A long time ago, in a place quite far, far away, there was an area of Japan so remote that the indigenous people called it sir etok; literally the end of the earth. Known today as Shiretoko, the peninsula at the northeastern tip of Hokkaido remains a place of untouched beauty, traversed by a unique population of brown bears.
So what does a visitor to the end of the earth bring back to the rest of civilisation as a reminder of the beauty and the bear? Given that live bears don’t act kindly to being captured, a cute alternative has popped up in miniature, edible form. Wrapped in a cosy doughnut ball, these little cubs are flying off the shelves like hotcakes. We bought a variety pack to take a closer look at what makes these adorable souvenirs so popular.
Produced by Shiretoko Factory, the variety pack retails online for 1,580 yen (US$16.20) through popular Japanese shopping site Rakuten.
The box contains five flavours: Hokkaido Milk, Hokkaido Pumpkin, Cocoa Chip, Choc Chip, and Salty Fresh Caramel.
In a nod to the local kuma (lit. bear), this particular brand of Shiretoko doughnut is called Kumagoron.
Each one is handmade using Hokkaido’s renowned high-quality milk and fresh cream. The company even uses honey fresh from the hive.
At last, free from its plastic packaging! In case you need some prodding to eat something this cute, keep in mind that these are not fried in oil but baked to fluffy perfection. Cute and healthy!
Delivered cold in a refrigerated truck, we let this baby thaw before eating. Cool to the touch, our little cub looked more like a sweet polar bear poking its head out from a snowy den!
Continuing with their attention to detail, each face is created by hand, giving every bear a unique character.
The company churns out 4,000 of these every day. That’s a lot of handiwork!
Moist and tasting surprisingly like delicious hotcakes, the doughnuts were sweet and satisfyingly dense. Just one was more than enough to fill us up!
If you’re ever in Tokyo, be sure to stop by the Shiretoko Factory store at Ueno station. You won’t be able to take home the famous pandas from Ueno Zoo but you’ll be able to take home the adorable pandas in doughnut form!
Photos © SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]
Giant “Ninja Bear” has been attacking dairy farms in Hokkaido for three years
Krispy Kreme releases tit doughnuts in Japan
The airport that’s practically a theme park — Shop, eat, play at the New Chitose Airport!
Ueno Park’s panda bread is just as warm, fluffy and cute as the pandas themselves 【Photos】
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Japanese high school closes its cafeteria, replaces it with a 7-Eleven convenience store
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Lawson opens a new mini supermarket, and the lucky bags can essentially stock your kitchen
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
American college student missing in Kyoto, last seen by family one week ago
Studio Ghibli adds new range of neckties to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
What’s it like to join Tokyo’s walking-and-talking-with-strangers club for a day?
Krispy Kreme releases a new Doughwich… at only one store in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Grated radish art from Japan brings the cute to your favourite dishes
Krispy Kreme releases Japanese fox doughnuts in Japan!
Japan’s cutest bird becomes a Krispy Kreme sakura doughnut for cherry blossom season
Super cute Rilakkuma, Totoro and cat macarons! Can you bear to bite into them? 【Pics & Video】
In search of Hokkaido’s unknown popular dish “gesodon”
Nagoya-based Japanese-sweets maker wows the Internet and customers with cute animal-themed manju
We tried “brain-flavored” zombie ramen from Hokkaido, with surprising results!
Sacrificing bears for amazing hotpots with Kuma-chan Onsen’s fukubukuro lucky bag
Visiting Hokkaido’s adorable and awesome Asahikawa rice paddy art【Photos】
Cute ekiben station bento looks like it’s from Japan but it’s from a different place entirely