepyon’s Joyful Reaction
Even Hanepyon shared its excitement, exclaiming, “Do you know me, pyon? Sweets Time with Hanepyon packaging is here, pyon! Thank you, Mary Chocolate, for the cute yellow package, hane! Milk, bitter, sweet… which one to choose, hane! They’re all delicious, so it’s hard to decide, pyon! I’d be happy if everyone smiles when they receive it as a Valentine’s gift or a souvenir from Ota City, pyon! Who will you give it to, hane? Of course, it’s also a good gift for yourself who’s working hard, hane ne!”
A Sweet Future for Kawaii Culture
This collaboration is a strategic move, with Mary Chocolate expressing hopes that the product will introduce more people to their brand while also fostering a deeper appreciation for Ota City’s charm. Similarly, the Ota Tourist Association envisions the delightful Hanepyon-adorned chocolates contributing to a city filled with smiles, making it an unforgettable souvenir or a heartfelt gift.
The “Plain Cacao (Hanepyon)” chocolate exemplifies the vibrant fusion of local charm and beloved characters, a hallmark of Japan’s enduring Kawaii culture. By transforming everyday sweets into collectible, storytelling items, such collaborations not only delight consumers but also serve as charming ambassadors, potentially sparking interest in Ota City and its unique offerings among a global audience. This sweet initiative promises to keep the spirit of Kawaii hopping joyfully into the future, one delicious chocolate at a time.
For more information on the collaborators, visit:
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Mary Chocolate: https://www.mary.co.jp/mary/
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Ota Tourist Association: https://www.o-2.jp/
