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 5 Asian Horror Games To Make Your Halloween Extra Frightening

Halloween is basically upon us, so today I bring you a bit of a different post from my usual ones to set the right mood. I have a weird relationship with horror films—just like with chocolate, haha—I’m generally not a big fan but I’ll still watch them from time to time. The same goes for video games… You’ll never find me play one—I’m genuinely too scared—but I won’t hide that I like watching others play them.

Since horror video games set in Asia are quite popular at the moment, I’ve decided to compile a short list of Asian horror games to make your Halloween extra frightening!

Parasocial 

I’d like to start this list with a bone-chilling horror made by Japanese developer Chilla’s Art. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because they’ve made games such as The Karaoke, The Closing Shift, and The Convenience Store.

The game I’m mentioning today is Parasocial (パラソーシャル), a psychological horror game which explores the dark side of live streaming as a VTuber. What makes it terrifying is the fact that the themes examined could very easily happen in real life. Forget about scary monsters and horrifying creatures, being aware that someone constantly watches your every move and could harm you in the blink of an eye is far more petrifying.

The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation

Next on my list is the Taiwanese The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation, a first-person supernatural horror about the legend that haunts Tunghu University.

If you think you’ve heard of The Bridge Curse before, it’s because this game is based on real-life events in Tunghai University, Taiwan. Explore the Campus grounds and try to survive the horrors this curse has unleashed upon you. Will you be able to break the curse before it’s too late?

Fun fact: a film with the same title (The Bridge Curse) was released on Netflix in 2020, and it’s pretty spooky… A perfect addition to your Halloween night fun, don’t you think?

Welcome to Kowloon

Continuing my list of Asian horror games to make your Halloween extra frightening, from Taiwan we travel to China with a first-person indie horror called Welcome to Kowloon.

Once the most densely populated city with a tangle of narrow streets and endless passageways, now the buildings are merged into one indistinguishable sea of iron, concrete, and glass, their backstreets and cramped alleyways full of mystery and terrible hidden secrets.

I suppose games where you have to escape from something/someone scare me the most, which is why I picked Welcome to Kowloon for this list.

Home Sweet Home

Let’s now fly to Thailand with a first-person horror adventure based on Thai myths and legends, Home Sweet Home.

While searching for his missing wife, the protagonist finds himself in an unknown place hunted by terrifying creatures. If you fancy your games to come with a side of gore, then Home Sweet Home is the perfect game for you, especially for this Halloween.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, I do occasionally watch others play horror video games, but gore is where I draw the line. I won’t be watching the gameplay, nor the Netflix series, thank you very much.

Night Security

We’ve come full circle, and my list of Asian horror games to make your Halloween extra frightening concludes in Japan—just as it started—with another bone-chilling horror game by Chilla’s Art, Night Security (夜間警備).

Make sure you complete your objectives for each floor, but beware the strange occurrences that befall the building you’re supervising… Without giving too much of the story away, I like the way they take inspiration from everyday cultural aspects and add sinister horror elements to make the story ominous and really scary.

🎮🎮🎮

Our trip exploring 5 Asian horror games to make your Halloween has sadly come to an end, I hope you enjoyed it! Have you played any of these games? Let me know in the comments how you are spending your Halloween!

次回まで。♥

 Book Review: In Ghostly Japan by Lafcadio Hearn

I first came to hear of Lafcadio Hearn during my visit at the “Fantasmi e Spiriti del Giappone” exhibition, as the tales depicted in Benjamin Lacombe's book are inspired by Hearn’s stories. Today, I will be sharing my impressions of Hearn's book In Ghostly Japan. 

*I have received a free ebook copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, please note that this doesn’t affect my opinion of the book, nor my personal thoughts.

In Ghostly Japan by Lafcadio Hearn - Book Info

In Ghostly Japan is a collection of fourteen stories about the spirits of the dead, and the spirits of the living, offering a captivating—yet ghoulish—window into Japan's supernatural and spiritual world.

I’ve been really eager to read any of his works since then, however, I did not enjoy In Ghostly Japan as much as I thought I would. Personally, I thought the book was more heavily inclined to the spiritual—rather than the supernatural—which I suppose it’s why I had a difficult time getting through some of the stories. I also unfortunately had to skip a couple because I just couldn’t connect with what I was reading at all. A shame, really. 

