Have a Break

August is coming to an end, but according to the weather forecast, it looks like the hot weather will continue for a while longer. With this kind of heat, it’s easy to skip breakfast, so this summer I’ve been making sure to eat cereal every morning.

This cereal was on sale at my regular supermarket. It’s from a well-known snack manufacturer. The back of the package has various information about nutrition and how to eat it. And there it was—the trademark text printed in small letters.

When I searched for “Frugra” on the J-PlatPat patent information platform, I found various registrations, including not just the product name but also the surrounding design elements. They’re protecting their valuable rights.
(Swimmer)

https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/TR/JP-2003-106882/40/en
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/TR/JP-2022-106782/40/en

One of Nagoya’s classic souvenirs is “Morikuchi-zuke” from Yamatoya Moriguchi-zuke Souhonke, but the other day, I received a colorful small box of “Irodori.”

I received ‘kyuri’ (cucumber) and “uri” (melon) Nara-zuke. Both Moriguchi-zuke and Nara-zuke are pickles made by marinating vegetables in sake kasu (sake lees). However, Moriguchi-zuke is made using “Moriguchi daikon,” a long, slender radish native to Aichi Prefecture, marinated in sake kasu and mirin kasu (sweet rice wine lees). Nara-zuke, on the other hand, is made by marinating various vegetables such as cucumber, melon, and watermelon in sake kasu.

Moriguchi daikon is a traditional vegetable of Aichi Prefecture, with Fuso Town in Aichi Prefecture accounting for about 70% of national production. It is a variety of radish with a diameter of 3–4 cm, a length of 120–130 cm, and some reaching up to 180 cm, and is registered in the Guinness World Records as the longest radish in the world.

I had always found the unique alcoholic flavor of Moriguchi-zuke and Nara-zuke off-putting, but I was drawn in by the vibrant packaging and decided to give them a try. To my surprise, they were surprisingly easy to eat and delicious. I wondered if my taste buds had matured (laughs), but apparently honey is added. They are cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating and packaged in airtight containers to maintain freshness, which I also appreciated.

I was impressed by how traditional Japanese pickles have successfully adapted to the times and changing needs. I highly recommend giving them a try. The “Irodori” series also includes Moriguchi daikon, ginger, and bamboo shoots.

The distinctive design on the packaging, featuring the long, slender Moriguchi radish, is a registered trademark.
For inquiries regarding trademark registration, please contact Hattori & Partners here. (Syszo)

On July 28, 2025, “Chiikawa Park” opened in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
Chiikawa Park is an amusement facility themed around Chiikawa.

The information about this facility was made public about three months before the opening (at the end of April), but rumors had been circulating on social media since early April among fans.
Curious about how this information was discovered, I traced various posts and found that it was due to a trademark registration.

“Trademark?!” I was a bit surprised, but it made sense.
It seems that someone discovered the trademark “Chiikawa Park” (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6948243) on J-Plat Pat and speculated about it. Additionally, on the same day, a trademark application with Chiikawa’s illustration was filed, confirming that it is indeed Chiikawa. (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6948244)
While the designated goods or services do not specify an amusement facility, the name “Park” suggests it could be a park or amusement park.

Tickets for Chiikawa Park were distributed by lottery, so I applied, but unfortunately I was not selected. I plan to apply again if I get another chance.
Additionally, there was a lottery for a limited-time mobile Suica skin design to commemorate the opening, and I applied and won! It’s so cute! ♡

Chikawa Park Official Website : https://chiikawapark-tokyo.jp/en/

(Rabbit)

I got some McDonald’s to go. On the paper bag, there was a picture of Ronald throwing trash in the trash can with an R mark next to it.

I looked it up on J-PlatPat and found that this illustration itself was trademarked. (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 5625449, Rights Holder: McDonald’s International Property Company Limited, Registered in 2013)

The first trademark for Ronald’s illustration was filed in 1980 and is still in effect (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 1677689). Multiple trademarks have been registered for Ronald alone, with different poses.

