One of the must-do things when visiting Japan is searching for the local giant Pocky. Each place has its own flavor, and so far I’ve tried melon, milk, strawberry, grape, and more. I want to travel all over Japan and try every Pocky flavor.
Pocky Chocolate | Review by Star
Other Reviews by Star
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Calbee Jaga Pokkuru Okhotsk Sea Salt taste
Calbee Jaga Pokkuru is a popular snack produced by Calbee, one of Japan’s leading snack manufacturers. Manufactured at their Chitose factory in Hokkaido and primarily sold locally, it's become a beloved souvenir from Hokkaido. The name "Jaga Pokkuru" combines "jagaimo" (potato) with "Korpokkur," legendary fairy-like beings from Ainu folklore.
This is the scallop salt flavor, with an extra hint of seafood. I think it tastes even better than the regular version. It looks like this flavor is only available in Hokkaido, so if you come to Hokkaido, I definitely recommend buying some as souvenirs.
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Share Star Hakodate
This shopping center attracts people with its compact collection of modern and stylish stores. The first basement floor is MUJI’s “food specialty floor,” which features not only MUJI brand frozen foods and retort foods, but also some unique individual stores from the Hakodate area and Hokkaido, making it a perfect place to find Hokkaido souvenirs.
This is said to be the largest MUJI in Hokkaido, and it’s also the largest MUJI I’ve ever visited! It’s very convenient to get to, right next to the Goryokaku-Koen-mae tram stop. I originally thought I’d just browse around before going to Goryokaku, but once I went inside, I couldn’t stop. They really have everything, and the selection is so extensive that you’ll want to look carefully through every section. I had been searching for naan mix for a long time, and they actually had a huge amount of it here. I also finally found canvas sneakers in the right size, which I hadn’t been able to find anywhere else.
And it’s not just MUJI. There’s also a large, fun-to-browse Loft on B1, with a very complete selection of household goods, beauty products, stationery, accessories, and more. I had originally planned to spend only an hour here, but before I knew it, I had completely lost track of time. It took me about half a day to finally leave Share Star. A large part of what I spent during my few days in Hakodate went toward shopping here. If you already enjoy browsing MUJI and Loft, I really recommend adding this place to your Hakodate itinerary.
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LeTAO Otaru Main Store
Known for its "Fromage Double" cheesecake made from Hokkaido-produced fresh cream and carefully selected mascarpone cheese, this confectionery store in Otaru enjoys nationwide popularity. Located at the tourist-frequented Märchen Crossroads in Otaru, LeTAO Main Store opened in 1998. The store's name, meaning "Dear Tower of Otaru," is reflected in its impressive European-style exterior reminiscent of a large tower.
This place is best known for its Double Fromage cheesecake. The top layer is a light, melt-in-your-mouth cheese mousse, while the bottom is a dense, delicate cake. The combination of the two different textures gives it a lot of depth, and overall it's really good. It's perfect with black tea, which is smooth and not astringent, balancing the rich cheesecake nicely. The second floor is the dining area, and they also serve regular meals at lunchtime.
The first floor is a souvenir shop where you can sample cookies while browsing for souvenirs you like. They have a black tea chocolate sandwich cookie that I buy every time I visit. It's become my regular souvenir. If you come to Otaru, I really recommend setting aside some time at LeTAO for dessert and souvenir shopping!
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