However, some of the stories were really frightening, and I did enjoy them quite a bit. Furisodé, for example, tells the tale of a haunted kimono (and it reminded me a lot of a Japanese horror film with a very similar story, except it was about a doll), and it was quite eerie. A Passional Karma was indeed petrifying, and Ingwa-Banashi was purely spine-chilling. 

Even though I had a tough time with some of the more spiritual stories, I’m glad I was given the opportunity to read In Ghostly Japan.

Have you read this book or plan to read it? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and if you have a favourite story among them.


Manga Review: That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside Vol. 1

It’s been a really long time since I read a manga. However, I recently decided to get back on track and be active on NetGalley again, and this manga caught my eye immediately. I mean with a title like That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside, how could I not be interested? 

*I have received a free ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, please note that this doesn’t affect my opinion of the book, nor my personal thoughts.

That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside Vol. 1 - Manga Info

I’m so glad I made up my mind and trusted my instinct, because this read was awesome! If a manga makes you pick it up just by the title—and no other info whatsoever—you know it’s gonna be a good one. 

I related a lot to Yohei—due to some personal experiences—and, the more I read his story, the more I understood his struggles and his desire to change his life, as it’s something I’m currently going through myself. I suppose another reason I sympathised with Yohei a lot is also because he is an adult, so I felt even closer to his character. He’s in his mid-thirties, newlywed, and unhappy with his life, so much that he’s considering leaving the bustling city for the quiet countryside. He’s really someone to admire, in my opinion.

One thing that made me happy was the array of great supporting characters right from the get-go. His wife Miyu, for starters… She’s a professional cosplayer and very supportive of her husband, how can you not adore her? It almost feels like those Studio Ghibli films where a city family moves to the countryside due to circumstances and all the people there are very welcoming, helpful, and supportive. I’m looking forward to seeing what other interesting characters this cool couple will come across next!

Definitely recommended, That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside will show you hope is not lost even if you’re going through a difficult time in your life, and that you should never give up finding what truly makes you happy.
Storie di Donne Samurai: Gate to the Hidden Sanctuary*

By now you should know how fond I am of samurai and the history behind them, so how could I not be extremely excited to attend another Tenoha Milano exhibition (with free access as press)—this time focused on Benjamin Lacombe's new book "Storie di Donne Samurai"?

Please join me as we travel back to ancient Japan to explore a hidden sanctuary, and experience an unforgettable multi-sensory journey… Are you ready to cross the gate with me?

The Exhibition

Give it to Tenoha to create a memorable event with its stunning visuals! If their previous exhibition “Fantasmi e Spiriti del Giappone” was really good, the design for “Storie di Donne Samurai” was absolutely fantastic. It truly felt like walking through a forest in ancient Japan. What I really liked about their interactive experiences is that, despite having completely different structures, in my opinion they still possessed some sense of similarity.

The long journey is filled with comfortable rest areas

Let me explain. In “Fantasmi e Spiriti del Giappone”, you crossed the Red Bridge and you had to walk along a precise path because the rooms and interactive experiences were set in a certain order. However, in "Storie di Donne Samurai" there was no strict path and visitors could freely roam the exhibition grounds in whichever order they wanted. Personally, I still felt like I should follow a certain order, which is why I mentioned they seemed similar although different. 

I was lucky enough to pick a time-slot where there weren’t many people around, so I was able to enjoy my nature walk without the place being too crowded, while taking lots of pictures and videos, and I got the chance to have a mini photo-shoot with some of the props available to all visitors! (don’t forget to check out my Instagram!)

The Noble Female Warriors

As the title suggests, the exhibition was focused on and portrayed the stories of the onna-bugeisha—women samurai—who had a significant impact on Japanese history and culture.

The courageous samurai women featured in this exhibition

Not only could you learn about their stories thanks to the enchanting illustrations—located throughout the exhibition grounds—by French artist Benjamin Lacombe, but you could also have a closer look at these courageous women and their tragic stories thanks to entire rooms dedicated to them. 

Women such as Tomoe Gozen, who was a skilled archer and whose story influenced several generations of samurai. Or Yamamoto Yaeko, whose help during the Boshin war earned her the nickname Nightingale of Japan.

