Two brands are making their debut at DAIMARU KOBE in the year's final Buyer's Selection event.
aoka, a newly launched Hokkaido brand that debuted in 2024, and Ramely, featuring popular caramel sweets from Hakata, will open limited-time pop-up shops.
These confections are perfect both as rewards for a year well spent and as gifts for homecoming visits during the New Year holidays.
Take this opportunity to enjoy treats from these two brands.
aoka
"That one bite makes us shine blue"
aoka means "us" or "you" in the Ainu language.
The brand creates confections with the wish that relationships with family, friends, lovers, and cherished ones will be as beautiful as the "blue scenery" shining in the northern land.
This new Hokkaido confectionery brand, which drew daily lines at DAIMARU SAPPORO in November 2024, makes its DAIMARU KOBE debut.
Enjoy the special bites that aoka brings.
"Caramel Chocolate Sand (4 pieces)"
¥1,640 (tax included)
The Caramel Chocolate Sand, born in Hokkaido's great nature, features 10mm-thick chocolate sandwiched between langue de chat cookies kneaded with Hokkaido-produced fresh caramel sauce.
This baked confection offers rich flavors that layer the tastes of caramel and chocolate.
The treats can be carried at room temperature and come with a best-before date of at least 40 days, making them ideal as gifts.
"Raisin Butter Sand (1 piece)"
¥411 (tax included)
Juicy and sweet-and-sour raisins infused with the rich aroma of Jamaican rum are combined with smooth and rich-flavored butter cream, then sandwiched between sablé cookies with a delicate, crumbly texture. Enjoy the perfect harmony of these three elements.
"Caramel Langue de Chat (Can)"
¥3,900 (tax included)
To allow full enjoyment of the crispy texture of caramel-flavored langue de chat, the cookies are packed tightly into a can with no gaps. The can, featuring the endless blue sky of Hokkaido as a motif, makes it fun to think about uses for the container after finishing the langue de chat.
Ramely
Ramely, a caramel-based sweets brand with a shop in Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, makes its first appearance at DAIMARU KOBE.
Ramely's appeal lies in its treats that combine the bittersweet taste of bitter caramel with the elegant aroma of tea. It provides moments of bliss that make you shine.
The brand operates only one directly-managed store, making this a rare opportunity to purchase in the Kansai region.
"Caramel Galette"
4 pieces: ¥1,080 (tax included)
8 pieces: ¥2,160 (tax included)
This galette features aromatic dough topped with caramel that spreads a rich Earl Grey fragrance.
Enjoy moments of bliss created by the light, crispy texture of the galette and the smooth, rich texture of the caramel.
"Caramel Cake"
¥2,000 (tax included)
This special treat features caramel batter enriched with deep richness from milk chocolate, gently enclosing melting bitter caramel, topped with caramel sauce that spreads an Earl Grey aroma. The rich flavors create special moments of bliss.
