New “Bunny Autumn Festival” collection celebrates the rabbit in the moon with sweet design details. 

As we enter September, people across the nation are beginning to take notice of the encroaching night sky and the beauty of the moon, which appears particularly bright at this time of year. The moon-gazing culminates in Tsukimi (literally “moon-viewing“), a cultural event that occurs around the time of the autumn full moon – this year the date is 25 September – and over at Starbucks, the celebrations have begun with a brand new Tsukimi collection.

Called “Bunny Autumn Festival“, the range taps into another celestial-related belief – that the markings on the moon look like a rabbit pounding rice. If you’ve ever held that image in your mind while gazing at the moon in Japan, you’ll see how the markings really do look more like a rabbit as opposed to a “man on the moon”, and it’s a beautiful way for companies like Starbucks to give moon-viewing goods an extra dash of cuteness.

The new range centres around the idea of a family of rabbits joyously celebrating the harvest festival, playing with mooncakes on a moonlit night. Though mooncakes aren’t commonly eaten here as they are in other parts of Asia, they add colour and cuteness to the collection while celebrating the moon that shines down on us all.

▼ The collection begins with the Stainless Steel To-Go Bottle, Rabbit Ivory – 473 millilitres (16 ounces) – 5,350 yen (US$33.42)

Shaped like a giant Starbucks cup, this stainless steel bottle features a locking lid for leak-proof peace-of-mind. The lid opens easily by pressing the button down and sliding it to the right.

The double-walled vacuum-insulated stainless steel construction provides excellent heat and cold retention, while the bunnies on the front provide excellent cuteness.

▼ Stainless Steel Tumbler with Replacement Lid, MiiR Rabbit Navy, 473 millilitres – 5,900 yen

The deep navy colour, reminiscent of the night sky, serves to highlight the rabbits, which can be seen leaping playfully across the bottom of the tumbler.

This item also boasts double-walled vacuum-insulated stainless steel construction, and is produced in collaboration with MiiR, a premium Seattle-based drinkware brand.

▼ Cold Cup Tumbler – 710 millilitres 3,050 yen

This product brings an air of sophistication to the range, with a starry, textured surface that catches the light, creating a beautiful, sparkly shine.

▼ The large 710-millilitre size allows you to enjoy more of your favourite beverage for longer.

▼ Cold Cup Tumbler, Rabbit Navy – 710 millilitres 2,700 yen

▼ This beautiful design features a full moon, with rabbits racing around it, against a dark night sky.

The removable lid makes this one particularly easy to clean, and like the three other items above, it comes with a free drink ticket.

▼ Stainless Steel Mug, Rabbit Coral Pink – 473 millilitres 4,200 yen

Those who prefer to drink Starbucks from a mug will be able to opt for this stylish stainless steel design, which features a wonderfully serene moment, with three bunnies gathered together under a golden moon.

▼ Double-walled vacuum insulation, and a removable lid to keep your drink hot, or cold, for longer.

Rounding out the collection are a couple of bear-y cute gifts, featuring the chain’s Bearista character.

▼ Bearista Message Gift (with drink ticket) 1,650 yen

▼ For this outing, the Bearista is dressed up in an adorable bunny costume.

The Bearista has magnets concealed in both hands, which allows it to hold the message card drink ticket firmly in place for premium presentation.

▼ It also has a loop between its ears so you can attach a keychain and use it as a charm.

The drink ticket itself is also beautifully designed, with golden embossed print and three cute rabbits under the green mermaid, surrounded by stars like a Starbucks moon.

▼ Completing the set is a gift bag so cute you’ll want to gift it to yourself.

▼ Beverage Card (with drink ticket) 750 yen

Shout someone a drink with the assistance of the sweet rabbit family, appearing on a coral-pink card that captures the fun and cosiness of moon-viewing season.

With so many different products at different price points, you don’t have to spend a lot to join the fun of moon-viewing at Starbucks this year. You’ll have to act like a bunny and jump quick, though, as the range became available online on 1 September, and at Starbucks stores on 2 September, and is only available in limited numbers while stocks last.

Source: Press release
Featured image: Press release
Insert images: Starbucks Japan (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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