Gift Shop Galore

Unlike last time—where I left my purse in a locker at the entrance and wasn’t able to buy anything from the pop-up gift shop—I planned ahead and put my wallet in a tote bag I brought and got quite a few things (that I wouldn’t have been able to purchase in the Tenoha shop). Obviously I couldn’t leave without the book—which contains a special signed print—but I also got a couple of buttons, some postcards, and a bookmark. Don’t these look absolutely stunning? *insert dreamy face*

My shopping haul, full of gorgeous items!

If you’re wondering what that rectangle-shaped thing at the bottom is, it's called Goshuin Book. If you’re familiar with Japanese culture, you’ll recognise this as a lot of train stations in Japan have a corner where you can get your book stamped. It’s really fun to collect stamps, so of course I had to do that as well! It kinda felt like recording a memento of my experience of this exhibition, so I’m really glad I did that. 

The Goshuin book at the "Storie di Donne Samurai" exhibition

Overall, this has been an amazing experience, and I strongly recommend anyone with an interest in Japanese culture to visit this exhibition as soon as possible. It will remain open until the end of November, so make sure you don’t miss this opportunity! 

Thank you, once again to Tenoha Milano for the chance to attend this excellent Japanese interactive experience!

The exhibition "Storie di Donne Samurai" will be open until November 26th, 2023. Book your tickets here.

次回まで。♥
Book Review: The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu

Since I became passionate about Japanese culture, I’ve been interested in Lady Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji for quite some time, so I’m really glad I was finally able to read it. 

*I have received a free ebook copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, please note that this doesn’t affect my opinion of the book, nor my personal thoughts.

The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu - Book Info

Written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji is an iconic piece of Japanese Literature, this book the very first translation in English by Kencho Suematsu. As explained in Suematsu’s introduction, the original work of Genji Monogatari—the Japanese title—is composed of fifty-four chapters, whereas this version contains the first seventeen. 

I’ll admit that it took me a little bit to get used to the way the story was told—in reference to some terminology, and the conversations in verses—however, soon I was enamoured with this tale. The many footnotes not only certainly helped me understand some of the terminology, they also gave me interesting insights into how life in the Imperial Court in Heian Japan worked, providing an explanation on customs, clothing, as well as piquing my interest in Chinese poetry (often mentioned throughout the story) and art. The political intrigues, the secret romances, and the travels reminded me a lot of the Korean period dramas I like to watch, so it was easy for me to picture what I was reading, and soon, I was really invested in the life of Prince Genji. Obviously life at court is not all rainbows and unicorns—well, life in general isn’t either—so I felt for Genji through his difficult moments, and I can’t deny I favoured certain characters over others. It’s a shame I’m not able to read the rest of the story, as I’d be curious to know if there is any change of style (it is said that the last ten chapters or so were written by somebody else), or if it’s noticeable at all. 

Forbidden romances, political intrigues, and secret progeny make The Tale of Genji the perfect book to add to your Japanese literature collection.
ZenPop Japanese Stationery Box - Edo Art Aesthetic*

Today is a very special day for different reasons—which I'll get to in a moment—so I wanted to celebrate with a different ZenPop post!

ZenPop Japanese Snack Box - Summertime Snacks*

Sunscreen? Check. Beachwear? Check. A new Japanese snack box full of delicious and refreshing treats by the one and only ZenPop? Absolutely check!! 

They've been so kind to *sponsor* this blog post, and sent me a free Japanese Snack Box to review. Are you ready? Let's go!

Each Snack Box includes:

  • New and trendy snacks from Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores
  • Popular instant noodles and beverages
  • Candy and gummies unique to Japan
  • Indulgent sweets like chocolates, cookies, or wagashi
  • A variety of salty and savory snacks to delight and surprise you
  • At least a dozen or more new things to try in every box!

The theme for the August 2023 box is Summertime Snacks: Summertime in the beautiful Japanese inland sea is all about beach fun and relaxing in hammocks with a projector, watching our favorite anime releases. It's the ultimate setup for a perfect night! By the way, have you caught up with the latest season of Kimetsu no Yaiba? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

I'm so ready to enjoy Summer and the deliciousness ZenPop has brought along! (Well, I can see the snacks are already enjoying the sunny beach 😜)

