Sausage vs The World

Today, I’d like to tell you a little about a new design company called Sausage vs. The World. The company based in Kobe, Japan consists of two Aussies and one Japanese. They focus on delivering quirky designs that you just simply fall in love with. After living in Japan for quite a few years they like to incorporate Japan’s charming and cute culture into their unique designs. Sausage isn't as cute as the standard Japanese character but is aware of this and exudes his own unique charm. The two Aussies haven’t forgotten their roots and also like to work a little Aussie charm of their own into the design as well with a big celebration of the absurd that us Aussies really like.

Here is a little more about the company.



The company originally started as a series of off the cuff doodles, which appeared online and quickly established a fan base. The first designs were original sausage shirts that proved to be really popular. The company launched with three original designs and have gained a lot of support from the ex-pat community here in Japan, especially in the Kansai region. They recently completed their first collaboration with a small independent pub in Osaka as a way of celebrating St Patrick’s Day.

I am already a big fan of their whimsical T-shirts and you can check them out for yourself at their website listed below.

Sausage vs The World

The Flavors of Spring in Japan

Spring is finally here in Japan and if you can’t tell, I’m very excited about it! It has been a long cold winter here in Japan and spring brings with it the promise of warmer weather and the beautiful cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms usually make their appearance here in Gifu in late March and early April. You can read my post about the must see Cherry Blossom Spots in Gifu.

This time of year also sees a lot of interesting and delicious spring or cherry blossom inspired food and drinks in Japan. A few of my favourites so far have been:

Sakura Cream Doughnut from Krispy Kreme 

The Sakura Cream Doughnut from Krispy Kreme Japan featured Sakura (Cherry Blossom) icing with Sakura cream inside the doughnut.

Sakura Cream Doughnut

Haagen Dazs Sakura Ice Cream 

Haagen Dazs Sakura Ice Cream was released to celebrate Haagen Dazs’s 30th anniversary in Japan. It was really tasty and featured powdered cherry blossom petals with the ice cream topped with a sour cherry sauce.

Haagen-Dazs Sakura Ice Cream

Starbucks Sakura White Chocolate Latte 

Starbucks Sakura White Chocolate Latte made its comeback in early spring. This favourite of Japan Australia’s features white chocolate and includes real sakura petals and leaves. This year it also came with a strawberry flavoured topping along with pink strawberry infused whipped cream.

Starbucks Sakura White Chocolate Latte

McDonald’s Sakura Teritama Burger 

The Sakura Teritama Burger also affectionately known as the “Cherry Blossom Burger” was a cherry blossom version of the popular spring seasonal burger the “Teritama”. The new burger featured a fried egg, ginger teriyaki pork patty, lettuce, and sakura daikon radish mayonnaise sauce, all inside pink cherry blossom buns.

Sakura Teritama Burger

Sakura & Sakuranbo Chuhi 

The Sakura & Sakuranbo (Cherry) Chuhi is a favourite spring drink here at Japan Australia. Chuhi is a popular acholohic drink in Japan made from shochu and carbonated water. This one is flavoured with Sakura (Cherry Blossom) and Sakuranbo (Cherry).

Sakura and Sakuranbo Chuhi

Haru Ichigo Chuhi 

Another spring favourite Chuhi that features Haru or Spring Ichigo (Strawberry).

Haru Ichigo Chuhi

Do you have a favourite Spring seasonal food or drink in Japan?

Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Gifu

We are lucky here in Gifu to have so many great spots for viewing the beautiful cherry blossoms. This year they are expected to start blooming close to their average schedule with the estimated start date of around March 25 in Gifu. The peak is estimated for around April 3-10.

A popular past-time during the sakura or cherry blossom season in Japan is “hanami”. Hanami (花見) literally means “flower viewing” and cherry blossom viewing is a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the beautiful cherry blossoms.

Below are some of my favourite spots for cherry blossom viewing in Gifu.

