#Japan #Tokyo #Strawberry #Colombin #Amarin

Amarin's Amazing Four-Time Win at Colombin's Strawberry Championship

On June 30, 2023, the fourth edition of the "Customer's Choice!! National Strawberry Championship" was held at the Meiji Memorial Hall in Tokyo, hosted by Colombin Co., Ltd., a distinguished confectionery manufacturer and retailer based in Shibuya, Tokyo. The event showcased the incredible strawberry variety, "Amarin," cultivated by the Tadakane Farm in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, which achieved an impressive four-time consecutive championship victory.

"Amarin" was recognized for its exceptional quality, standing out among a multitude of carefully nurtured strawberries from across the nation. At the award ceremony, Hiroaki Takano, the representative of Tadakane Farm, passionately shared insights into the farm’s dedication to strawberry cultivation. He emphasized the importance of sharing regional resources to enhance crop quality and discussed the meticulous soil preparation processes needed to create sturdy strawberries that withstand transportation.

The Results of the 4th National Strawberry Championship

1. 1st Place: Amarin (Saitama Prefecture - Tadakane Farm)
2. 2nd Place: Fusa-no-Ka (Chiba Prefecture - Chiaki Strawberry Farm)
3. 3rd Place: Hoshiurara (Chiba Prefecture - Chiaki Strawberry Farm)



The championship is a special initiative tied to Colombin's fruit waffle specialty store, "Waffle Palette," which opened for a limited time in Shinjuku's Keio Department Store this past February. While the store typically serves a variety of fruit waffles, February saw a unique event focusing solely on strawberries, with more than 20 types sourced from all over the country. Only eight carefully selected varieties, based on size, variety, and region, were featured in the waffles sold.

A Unique Tasting Experience

Customers had the opportunity to taste and vote for their favorite strawberries in a one-of-a-kind tasting format that encouraged direct comparison between the varieties. The winners were determined based on sales figures, the number of units sold, and feedback from customer surveys, leading to the announcement of the top three strawberries.

At the award ceremony, exquisite sweets incorporating the top strawberry varieties—Amarin, Fusa-no-Ka, and Love Song—were unveiled for the first time. These luxurious desserts will be temporarily sold during Colombin's Strawberry Fair set to open in January 2026 at their Harajuku Salon and select directly operated stores.

Special Strawberry Fair Sweets

Colombin's Technical Producer, Ohno, introduced the special sweets that highlight these top-quality strawberries:

• - Parfait spécial fraises: This luxurious parfait features rare premium strawberries (Amarin, Fusa-no-Ka, Love Song) and a strawberry mousse base, offering an exquisite culinary experience. Enjoy the delightful combination of various mousses and creams showcased in a verrine cup. Suggested retail price: ¥1,782 (tax included).
• - Love Song Strawberry Short Cake: Highlighting the acidity of the Love Song strawberry, this newly created short cake balances the deliciousness of the strawberry with cream and sponge, priced at ¥1,674 (tax included).
• - Fusa-no-Ka and Pistachio Cream: A rich and smooth pudding-like texture complements the acidity of Fusa-no-Ka strawberry. Suggested retail price: ¥1,674 (tax included).

These special sweets will be available at Colombin’s Harajuku store, Ikebukuro Tobu Store, and Aeon Makuhari New City Store from mid-January to early February 2026.

Afternoon Tea Set at Colombin Harajuku Salon

The afternoon tea set, exclusively available at Colombin Harajuku Salon, features a contemporary Japanese twist on traditional French pastries designed to highlight strawberries:

• - Top Tier: Sweets using Amarin strawberries, including Colombin short cake, verrine (sparkling wine jelly and panna cotta), tart, eclair.
• - Middle Tier: Savories featuring Fusa-no-Ka and Love Song strawberries alongside a croissant sandwich with mascarpone and roasted duck.
• - Bottom Tier: Features the same strawberries in a fresh salad, Tartine with prosciutto, and a three-mushroom quiche.
• - Special Dessert: A strawberry parfait featuring the winners for a unique tasting experience.

This afternoon tea set will be available from mid-January to mid-March 2026, with prices ranging from ¥8,800 to ¥9,900 (tax included).

About Colombin

Founded in 1924 by Kunihiro Kadokura, the company was the first in Japan to offer authentic French pastries. Known for creating the Japanese favorite, the short cake, Colombin has since upheld a rich legacy while adapting to modern trends. As they approach their 100th anniversary in 2024, Colombin remains committed to delivering products and services that inspire emotional connections with their customers.

For more information, visit Colombin’s Official Website. Follow them on Instagram at @colombin1924_official.