LIABOM_Ramen-Orange-Palettie-Rollcake

    • Sugomen Wakayama Chuka Soba from Yamadai: Why not enjoy the essence of Japanese summer through the Kansai prefecture? That's what I got to experience with this Sugomen Wakayama Chuka Soba! The soup—made with the renowned "Kurasho Taru-jikomi" from Yuasa Soy Sauce Co. Ltd—had the extra flavour kick I needed to savour this dish despite the hot weather.
    • Tsubumi Orange from Sangaria: This was such a refreshing drink! It tasted like tangerine juice and, although I normally don't like my juice with bits in it, I did on this occasion. It's definitely a much needed beverage during this hot Summer!
    • Palettie Hyuganatsu Cheese Cake from Fujiya: I truly enjoy bite-sized snacks and I enjoy cheesecakes, so this lemon-y treat didn't go unnoticed. It was made with the finest HyugaNatsu Peel sourced from the west side of Japan, and the citrus flavour had just the right amount of balance with the cream cheese, making the taste very soft.
    • Rollcake Butter Cream Flavor from Yaokin: This delectable roll cake was very fluffy and delicious, with a delightful butter cream filling sandwiched between layers of soft dough. Yaokin certainly knows my food weaknesses. Well done, Yaokin; well done.

    LIABOM_Amijaga-Kobe-Onigiri-Mikan

      • Mini Amijaga Umashio Flavor from Tohato: Although ZenPop knows how to entice me with sweet treats, I generally prefer salty treats, and these cutely shaped potato chips were truly a delight! The umashio flavour was quite strong, but that's probably why I enjoyed them a lot more than all the potato snacks ZenPop has bestowed upon me so far. 
      • Pride Potato JAPAN Kobe Beef from Koikeya: These potato chips were indeed a pride! As soon as I opened the package, I was surrounded by a wonderful meaty aroma and, to be honest with you, if this Kobe beef (which meets the highest standards among the renowned "Tajima Beef" produced in Hyogo Prefecture) smells and tastes like that, I really can't wait to try this delicacy for real! Definitely a symphony of flavors for my taste buds!
      • Onigiri Senbei from Masuya: You know I can't resist a senbei, especially if it's as good as this Onigiri Senbei from Masuya! I had the pleasure of trying it the first time in the Snack Revelation box and, since I loved it so much, I'm so glad it made another appearance! 
      • Mikan Chan from Kawaguchi Seika: Mandarin oranges are one of my favourite fruits, I'm so glad I got to taste them in the form of candy! And how could I not enjoy these fruity treats when they're shaped like a whole peeled mandarin orange, and the package looks so adorable? 

      LIABOM_Coconut-Sapporo-Tabekko-Umaibo

        • Coconut Sable Mini Suppai Ano Koi no Aji from Cisco: Sadly this was a bit of a miss. The sour taste was too overpowering in my opinion, and I barely tasted the coconut. 
        • Mini Sapporo Potato Tsubutsubu Vegetable from Calbee: I got to try this amazing snack in the Snack Sledge box first, and I'm so happy it came back, even if it's a smaller version. And, just like last time, I wasn't able to identify the seven different vegetables. Everything was delicious, though! 
        • Tabekko Doubutsu Coconut Milk from Ginbis: If the coconut biscuits from Cisco were a little miss, these Tabekko Doubutsu Coconut Milk from Ginbis were a big one. Unfortunately I did not like them at all. I do enjoy the flavour of coconut occasionally, but roasted coconut was too much for me. One thing I did like, though, was the fact that the biscuits were shaped like an animal, and had the name stamped on each biscuit. That was cute and cool.
        • Umaibo Sugar Rusk Flavor from Yaokin: My relationship with this treat from Yaokin has had its ups and downs, but I think it's time to take it to the next level. It's super safe to say that Umaibo Sugar Rusk was my absolute favourite snack of this box. ZenPop is often saying how certain snacks should bring back childhood memories (or memories from the past), but I've never truly understood the feeling because I wasn't born in Japan and I've never had any of those snacks. Well, I never truly understood until now. Rusks are quite a common snack in Italy, whether you have them for breakfast or as an afternoon treat. I remember as a child, we used to have a slice of bread with butter and sugar on top as a snack. With one bite of this Umaibo, it was like I was suddenly transported back in time. I swear it was the strangest feeling, the taste of the buttery rusk had all the memories of having that treat as a child rushing back to me. 

