We’ve been busy recently with a whole bunch of projects in multiple industries, hence the serious lack of blogging here.
However, during one trip to my favorite section of the supermarket I came across a drink combining the Japanese consumer (and manufacturer’s) love of limited edition goods and the current history boom.
We’ve written before about the “Ryoma industry” spawning tourist millions for the samurai’s home province of Tosa (Kochi, in Shikoku), and a whole host of merchandise, including even golf clubs. Ryoma Sakamoto is big business, even if some of the cash-in goods hardly smack of imagination.
With the NHK drama that started it all finally nearing its inevitably assassination-filled finale, manufacturers are getting desperate to squeeze the last yen out of the trend. Sapporo previously released a Ryoma-inspired edition of its Black Label beer in south Japan last spring. Following its apparently massive popularity, now drinkers across Japan have been given the chance to get their hands on cans of (presumably slightly mediocre) beer, dressed up in autumnal colors and manga-esque motifs of the famous revolutionary.
The “Oi! Ryoma!” beer uses images from a manga comic about Sakamoto and is only available while stocks last. Be sure to fight off the shogun’s forces to get yours before it’s too late!
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