Do you know what today is in Japan? -- 11/11

What is today? It is "Pocky & Pretz Day" in Japan!

November 11 is Pocky & Pretz Day every year in Japan. Both are popular stick snacks sold by Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. 

http://pocky.glico.com/1111/

Pretz is flavored with salt while Pocky is chocolate coated. Pretz is named after pretzel which is a crisp biscuit originated in Germany. 

Tips: when you see サラダ味, it means flavored with salt (and salad oil).

A box of two packs.

Handy.

Pocky was developed from Pretz: actually plain Pretz coated with chocolate as a substitute for salt.

 

Pretz                         →                         Pocky

Additionally, Pocky is snapped when you eat and it sounds "pokkin". That's why it was named Pocky and has been loved for almost 50 years.

This is the Pocky sold only in winter: covered with cocoa powder.

Also a box of two packs. This winter only Pocky is shorter than common Pocky.

A part of stick is not coated with chocolate in order to be able to eat without soiling your hands. 

Their stick shape resemble the number 1. That's why Pocky & Pretz Day was started on 11/11, the 11th year of Heisei Era (1999).

Other flavors I bought today at Family Mart (Japanese convenience store) .

By the way, I'm already starting to forget about that this blog about Kyoto's AREKORE...haha

Speaking of Kyoto, there is Matcha flavored Pocky! 

Quoting from:Travel.jp (http://guide.travel.co.jp/article/9141/)

This is sold only the Kinki Region including Kyoto, and Giant Pocky. It is one-and-half times as long as common Pocky. This will be good souvenirs of Kyoto for your families and friends! 

Here is a commercial of Pocky. The dance by the guys of the third J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (Japanese popular boy band) is unique.

See you next time!