        LIABOM_Swiss-Pudding-Jelly-Hiehiekko

          • Swiss Baum from Taisyo Seika: I like peanuts, so how could I not enjoy this heavenly treat? The creamy texture was quite the treat, too bad there was only one!
          • Hiroshima Lemon Jelly from Ace: Surprisingly, I enjoyed these Hiroshima Lemon Jelly treats a lot more than I thought I would. Just like grape, I'm not too fond of lemon flavour, but these jellies were an absolute delight! I wish I could have had an entire bottle of lemon soda so it could've lasted a bit longer! 
          • Hiehiekko Gum from Marukawa Seika: I always enjoy the gums ZenPop adds in its boxes, especially because I rarely eat them otherwise—I'm normally not a gum girl. I certainly had a cool and refreshing experience with Marukawa Seika Hie Hiekko Gum, although I probably give it to the fact that it tasted like ramune. 😋 
          • Petit Pudding Jelly Custard Flavor from Kinjo: This Kinjo Petit Pudding Jelly Custard Flavor was such a yummy treat! I like custard snacks a lot, so I definitely enjoyed this!

          LIABOM_Apple-Peanuts-Gumidy

            • Apple Soda Gummy from Yaokin: This was a slight miss, mostly because I am not a fan of apple cider (or anything that has to do with apples in general, hehe) I did enjoy the fizz, though! 
            • Honey Peanut from Toyo Nuts: I like peanuts—like we've established—so these Honey Peanuts from Toyo Nuts were truly delicious, The sweetness of the honey was quite soft, which blended perfectly with the saltiness of the nuts, making this the perfect combination of sweet and salty (and my favourite, I might add).
            • Gumidy Yogurt Flavor from Kanro: Candies with a gummy inside are always a fun treat to have at hand, and the yogurt flavour was quite interesting. So glad there were two! 

            🏖️🏖️🏖️

            I really enjoyed this Summertime Snack box, I was worried I wouldn't enjoy it because of the citrus-y treats, but I actually did. 
            Get $5 off your first box by using the code MOCHI5 at checkout!
            What are your favourite go-to snacks during Summer? Let me know in the comments! 

            次回まで。♥

            ZenPop Japanese Snack Box - Matsuri Munchies*

            It's Matsuri season! If you—like me—aren't able to experience a Matsuri festival, don't worry, because ZenPop made sure that we're able to enjoy this aspect of Japanese culture with the delicious snacks in this month's box! 

            They've been so kind to *sponsor* this blog post, and sent me a free Japanese Snack Box to review. Are you ready? Let's go!

            Each Snack Box includes:

            • New and trendy snacks from Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores
            • Popular instant noodles and beverages
            • Candy and gummies unique to Japan
            • Indulgent sweets like chocolates, cookies, or wagashi
            • A variety of salty and savory snacks to delight and surprise you
            • At least a dozen or more new things to try in every box!

            The theme for the July 2023 box is Matsuri Munchies: Ready for Festival seasons? Celebrate the Japanese way with a tasty selection of snacks shipped directly from Osaka to you! Everything from a refreshing drink, a yummy ramen, and savory snacks to cover all your summer festivities!

            I apologise in advance for the lateness of this review, as it should have been posted in June. However, the Italian postal service was so jealous of the yummy treats that my box was held at Import Customs for a really long time, and I only received it a few days ago. 

            Now that it's here, let's not waste any time and let's dive into Matsuri Munchies! 

            LIABOM_Yakisoba-Policky-Ramune

              • Ippei chan Yaten no Yakisoba from Myojo syokuhin: I don't know how it's possible, but this Yakisoba tasted like festival. I know it doesn't make sense, but at the first bite I could picture myself in the middle of a festival, with all the sounds and wonderful smells that can be found there. I can't attend a festival, but it certainly doesn't mean I'm not able to enjoy it!
              • Policky BBQ flavor from Yaokin: I've had the chance to try this snack in last year's November Nibbles box and somehow the flavour felt a bit different. Although my opinion about this snack hasn't changed, the BBQ flavor was a little more subtle than I remembered, which was nice. 
              • PET Ramune Desuyo from Hata kousen: Ramune drinks are always fun to have, and this one certainly doesn't disappoint! A tasty drink combined with a fun game, what more do you want? The taste of this Ramune slightly reminded me of the Calpis Melon Cream soda from the Kawaii Snacks box, it was really nice!

