Kit Kat (noun, masculine): a crispy wafer with a biscuit flavor, coated in smooth chocolate. Do you love these treats? Take advantage of your trip to the archipelago to play the... Willy Wonka and create the Kit Kat of your dreams at Kit Kat Chocolatory!
A brief history of Kit Kat, from England to Japan
Launched in northern England in 1935 under the name "Chocolate Crisp," the chocolate bar was quickly nicknamed "Kit Kat," a nickname that became the brand name in 1937. The wafer was exported to Japan in 1973 and enjoyed almost immediate success due to the similarity of its name (キットカット). kitto katto) with the Japanese expression "« Kitto Katsu きっと勝つ «", which means "You will definitely succeed!".
Quickly won over by this phonetic nod, the Japanese made Kit Kat a symbol of encouragement, given to schoolchildren and students before a test, exam, competition, or job interview. The brand even partnered with the Japanese postal service: it was possible to write the address of the person you wanted to wish good luck to on a Kit Kat box displayed at the post office counter and hand it directly to the postal worker! The treat thus almost became an ema (絵馬), those small plaques...wooden urns on which prayers or wishes are inscribed that the’
Hundreds of 100% Japanese flavors
Building on its success, Kit Kat has also been able to ride the wave of omiyage (お土産) culture to become THE must-have treat to bring back from a trip to Japan.
Almost every region has, at one time or another, highlighted its emblematic scent: the momiji manju of Hiroshima, the azuki (red bean) of Hokuriku in Kanto, the strawberry of Tochigi or the sweet potato of Okinawa.
On the archipelago, the candy has been produced in more than 300 (!!) flavors since the brand's establishment, some being produced regularly, others being local editions.The flavors are seasonal and/or unique. While some are quite classic (cappuccino, sake, matcha, or strawberry), others are more daring: edamame (green soybeans), wasabi, or even soy sauce. A real treat for the taste buds!
Photos: https://nestle.jp/brand/kit/product/
In the shoes of Willy Wonka
With its exclusive flavors, the famous brand owned by the Swiss giant Nestlé has won the hearts (and stomachs) of both Japanese and foreigners. As a result, there are eight Kit Kat Chocolatory stores across Japan, offering, among other things, a selection of premium Kit Kats, exclusive desserts, and coffee and chocolate treats.
In 2020, the brand new Kit Kat Chocolatory opened its doors in the Miyashita Park shopping center – much to our delight! Not only is this shopping center located in Shibuya, just minutes from the school, but it's also the only one to offer a creation workshop open to the public!
Photo: https://nestle.jp/brand/kit/chocolatory/information/2020/8-4_shibuya.php
In this workshop, you can create the Kit Kat of your dreams. Choose from 4 types of chocolate and 17 different toppings and let your imagination run wild to create a delicious, personalized souvenir!
To participate, simply arrive at the venue when it opens (11:00 AM) and select your preferred time slot (11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM, or 7:30 PM). The session lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, and the number of participants is limited to 6. The cost is 2000 yen, or about 16 euros, to enjoy this experience.
Photo: https://nestle.jp/brand/kit/chocolatory/information/2020/8-4_shibuya.php