Incidentally, the original English name of this mascot is Ronald McDonald, so it would be pronounced “Ronald McDonald” in English. However, since “Ronald” is difficult for Japanese people to pronounce, “Donald McDonald” was adopted. Japan McDonald’s recognizes both ‘Donald’ and “Ronald” as correct names. (Marron)

Reference URL (Japanese only): https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/cservice/list.ronald/ “About Donald”

It’s been really hot every day, hasn’t it?
For a summer snack, nothing beats a refreshingly chilled water yōkan.
The water yōkan from “Murasakiya,” a renowned Japanese confectionery shop in Nagoya, has a moist texture and just the right sweetness, making it easy to eat even when you’re not hungry.
Before you know it, the whole stick is gone.

I want to get through the hot summer by treating myself to something special.

The trademark “Murasakiya” is registered for “confectionery and bread” under Japanese Trademark Registration number 0527162, dated September 16, 1958.
(Sakuramochi)

In June, I attended the firm’s interaction session at the Toba International Hotel in Mie Prefecture. At Pearl Ocean Terrace, I was soothed by the view of the sea stretching out before me, the pleasant sea breeze, and the sound of the waves.

Among the attractive souvenirs in the hotel shop, I was captivated by the collaboration products featuring the Pokémon “Mijumaru (Oshawott).”
I vaguely knew that certain Pokémon collaborate with specific prefectures, but I didn’t realize that Mijumaru (Oshawott) (Japanese Registered Trademarks: No.5351424, No.5839685) had been appointed as the “Mie Support Pokémon” for Mie Prefecture. This is part of the “Pokémon Local Acts” initiative, where a “favorite Pokémon” is selected for each region to promote its charm both domestically and internationally. Through this initiative, the goal is to encourage more people to visit the region, thereby increasing the number of fans of both the region and Pokémon.

Additionally, the use of Pokémon in this initiative is free of charge, allowing many collaboration products to be sold as souvenirs, which likely contributes to the promotion of local specialty products. The ability to purchase region-exclusive Pokémon merchandise is also a major attraction.

These are souvenirs I purchased as mementos at hotels and shops in Toba City.

The “Isenomon Hand Towel” on the left is made from “Ise Momen,” a traditional craft designated by Mie Prefecture, and is manufactured by Usui Orimono. The company also holds the registered trademark rights (Japanese Trademark No.4971739) for Ise Momen.
I hope that such traditional crafts will continue to be cherished and preserved in the future.

By the way, the Toba International Hotel has a special “Mijumaru (Oshawott) Room” available in only one room! One of the perks is a “hidden Monster Ball search and gift service,” which is sure to get Pokémon fans excited! (Cacao)

※ “Pokémon” and “Mijumaru” are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak.

The other day, I visited Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture. At a souvenir shop, I heard a song that went, “Snow Salt Sandwich, Snow Salt Sandwich♪ Miyakojima Snow Salt Sandwich.” I thought it might be a snack made with “Snow Salt,” a famous Okinawan souvenir, so I picked it up. Sure enough, it was a product sold by Miyakojima Snow Salt Co., Ltd., which manufactures “Snow Salt.” The blue packaging featured the words “Snow Salt Sandwich,” and there were also other products in the series, such as “Snow Salt Finnan,” “Snow Salt Rasuku,” and “Snow Salt Parin.” All the products had blue boxes with the same hiragana font, making them easy to spot at a glance. The catchy song also stuck in my head, so I ended up buying a few as souvenirs.

The box also features illustrations of the product inside, making it easy to recognize at a glance. The hiragana product names also seem to attract foreign tourists, as I noticed many of them purchasing the items.

Among the series products, only “Snow Salt Sand” (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6827968) is trademarked. However, the names following “Snow Salt” in these products are all three syllables, easy to pronounce, visually memorable, and clearly indicate what the product is. Combined with the catchy song, I feel they are well-named. If you ever visit Miyakojima, I highly recommend giving them a try! (Chamomile)

Snow Salt Co., Ltd. Website (Japanese only)
https://www.yukishio.com/

Snow Salt Sweets product (Japanese only)
https://www.yukishio.com/products/sweets/

Snow Salt sandwich song (YouTube)