Confectioners Set up Shops: Ezaki Glico, Morinaga, Calbee

Recently, a new arcade called “Tokyo Okashi-land” opened in the basement of Tokyo Central Station, in which major confectionary manufacturers such as Ezaki Glico, Morinaga, Calbee and others operate their own retail outlets. Customers appear to like being able to watch items from the respective makers being produced on the spot. For example, at the Glico shop the almonds that go into its “Almond Chocolate” candy are roasted. At the Calbee shop, potato chips are fried and then coated with chocolate that’s sold on the spot. Customers are willing to wait for as long as one hour to purchase some of the most popular items.