The brand new flavour tastes just like a famous local specialty from the prefecture.

In 2016, Kumamoto, on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, was devastated by a series of earthquakes which were so severe they damaged parts of the region’s historic 400-year-old castle. With a large number of local residents displaced and living in temporary housing after the disaster, Nestlé Japan was quick to lend a hand, joining forces with Kumamon, the region’s red-cheeked, black bear mascot, to boost morale and raise funds towards reconstruction in the area.

▼ Kumamon is one of Japan’s most beloved mascots.

The collaboration was an extension of Nestlé’s “Kitto Zutto Project” (“Sure to Continue Project”), which began supporting people in disaster-affected regions after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Following the disaster in Kumamoto, Nestlé came up with the idea for a Kumamon-branded “Kumamoto Tea” flavour Kit Kat, using local ingredients to help farmers, and last year they expanded the project with a yoghurt-flavoured Kit Kat to help a dairy damaged by a typhoon in Iwate Prefecture.

▼ The 2016 Kumamoto Tea Kit Kat raised 1.3 million yen (US$12,199.61) in funds.

Now they’re back with Kumamon at the helm for another Kit Kat release in aid of Kumamoto Prefecture, and this time the chocolate comes filled with the flavour of Ikinari Dango.

▼ Ikinari Dango (“Sudden Dumplings“) get their name from the fact that they’re so easy to make.

Kumamoto is famous for these palm-sized steamed sweet dumplings, which usually contain a big round chunk of sweet potato, covered in a red bean jam and wrapped in a thin layer of dough made from rice flour. The new limited-edition Kit Kats promise to deliver the same flavour of ikinari dango inside their famous chocolate-covered wafer bars.

There are four different package designs to collect, with 10 yen from the sale of each 11-piece pack going towards reconstruction in Kyushu’s Kumamoto region.

▼ Coy Kumamon

▼ “Itadakimasu!” (“Thanks for the food!”) Kumamon

▼ Hungry Kumamon

▼ Happy Kumamon

The same images of the black bear mascot appear on the individually wrapped bars inside each pack, with the addition of an adorable version showing him with his hands in the air, getting everyone excited for the new treat.

In 2016, it was estimated that it would take around 20 years and 60 billion yen (more than US$550 million) to fully restore Kumamoto Castle, so purchasing the new limited-edition Kit Kats is one way for us all to pitch in and help with the reconstruction efforts.

The Ikinari Dango Kit Kats will be available at stores nationwide from 2 April at a recommended retail price of 540 yen (US$5.06).

Source: PR Times
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