              LIABOM_Potemo-Kotsubu-Arare-Sankaku

                • Potemo German Potato flavor from Oyatsu company: In this Matsuri Munchies box, ZenPop introduces "Potemo," a snack with a playful name inspired by the Japanese word "も" (mo), which means "also/too" in English. The subtle smokiness of the bacon flavour reminded me of a snack I was very used to as a child, so this particular salty treat brought back some happy memories.
                • Kotsubu Poteco Umashio flavor from Tohato: I had a bigger version in my Sakura Treats box, so imagine my delight when I found this tasty, salty snack in this box. Since this Kotsubu Poteco resembles  the shape of the ring used in a popular game called "Wanage" (or "Ringu Toss") played at Japanese festivals, I can only thank ZenPop for picking snacks that are so much fun! Perhaps I can still play the game using a toothpick as the stick...  😉 
                • Cheese Arare zoo chi from Iwazuka seika: What a tasty treat! I like cheese snacks, and the fact that they added peanuts to the mix makes it even more enjoyable. Be careful, though, with its addictive bite-sized shape you may finish your packet before you realise it's all gone! 
                • Sankaku Cracker Norishio flavor from Yaokin: The mini triangular crackers were quite popular when I was a child, so I was happy to try something that would evoke memories I had as a little kid. I couldn't taste the seaweed flavour too much, but these crackers were absolutely delightful!

                LIABOM_Fanta-Ramen-Banana-Uranai

                  • Hi-Chew Assort FANTA from Morinaga: Fanta and Hi-Chew's collaboration created a delightful and exciting snack pack! I really enjoy this type of candy, and let me tell you it IS packed with flavour! This Fanta treat may not be drinkable, but it is surely refreshing! 
                  • Baby Star Ramen Umashio flavor mini from Oyatsu company: I'm normally not a fan of this type of snack, however, this Baby Star Ramen was quite the surprise! Its umami taste of scallops was delectable and a burst of flavourful delight! I'm going to take ZenPop's word and use it as a salad topping, since I like my salads to have a bit of crunch! 
                  • Hora Dekita! Choco Banana Soft Candy from Coris: Leave it to ZenPop to make their boxes extra fun! This DIY snack was quite entertaining to assemble, and very yummy too! And, in case you're wondering, "Congratulations! You made it!" is what Hora dekita means in English.
                  • Petit Uranai Choco from Chirin seika: I just love this kind of snacks, and I'm definitely requesting ZenPop's assistance to help me with the choices of my fortune telling. Divination aside, these tiny chocolate bites are so good and addictive!

                  LIABOM_Marta-Umaibo-Pachi-Dunguri

                    • Mini Bottle from Marta: Lots of ramune treats in this Matsuri Munchies box, and I have to say this was high among my favourites! Encased in a small bottle, these delightful ramune granules  were both fizzy and sweet. A unique snack I definitely wouldn't mind trying again!
                    • Umai bo Yakitori flavor from Yaokin: What an amazing snack! I really enjoy these umaibo treats, and the delectable taste of yakitori (grilled chicken) sauce with this one was simply too good! Too bad there was only one, hehe 😅
                    • Pachi Pachi Panic Cola from Meisan: Awww, another snack that reminds me of my childhood! This too was in the November Nibbles box, so I was glad ZenPop gave me another chance to try this popping candy. The cola flavour is not very strong, but the fireworks sensation you feel when you eat it definitely enhances the flavour. 
                    • Donguri Gum Life Guard from Pine: I am not familiar with the 1980s "Donguri Gum" and "Lifeguard", but I surely liked this candy-gum! The candy tasted like pineapple and, although I've never tried the Lifeguard fizzy drink, I agree that the overall taste is one of an energy drink. Truthfully, I feel very energised right now!

                    LIABOM_Paper-Jelly-Shirokuma-Sherbet

                      • Sour Paper Can Grape from Yaokin: We all know grape-flavoured treats are not may favourite, so this one was a bit of a miss for me. However, I think the texture of this unique paper-like candy was quite interesting.
                      • Kingyo Jelly Hakutou from Hata seika: Is it a peach-flavoured jelly or a game of "Golden fish Scooping"? Surprise, it's both! It undoubtedly gives Matsuri vibes, and I genuinely liked how this yummy treats combines two of my favourite things, peach and the fish scooping game. We don't have Matsuri in Italy, but we have fun fairs and as a child I used to always enjoy the fish scooping game... Well, I always enjoy it as an adult as well!  😉
                      • Petit Shirokuma kun Jelly Rennyu flavor from Kinjo: Let's face it, the adorable white bear with its tiny little crown made me want to not eat this yummy jelly snack. However, ZenPop is counting on me so I had to try it—sorry white bear! The cute thing is that when seen from above, it resembled the face of a polar bear, with the red beans as eyes, cherries as the nose, and mandarin oranges as the mouth. It was milky and very delicious, I should just learn to read all ZenPop's notes beforehand, as not only I didn't notice the face, but I didn't freeze the jelly and missed on a unique experience.
                      • Korasete Taberu Sherbet Soda Assort from Ace: I loved this, I loved this, I loved this! Have I told you how much I loved this delicious treat? These sherbet nibbles come in three flavours—Coke, White Soda, and Melon Soda—and they were so refreshing! It's really hot in Italy now, so they were a Godsend (thank you, ZenPop!). However, I can't tell you which one was my favourite because they were all super tasty!

