#Japan #Tokyo #iichiko #Nonki #Green Tea Highball

Summer Special Pairing Campaign

From July 1 to July 19, 2026, Next Global Foods Co., Ltd., based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is launching a special pairing campaign across its five brands: Motsuyaki Nonki, Tare Yakiniku Nonki, Yakitori Nonki, BISTRO NONKI, and Sakaba Nonki. This event will host 27 restaurants in the Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Saitama regions, offering a unique tasting experience featuring the round and refreshing green tea highball "Iichako"—a delicious blend of the renowned Oita Prefecture's barley shochu "Iichiko" and green tea.

This collaboration marks the first time Iichako has been paired with the long-loved green tea highball, enhancing signature dishes from each brand. The flavors of Iichiko, combined with the herbal notes of green tea, offer a delightful and harmonious blend perfect for summer dining.

Campaign Overview

Duration

July 1, 2026 - July 19, 2026
(19 days)

Campaign Times

Dinner hours (specific opening hours vary by location, check each restaurant's site for details)

Participating Locations

A total of 27 restaurants across the Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Saitama areas from the Nonki group.

Highlights of the Campaign

1. Special pricing for "Iichako."
2. Original pairing menus specific to each brand.
3. Stopwatch challenge with the aim to stop at 1.15 seconds (available at select locations).

What is Iichako?

In recent years, the popularity of the green tea highball has soared among younger generations. To make Iichiko more accessible, Iichako was created by mixing Iichiko with green tea, resulting in a mellow and rounded green tea highball. The umami flavor from barley beautifully complements fermented foods like miso and soy sauce, making it a versatile drink that pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes—Japanese, Western, and ethnic—thus appealing to a wide demographic.

• - Iichako Special Price: 500 yen (tax included)
• - Additional Iichiko: 320 yen (tax included)

= (Additional Iichiko is another dilute of Iichiko; we recommend limiting to two servings for optimal taste)

Example Pairing Menus for Iichako

Each of the five Nonki brands will showcase signature items redesigned to align with the refreshing taste and aroma of Iichako, enriching the experience with the depth of barley shochu, particularly during summer.

For Motsuyaki Nonki (9 locations)

Pairing Theme: "Secret Sauce Umami × Barley Depth × Green Tea Aroma"

• - Shiro Tare × Iichako

Succulent pork belly grilled to perfection; its fat's sweetness complements the unique umami of barley from Iichiko and the fresh fragrance of green tea.

Other pairing options: Salted Chicken Nuggets × Iichako, Downtown Thick Noodles × Iichako

For Tare Yakiniku Nonki (7 locations)

Pairing Theme: "Fatty Umami × Barley Aroma × Green Tea Refreshment"

• - Shiro × Iichako

Items marinated in sauce deliver a rich taste that pairs elegantly with Iichiko's depth, ensuring a delightful experience.

Other pairing options: Top Red × Iichako, Freshly Cooked Rice × Iichako

For Yakitori Nonki (5 locations)

Pairing Theme: "Sweetness of Green Onion × Soft Aroma × Green Tea Freshness"

• - Negima × Iichako

The sweet tenderness of scallions blends beautifully with juicy chicken, enhanced by the softness of the shochu and green tea's freshness.

Other pairing options: Signature Chicken × Iichako, Japanese Chicken Kamameshi × Iichako

For BISTRO NONKI (4 locations)

Pairing Theme: "Umami from Broth × Barley Depth × Clean Finish Aroma"

• - Broth Rice × Iichako

A bistro-style broth rice perfectly absorbing flavor, allowing the barley's umami to shine when paired with the clarity of green tea aroma.

Other pairing options: Black Wagyu Ramp × Iichako, Beef Heart Carpaccio × Iichako

For Sakaba Nonki (2 locations)

Pairing Theme: "Richness that Complements Various Small Plates × Green Tea Refreshment"

• - Nonbee Assortment × Iichako

A standout selection of small plates that complement each other's unique tastes beautifully, elevated by the calming effects of Iichiko and green tea.

Other pairing options: Omakase Assortment × Iichako, Beef Tendon Tofu × Iichako

How to Enjoy the Pairing

Through the mobile ordering special page, guests can explore signature dishes from each brand paired with Iichako, truly capturing the essence of summer flavors.

Special Event: Stopwatch Challenge

During the campaign, customers can participate in the "1.15 seconds Iichiko" stopwatch challenge upon ordering Iichako. Those who successfully stop the stopwatch at 1.15 seconds (±0.01 seconds) will receive a limited edition Iichiko stir stick designed after its signature bottle.

Participating Locations for the Stopwatch Challenge

• - Yotsuya Motsuyaki Nonki
• - Kanda Motsuyaki Nonki
• - Arakicho Sakaba Nonki
• - Mizoguchi Motsuyaki Nonki

Conditions: Available from July 1, 2026 – July 19, 2026 on weekdays from 5 PM to 7 PM only. Only at designated locations and participants may only join once.

Full List of Participating Locations (27 venues)

(Details for all Nonki venues and locations)
For Motsuyaki Nonki (9 locations):

• - Yotsuya Nonki
• - Kanda Nonki
• - Shin-Koiwa Nonki
• - Kinshicho Nonki
• - Asakusa Nonki
• - Kanda West Nonki
• - Oku Shibuya Nonki
• - Yotsuya 1-Chome Nonki
• - Mizoguchi Nonki

For Tare Yakiniku Nonki (7 locations):

• - Yotsuya Tare Yakiniku
• - Kagurazaka Tare Yakiniku
• - Hamamatsucho Tare Yakiniku
• - Toranomon Tare Yakiniku
• - Mishuku Tare Yakiniku
• - Aoyama Tare Yakiniku
• - Ebisu Tare Yakiniku

For Yakitori Nonki (5 locations):

• - Kameido Yakitori
• - Koenji Yakitori
• - Kanda Yakitori
• - Asakusabashi Yakitori
• - Kasai Yakitori

For BISTRO NONKI (4 locations):

• - Yoyogi Hachiman BISTRO NONKI
• - Kagurazaka BISTRO NONKI
• - Omiya BISTRO NONKI
• - Shinagawa BISTRO NONKI

For Sakaba Nonki (2 locations):

• - Arakicho Sakaba Nonki
• - Nishiogikubo Sakaba Nonki

About Next Global Foods Co., Ltd.

Founded by Takamasa Ogino, Next Global Foods Co., Ltd. operates various drinking establishments, including Motsuyaki Nonki, Tare Yakiniku Nonki, Yakitori Nonki, BISTRO NONKI, and Sakaba Nonki. For more details, visit Next Global Foods.

About Iichiko

"Iichiko" is an authentic barley shochu made from barley and high-quality water and is a long-selling product loved across 30 countries. Visit the Iichiko Brand Site for more information.

Contact Information

For inquiries about this campaign, please contact:
Masashi Ito, Public Relations, Next Global Foods Co., Ltd.
TEL: 03-3351-6650 / E-mail: [email protected]
URL: Next Global Foods
Official URL: Iichako