There was a long line at Hankyu Department Store in Umeda, so I made the right choice by stopping at the shop in Namba Takashimaya on the way back. There were no people waiting in line, so I bought Lemon Sugar, Matcha Sugar, Strawberry Sugar, and Black Tea Sugar. The aroma of Assam tea leaves is rich.

I have eaten this souvenir many times before. This time, I bought it as a souvenir: Walnut & Raisin and Maple & Cheese. I chose Maple & Cheese. It has a combination of the sweetness of maple and two types of cheese, Camembert and Gorgonzola. The sweet and salty combination is divine. The buttery aroma is great. It's been a while since I last had it, but it was still delicious.

"I unexpectedly thought this might be a good idea." That was my reaction when I purchased the Baton d'Or assortment box for White Day this time. In early March, as I was pondering what sweets to buy for White Day, I came across the Baton d'Or assortment box (cylindrical) that I found this time. This box contains the top 3 popular flavors at Baton d'Or - white strawberry, chocolate, and sugar butter - packed in a stylish cylindrical container with illustrated designs. While the option to choose 4 or 6 of your favorite flavors for the assortment box is available year-round, this stylish cylindrical box is a limited edition product available from Valentine's Day to White Day. Personally, I often purchase limited edition flavors, but this was the first time I noticed such a limited edition assortment. The choice of the top 3 flavors makes sense, and I think this kind of packaging design would be well-received, especially by young women. I am posting this article just before White Day. For those who have not yet prepared sweets for White Day and are still undecided, please consider this as a reference. Additionally, this cylindrical assortment box seems to have been offered in the past, and there is a high possibility that it will be available for sale in the future, so those who read this article after March 14th may consider purchasing it around this time next year.

I stopped by Takashimaya this weekend to receive offerings for a family funeral at my parents' house. Unlike in the past, these events have become more intimate and easier to prepare for, with just the immediate family involved. Instead of preparing offerings for the large extended family, we now only prepare offerings for our own family. This time, I chose a luxurious version of Glico's Pocky sticks, with flavors including the classic Sugar Butter, Pistachio & Almond, and Chocolate, packed in a box. I had the box wrapped with a dedication for the offering. When choosing items, we make sure to select things that we are interested in. We want to offer items that will last and be enjoyed, so I hope they will be pleased with the delicious treats.

I was considering Osaka souvenirs when I happened to find this one that seemed reasonable. It's available at Hankyu Umeda as well, so I was a bit hesitant, but oh well. It's Pocky after all, so I underestimated it, but it was surprisingly delicious... (-人-)

There is a Baton d'Or shop in the basement of Takashimaya in Namba. They have exclusive products for Kansai, such as Pocky with a luxurious packaging and taste, making it a great little souvenir for people from Kanto. They also have seasonal limited edition flavors, and right now they have chestnut and La France pear flavors. The chestnut flavor has a nice chestnut aroma and the pretzel part is also delicious.

"I thought that 'it might be the best ever without using chocolate' when I received the new products 'Maple & Cheese' and 'Walnut & Raisin' this time. I had previously tried a pretzel called 'Original' at the Baton d'Or store in Hankyu Umeda, which was thicker than other products and focused on enjoying the taste of the dough itself. However, when I visited the Takashimaya store in Namba on a different day, I found new products in the 'Taste of Wheat' series. The ones I purchased this time are 'Maple & Cheese' and 'Walnut & Raisin' in the 'Taste of Wheat' series. While 'Original' is all about savoring the taste of the dough and wheat itself, 'Maple & Cheese' and 'Walnut & Raisin' are variations that add sweetness, richness, and aroma. Specifically, 'Maple & Cheese' combines the elegant sweetness and aroma of maple with the subtle flavor and richness of Camembert or Gorgonzola, which pairs well with maple or honey. This would surely appeal to pancake lovers. On the other hand, 'Walnut & Raisin' can be described as a pretzel that embodies the familiar breakfast cereal, often enjoyed in the morning. While the nutritional value may vary, those who regularly enjoy cereal bars might find it nice to try this pretzel for a change. If we were to compare the 'Taste of Wheat' series to udon noodles, 'Original' would be like a simple yet satisfying plain udon or raw soy sauce udon, while 'Maple & Cheese' and 'Walnut & Raisin' could be likened to new genres of udon like carbonara-style kamatama or tantan udon. Both flavors are good, so if you're interested, please try the 'Taste of Wheat' that suits your taste."