                      🎉🎉🎉

                      I'm so in love with the Matsuri Munchies snack box, all the snacks are perfect for the season and they truly make you feel like you're part of the fun a Matsuri brings. 

                      I also have a little public service announcement... The awesome people at ZenPop have introduced ZenPlus, a fabulous service where you can stock up on past boxes with an awesome discount! If you missed on some snacks that were featured in my earlier reviews, you can now get them at a very affordable price. This also applies to past anime, stationery, and limited edition boxes, so click the link below to get your hands on some great goodies!
                      Get previous boxes and a variety of snacks by visiting ZenPlus!
                      What Matsuri Munchies snack are you most interested in? Let me know in the comments! 

                      次回まで。♥

                      Zenpop Japanese Snack Box - Kawaii Snacks*

                      New month, new ZenPop Snack box! Oh, wait, what's this? A brand new design and a new booklet? That's amazing! 

                      Festival Dell'Oriente 2023: Cultures of the World*

                      It's that time of the year again, the time to get mesmerised by everything that Asian culture has to offer. And boy, if it was a whole lot!

                      Zenpop Japanese Snack Box - Kyoto Spring*

                      The cherry blossoms have bloomed, Spring has brought some sunny days, and ZenPop is taking us on a trip to a beautiful city full of history and good food.

                      Fantasmi e Spiriti del Giappone: Don’t Cross the Red Bridge

                      You know by now that I am very fond of Japanese culture, but what you probably don't know is that I'm also very fond of Japanese myths, legends, and folklore. And that's what I'm going to talk about today.

                      Unboxing Super Junior D&E The 1st Album COUNTDOWN

                      I'm back with another K-Pop unboxing, just like I promised! This time it's Super Junior D&E The 1st Album COUNTDOWN, and I'm really excited! 

                      Zenpop Japanese Snack Box - Sakura Treats*

                      Ahhh, it's finally Spring... You know what it means, right? That ZenPop is at it with a brand new Japanese snack box, and this time is all about the cherry blossoms!

                      Unboxing Super Junior The 9th Album Repackage TIMELESS

                      I'm going to talk about something a little different today, as this has a really special meaning to me. If you follow me on social media (Twitter especially), you'll know that my current favourite K-pop group is Super Junior.

                      5 Korean Dramas Worth Watching

                      Since I became passionate about Japan, and Asian culture in general, I've been thrilled to have discovered the magical world of Korean dramas. Not only the stories are really intriguing—whether I'm watching a rom-com, a period drama, or a suspenseful thriller (like I've done recently)—but they're also a very useful tool to get used to the language. 
                      Zenpop Japanese Snack Box - Ghibli Nostalgia*

                      February is the month of love, and because I LOVE Zenpop so much, I'm sharing a double dose of their wonderful Japanese snacks with you, my lovely readers! I'm sure you'll particularly enjoy their current theme, so why don't you go ahead and discover what it is?

                      Zenpop Japanese Snack Box - Osaka Treats*

                      By now you should know how fond of Zenpop I am, their treats are simply delicious and I don't have anthing but praises for them! Even more so now that they've introduced a new Japanese Snack Box!

                      Zenpop Subscription Box - Snack Revelation*

                      Happy New Year!!! We're almost halfway through the first month of 2023 and I'm here with Zenpop (who kindly *sponsored* this blog post and sent me a free Japanese Sweets Pack to review)

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                      ABOUT ME

                      Hi, I'm Fran!

                      I'm a Content writer & huge tea lover, currently self-studying Japanese. I can also be found gaming, watching Asian dramas, or Japanese period films.

                      ♥ Click here to find more about me ♥

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