Sunomata Castle 

Sunomata Castle (墨俣城) is located just outside of Ogaki City in Gifu Prefecture on the banks of the Sai and Nagara Rivers. The area features around 1000 cherry trees. The castle is a modern-day reconstruction based on that of nearby Ogaki Castle rather than the famous original, which according to legend is said to have been built in one night. The castle is sometimes also called Ichiya-jo (一夜城) or “one-night castle”. The area around the castle is illuminated at night and is very spectacular.

Best time to visit is from late March to early April.

Cherry Blossoms at Sunomata Castle

Food Vendors at Sunomata Castle

Shinsakai River

The Shinsakai River is located in Kagamigahara City near Shimin Koen Park. This is one of the best spots in Gifu Prefecture and features in Japan's top 100 Best Sakura locations. The banks of the river have around 1200 cherry trees and there are many food vendors making this a fantastic hanami location. I recommend a visit during the early evening to soak up the amazing atmosphere of this place.

Best time to visit is from late March to early April.

Cherry Blossoms along the Shinsakai River in Kagamigahara City

Cherry Blossoms in Kagamigahara City

Gifu Park 

Gifu Park (岐阜公園) is located in Gifu City at the foot of Mount Kinka and Gifu Castle. The park and surrounding area features around 480 cherry trees. The Japan-China Friendship Garden right next to Gifu Park is the best spot and is a popular hanami location during the sakura season. Gifu Park is regarded as one of the best spots for cherry blossom viewing in Gifu City. This spot can be enjoyed during both the daytime and the evening/night.

Best time to visit is from late March to early April.

Cherry Blossoms at the Japan-China Friendship Garden 

Cherry Blossoms at Gifu Park

Usuzumi Zakura 

Usuzumi Zakura is located in Neo Village in Motosu City, Gifu Prefecture. Usuzumi Zakura is one of the oldest cherry trees in Japan at over 1,500 years old, and is considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Cherry Blossom Trees. The tree has been officialy designated a National Nature Treasure of Japan. This unique cherry blossom tree initially sprouts pale pink flowers, which become white in full bloom. Usuzumi Park features around 50 cherry trees.

Best time to visit is from early April to late April.

Usuzumi Zakura is one of Japan's Three Great Cherry Blossom Trees

Take a look at the Cherry Blossom Forecast 2014 from Japan Travel Advice

Where are you planning to see the Cherry Blossoms this year?

This post is my contribution to the J-Bloggers' Carnival themed "New Beginnings", hosted at http://sopheliajapan.blogspot.jp by Sophelia

Sakura Teritama Burger

The Sakura Teritama Burger also affectionately known as the “Cherry Blossom Burger” is just about to hit McDonald’s Japan stores across the country. Spring in Japan is the time for the beautiful Sakura or Cherry Blossoms, which usually start to bloom in late March in Central Japan. This time of the year also sees lots of spring or cherry blossom inspired food and drinks in Japan. One of my favorites so far has been the tasty Sakura Cherry Blossom Ice Cream from Haagen Dazs. To fit in with the season, McDonald’s Japan will release a spring inspired burger complete with sakura pink-colored buns and a sakura mayonnaise sauce.



The new burger is called the “Sakura Teritama Burger” and takes its cue from the popular seasonal burger in Japan, the “Teritama”, which is short for Teriyaki Tamago. The new burger which is a cherry blossom version features a fried egg, ginger teriyaki pork patty, lettuce and sakura daikon radish mayonnaise sauce, all inside pink buns!

Sakura Teritama ~ Cherry Blossom Burger

The Sakura Teritama Burger will go on sale across Japan on March 21 and will be available for a limited time of only three days. The regular Teritama Burger is currently on the menu and will be available until mid-April.

McDonald’s Japan is also selling a Sakura Cherry Float and has decorated their stores with cherry blossoms. Get a little taste of spring now at your local McDonald’s in Japan.

Sakura Cherry Float

Take a look at my video on the Sakura Teritama Burger below