
Here’s a hint, this fruity flavor comes before the cherry blossoms.
Morinaga Caramels are the perfect candy for when you’re craving something sweet, and their original packaging design from 1913 is a model case of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Over the years a number of different flavors have been added to the lineup, including azuki (sweet red beans) and matcha green tea. And of course, because they are a Japanese company, plenty of seasonal flavors have been rolled out over their 103-year history. However, on February 23, they released a brand new flavor called Nanko Ume!
▼ Also known as Nanko Plum!
Nanko ume are known as the best plums in all of Japan due to their excellent taste and texture. Usually these plums are used for high-quality umeboshi (pickled plums) or umeshu (plum wine), but this year these famous fruits get the added bonus of being a Morinanga Caramel flavor. These chewy treats, packed with nanko ume flavor, mix sour and sweet in perfect caramel harmony.
The packaging design also expertly fuses elements of spring with the classic Morinaga Caramel design Japanese sweet fans know and love. Each little box of joy will be 123 yen (US$1), so be sure to grab some from your local Japanese convenience store or candy aisle today. Like all seasonal products in Japan, when time runs out, you won’t be able to find them anymore!
Source: Entabe
Top image: Morinaga, Wakayama Prefecture Website (edited by RocketNews24)
Inset image: Morinaga


KitKat releases new Japanese plum flavor to celebrate Japan’s most beautiful winter flowers
Pizza Hut Japan’s pickled plum pizza is mercilessly aware of what it is【Taste test】
Japanese VTuber Usada Pekora’s new plum wine has a label drawn by Madoka’s character designer
New Ume Sake Japanese Kit Kat features the flavour of traditional plum wine…with a twist
Taste-testing McDonald’s Japan-exclusive caramel shakes【Taste test】
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death
A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up
Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Pizza Hut Japan creates Japanese plum pizza, calls it a “Japanese Margherita”【Photos】
New McFlurry from McDonald’s Japan offers swirls of caramel to make you dizzy with sweetness
It’s time to get a jump on beautiful pink blossoms at this forest garden in Japan【Photos】
McDonald’s Japan to sell caramel shakes in partnership with centuries-old confectionary brand
Like Japan’s plum blossoms, pickled plum and cheese tortilla chips are tragically fleeting
Japan’s plum blossom season is here, and after-dark garden is one of the best spots to see them
Hi-Chew candies get revamped into ice cream sweet treats just in time for summer
Hit Japanese candy Hi-Chew, famous for fruity taste, releases new flavor: Flavorless
Japan’s caramel gacha machines offer sweet thrills, but do they deliver?
Pizza Hut Japan’s caramel marshmallow pizza tastes great, but does it need hot sauce? We find out
Traditional Japanese candy gets fancy: Konpeito comes in wine, chocolate, and green tea varieties
Do Hi-Chew-flavor Hi-Chews have a reason to exist?【Taste test】
Sakura flower petal soda, other cherry blossom treats have us ready to hurry to Japan’s Pronto cafes
Buddha-shaped chocolates keep showing up in Japan, this time in Hiroshima