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Yamada Bee Factory 塩とシークヮーサーはちみつ: A second beverage I had from the hospital vending machine is this salted citrus beverage with organic honey. Its color, an electric yellow-green, makes me naturally think of lemon Gatorade, which it has a similar flavor to except the sweetness has a little more depth, and the consistency is a slightly thicker on the tongue. A decent sweet beverage good for the impending summer heat. 3.5/5.0

recommended drinks citrus vendingmachine yamadabeefactory 塩とシークヮーサーはちみつ 3.5
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Calpis ぐんぐんグルト: I haven't been able to write snack reviews consistently because about a week ago, my back gave out (a relapse with my herniated disc), and I had to go to the hospital to be treated, where I still am now. The meals at the hospital have been nutritional if not exactly tasty, and there are no snacks. Lying horizontally for several days, I saw little of the floor I'm staying on until a few days ago, when I was able to progress to a wheelchair and them a tall castered walker. After taking a tour ... (read more) 3.0/5.0

drinks vendingmachine japanese calpis ぐんぐんグルト 3.0
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Ichigaku Carrot juice with ginseng : This bottle of carrot juice retains much of the pulp of fresh carrots, giving it a slightly grainy texture. The juice has been slightly flavored with ginseng and lemon. I was hoping it would either be more sweet or more carrot-y; overall, it's not particularly good or bad. 3.0/5.0

japanese juice drinks ichigaku carrot ginseng 3.0
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Meiji Tanpact Cheese Biscuit with Milk Chocolate: I think I'm naturally sensitive to packaging design given my interest in visual design, but being in a foreign country where I don't know the language further deepens my reliance on food photography to make purchasing decisions. When I saw this box of biscuits, I assumed that they were plain crackers with a one-sided chocolate coating. It was only when I got home that I saw the smaller image underneath the product name showing 3 types of cheese (what appears to be blue cheese, gouda, and br... (read more) 3.0/5.0

japanese inegaya meiji tanpact cheese biscuit milk chocolate 3.0
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YBC Levain cheese sandwich crackers: I think the texture of cheese Ritz crackers is probably controversial, with it's fluffy texture and vaguely mild cheddar flavor, but I've always enjoyed it. These Japanese YBC crackers are similar but with a crispier, flakier cracker base; the cheese flavor is otherwise similar The bag comes with two individually wrapped stacks. Decent everyday snack. 3.0/5.0

japanese inegaya ybc levain cheese sandwich crackers 3.0
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Kabaya Watermelon Gummies: Softer than most gummy candies, falling more towards the marshmallow end of chewy textures, with Haribo on the opposite extreme. Shaped like little watermelon wedges and coated with sugar. Tastes like typically watermelon-flavored candy, which doesn't quite taste like real watermelon but would be recognizable nonetheless. Purchased at a Lawson drugstore. 2.5/5.0

japanese candy lawson kabaya watermelon gummies 2.5