"I found the perfect item for Takashimaya - rose-scented 'Pocky'. I always try to carry my own bag due to the charge for plastic bags, but when buying as a gift, I often request packaging that clearly shows where it was purchased. Many people may know that Takashimaya's packaging often features roses. I found the perfect limited edition item at 'Batondor' that suits Takashimaya - 'Batondor <Rose>'. It is a stick snack coated with chocolate flavored with roses. This was the first time I tried a stick snack with a floral scent, including the popular 'Pocky' found in supermarkets and convenience stores. When I tried it, the slightly bitter taste, the fragrant cocoa, and the elegant rose scent came through. I was initially unsure if a rose scent would go well with chocolate that is not white, but there was no discomfort, and the mild sweetness made it a taste for adults. Personally, I thought it could become a staple. Last year in 2020, when the traditional Japanese confectionery shop 'Toraya' collaborated with the popular French pastry shop 'Pierre Herme Paris' to release a 'Ispahan' wagashi with the flavors of rose, lychee, and raspberry, I was truly amazed. However, this rose-scented Pocky seems to be a more convenient version of that. This item is only available at Takashimaya in Osaka and Kyoto, as well as at 'Batondor'. If you live near Namba in Osaka or around Shimogyo Ward in Kyoto, or if you often visit these areas, I recommend giving it a try."

It could be said that this is a "Pocky beyond Pocky" - the luxury Pocky we received this time, which combines with fresh chocolate. "Baton d'Or" is a high-priced Pocky suitable for gifts, such as limited to stores or "La Recolte" over ¥1,000 per box. I often purchase it for home or souvenirs, but on this day, I found a Pocky in a super high price range, where one box with one stick costs ¥864 (tax included). The one I purchased this time is "Baton d'Or Lichee Doux." According to the explanation from the store, "Lichee Doux" means "rich and sweetly soft" in French, and this Pocky is said to be the world's first stick snack coated with fresh chocolate. I'm not sure if that's the case, but the volume may be slightly less than the typical bite-sized fresh chocolate. However, it has an elegant and rich taste that is not found in traditional Pocky, and I felt that it is a stick snack that allows you to easily enjoy a special sense of fulfillment. Also, the fact that the part you hold prevents your hands from getting dirty with fresh chocolate is also interesting. If you are looking for a special treat for yourself or a gift that conveys your dedication, please consider it.

There is a shop on the first floor of Takashimaya called Patondor, a specialty store for high-end Pocky. Patondor means "golden stick" in French. The golden sticks are made by baking dough with butter mixed in, and created with butter and sugar. I bought Milk Cool for 556 yen (excluding tax), Bitter Lemon Cool for 556 yen (excluding tax), and Caramelized Butter for 500 yen (excluding tax) to take home. The Milk flavor has a refreshing chocolate taste. The Bitter Lemon flavor has a refreshing lemon taste. The Caramelized Butter flavor has a sweet and fragrant buttery taste with a hint of saltiness.

This time, I went to the Namba area and purchased Baton d'Or at Takashimaya. The Sugar Butter flavor was sold out, which was a bit surprising. The seasonal limited edition flavor is Bitter Lemon, which is refreshing and perfect for summer as it needs to be refrigerated. The ice pack is good for up to 2 hours, but there was dry ice left until I got back to my home in Nagoya. I also bought the Strawberry, Umami Sugar, and Matcha Sugar flavors. They can be enjoyed until July.

I found Baton d'Or at the Takashimaya department store's food section. They have flavors like Sugar Butter, Sicilian Lemon, Orange Bitter, and the slightly expensive Rich Strawberry with Sakura, which is limited edition and ending soon. When I asked about the taste, they said it's white chocolate with a hint of cherry blossom flavor. It's a taste that allows you to enjoy the spring flavor and a subtle salty taste.

When I went to Osaka, one of the must-buy souvenirs is here. There are so many varieties to choose from, but I ended up getting the classic Sugar Butter, Purple Sweet Potato, and Apple Calvados for myself. I also bought one more each of Sugar Butter and Apple Calvados for my colleagues at work. The boxes are really luxurious. The Sugar Butter comes in a pack of 6, and the ones with coatings come in a pack of 4. They are definitely high-class and delicious! The buttery smell lingers on your fingers for a long time! They must be using a lot of butter in these. Each box costs around 500 yen, but when I searched on Amazon later, they were being sold for several times that price! Maybe because they are only available in the Kansai region, they have a special value. I found a great souvenir!

"I love strawberries, but this time I decided to go with this one." The Baton d'Or I purchased this time is a limited edition spring flavor featuring sakura (cherry blossom). This Baton d'Or is made with white chocolate infused with salted sakura leaves. If you look closely, you can see sakura leaf patterns dotted throughout the chocolate, resembling sakura flowers blooming on branches, giving it a spring-like feel. As for the taste, the sakura flavor and the richness of the white chocolate are complemented by a subtle hint of saltiness. Overall, the sweetness is also mild, making it easy to enjoy even for those who don't like overly sweet treats. I hope this information is helpful to you.

Located in Namba Takashimaya B1. I purchased here last month and it was well received as a souvenir, so I visited again this time! The limited-time flavors have changed to Rich Strawberry, Pistachio & Almond chocolates, and the soon-to-end Umami Sugar that I bought last time and was delicious (⌒▽⌒) They go well with both coffee and alcohol (laughs). The pretzel part is finely textured, making the texture great. I would like to visit again when I go to Osaka~ Thank you for the meal☆彡

Do you know about "Bâton d'or" by Ezaki Glico? It became quite a topic when it was first released, with long lines forming daily. In simple terms, it's like a "grown-up Pocky". It's a luxurious stick sweet that is a fancy version of Glico's iconic product, POCKY. The fact that they were selling it in department stores also caused a big stir. I had always been curious about it, but never felt like waiting in line to buy it. I thought maybe the popularity would die down eventually, and after a few years of waiting and forgetting about it, I suddenly remembered and bought it at Takashimaya Osaka. It was a weekday at 1:00 pm, and there were only two women ahead of me, so I could choose carefully. There were about 6 varieties to choose from, maybe more. I wanted to buy them all, but ended up choosing "Milk", "Chestnut", and "Sugar Butter". When I finally opened them at home, the first thing that struck me was the aroma. The rich scent of butter filled the air as soon as I opened the package. It was surprisingly fragrant, making me feel a little bit fancy just from the smell. The pretzels had a rich and flavorful taste, with butter made from clarified and fermented butter. They were all delicious, but my favorite was the "Sugar Butter". The "Milk" flavor used cocoa from Ecuador and was left to rest for a few days after coating the pretzels to bring out a smooth and glossy texture. The "Chestnut" flavor was a limited edition, with a strong chestnut flavor that spread throughout the mouth. The combination of pretzels and chocolate is a classic and foolproof one. The whole process of making them, including letting them rest, shows the care and effort put into them. I had always thought they were available in department stores nationwide, but it turns out they are only available in Western Japan! They would make a great gift for those living in Eastern Japan. They are a nice and casual gift option.

There is a shop in Namba Takashimaya B1. I visited right after opening because I had received a delicious souvenir before and wanted to buy some for my colleagues and myself. They only sell at Umeda Hankyu, Namba Takashimaya, Kyoto Takashimaya, and Hakata Hankyu, so it's quite rare. There are fewer chocolate products in the summer, but I bought three types of products including limited edition Yubari melon and bitter lemon. The regular products come in 6 pieces x 5 bags, and the limited edition chocolate products come in 4 pieces x 5 bags. They all have a fine pretzel part and are delicious. They go well with coffee and alcohol. I would like to buy them again if I have the chance. Thank you for the meal.

"I found this to be quite interesting." That was my thought when I received the onion-flavored Pretz this time. In the summer, "Pocky" with chocolate coating is usually more popular than Pretz with powdered sugar. However, this time, three new flavors were introduced - "Almond Sugar," "Sweet Onion," and "Cream Cheese Sugar." All of them had a sophisticated sweetness, but the one that left a lasting impression on me was the "Sweet Onion" flavor. I initially expected it to taste like the "Pretz Umami Salad" available at supermarkets and convenience stores, but it turned out to be like a refined French onion soup in Pretz form, which was surprising. In addition to these limited summer flavors, there are also Pocky flavors like Yubari Melon and Lemon, but if you're looking for a souvenir to take to someone far away, I believe Pretz would be easier to carry and store compared to Pocky. I hope this information is helpful to you.

Personally, I really like Baton d'Or and often receive it as a gift. This time, I purchased the flavors of black tea, strawberry & cranberry, and matcha & sweet summer orange. Black tea flavored snacks may not be that uncommon, but it was my first time trying black tea Pocky. Some snacks have a very artificial scent, but this one had an elegant impression. As for the strawberry & cranberry flavor and the matcha & sweet summer orange flavor, they are a step above with fruits and nuts mixed in. I could feel the fruity aroma and good texture, and personally, I found the combination of matcha and sweet summer orange to be particularly unique and memorable. By the way, this time I purchased the strawberry & cranberry flavor and the matcha & sweet summer orange flavor as gifts in addition to for myself, and the latter was packed in a special gift box. If you pay attention to the packaging, please take this into consideration.

During a stroll from Umeda to Namba, I visited this store. I bought sugar butter, milk, chestnut, rich strawberry, and La France, as I plan to see the illumination in Nakanoshima on the way back. I didn't want to shop too much this time. The butter seems to have a high butter content and has a nice aroma, making me feel like I got a good deal. Recently, the number of shops where you can purchase these items has increased, so the waiting time has become shorter. However, this Takashimaya store is advantageous because you can earn d POINTS. It's a good idea to buy here if you're purchasing the same items. You can also earn points when using a card for payment.