trademark

The other day, I visited Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture. At a souvenir shop, I heard a song that went, “Snow Salt Sandwich, Snow Salt Sandwich♪ Miyakojima Snow Salt Sandwich.” I thought it might be a snack made with “Snow Salt,” a famous Okinawan souvenir, so I picked it up. Sure enough, it was a product sold by Miyakojima Snow Salt Co., Ltd., which manufactures “Snow Salt.” The blue packaging featured the words “Snow Salt Sandwich,” and there were also other products in the series, such as “Snow Salt Finnan,” “Snow Salt Rasuku,” and “Snow Salt Parin.” All the products had blue boxes with the same hiragana font, making them easy to spot at a glance. The catchy song also stuck in my head, so I ended up buying a few as souvenirs.

The box also features illustrations of the product inside, making it easy to recognize at a glance. The hiragana product names also seem to attract foreign tourists, as I noticed many of them purchasing the items.

Among the series products, only “Snow Salt Sand” (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6827968) is trademarked. However, the names following “Snow Salt” in these products are all three syllables, easy to pronounce, visually memorable, and clearly indicate what the product is. Combined with the catchy song, I feel they are well-named. If you ever visit Miyakojima, I highly recommend giving them a try! (Chamomile)

Snow Salt Co., Ltd. Website (Japanese only)
https://www.yukishio.com/

Snow Salt Sweets product (Japanese only)
https://www.yukishio.com/products/sweets/

Snow Salt sandwich song (YouTube)
https://youtu.be/PpHh-M-JrUc

Chubu Centrair International Airport (nickname: Centrair), located in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year since its opening on February 17, 2005.
20th anniversary special website (Japanese only) https://www.centrair.jp/20th/
Centrair is one of the most frequently used airports for domestic and international travel, and it has also been ranked first in the Regional Airport category of SKYTRAX’s international airport customer service evaluation for 11 consecutive years, which is a source of pride for local residents.

Centrair also features an indoor facility called “FLIGHT OF DREAMS.” This is a multi-purpose commercial facility centered around the display of the first Boeing 787 aircraft, where you can enjoy meals while viewing the aircraft up close, tour the cockpit, and even touch the aircraft. I often stop by when using Centrair.
Additionally, for a fee, you can experience a flight simulator and purchase Boeing merchandise, making it an enjoyable destination for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

The presence of the first Boeing 787 at Centrair is said to stem from the fact that the area around Centrair is home to many aircraft component manufacturing facilities and has a strong connection with Boeing.
As a result, the “DREAM LIFTER,” a plane used to transport aircraft components to the United States, occasionally lands here, so if you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse of its massive form. There are only four Dreamlifters in the world, and Centrair is the only place in Japan where it lands.

Aichi may be known as “the city of cars,” but it is also a hub for the aviation industry. When using Centrair, be sure to visit “FLIGHT OF DREAMS.” (Syszo)

“FLIGHT OF DREAMS” is a registered trademark of Chubu International Airport Corporation.
For inquiries regarding trademark registration, please contact Hattori & Partners.

I went to Kagoshima Prefecture at the beginning of April.
The weather was nice every day during my three-day stay, and the cherry blossoms were still in bloom, making it perfect for sightseeing.

I always buy souvenirs when I travel, and one of the souvenirs I bought this time was “Bontan Ame.” It usually comes in a box with about 14 pieces, but I happened to find a smaller one with only four pieces, so I bought that one.

The size was very cute and seemed perfect for keeping in my bag.
Upon examining the Bonten Ame box, I noticed it was labeled “Registered Trademark.”

Since the trademark registration number was not listed, I searched for “Bontan Ame” and “Seika Food Co., Ltd.” on J-Plat Pat and found about six results.
Among them, the box design was also registered. The trademark was applied for in 1983, and the trademark gazette (Trademark Gazette No. 60-019179) was in black and white.

Discovering intellectual property from outside my local area made the trip even more enjoyable! (Rabbit)

Trademark Gazette (Trademark Gazette No. 60-019179)
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/TR/JP-1983-009399/40/en
Bontan Ame
https://www.seikafoods.jp/bontaname/

Have you heard of “Atsuta Miyamochi”?
It is a type of mochi sold at the Atsuta Tsuitachi Market (*), held on the first day of every month at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture (in May, June, and November, it is held at Akibasan Entsu-ji Temple), and has become a local specialty.

What makes this mochi so special is that it was jointly developed by four long-established companies in Atsuta (Atsuta Houraiken, Kiyome Mochi Sohonke, Myoukouen, and Kameya Yoshihiro).

Take a look at the logos of each company printed on the packaging of “Atsuta Miyamochi.”

The fact that these four companies are involved instills an overwhelming sense of trust, making one think, “If these four companies are involved, the taste must be guaranteed.”
I could directly feel the “history” and “trust” accumulated in the trademark of each company.

The mochi inside comes in a box of five pieces (with a sweet and salty sauce), two of which change monthly.

The one I purchased this time was for April, and the monthly changing mochi for April was called “Hana Mankai.” The pale pink and light green colors are very cute. I would love to try the “Atsuta Miyamochi” from other months as well.

“Atsuta Miyamochi” is a registered trademark for “mochi confectionery” registered on March 17, 2017, by Kiyome Mochi Sohonke Co., Ltd. (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 5933143).

※ Atuta Tsuitachi Market website (Japanese only): https://atsuta-miyashuku.com/wp/tsuitachi/

Why not register your important product or service name as a trademark?
For consultations or requests regarding trademark registration, please feel free to contact us here.
Individual customers are also welcome. (Sakuramochi)

　Hello, this is Hiro.
　Rice prices have been rising recently. The other day, I saw some US rice on sale at a certain membership-based warehouse store, so I decided to give it a try.

　This rice, “Calrose,” is said to be a type of medium-grain Japonica rice famous in the Sacramento Valley of California. It appears slightly longer and thinner than Japanese rice. When cooked, it feels slightly less moist but not dry, and the texture and taste are similar to the Japanese rice I usually eat.

　In the center of the rice bag, there is a trademark featuring a design resembling rice ears, with the words “100% ORIGINAL,” “CALIFORNIA,” and “RICE” displayed above circular and rectangular shapes. Upon checking J-PlatPat, I found that this trademark is identical to a registered trademark.

Japanese Trademark Registration Number: No. 6176480
Registration date: August 30, 2019
Registrant: California Rice Commission
Designated goods: Rice produced in the State of California, United States

It appears that this trademark was initially refused registration under Article 4, Paragraph 1, Item 16 of the Trademark Law (misleading as to quality), but it was ultimately registered after the designated goods were amended to “rice produced in the State of California, United States.” If this trademark had not included any graphical elements such as rice ears and had been composed solely of the words “100% ORIGINAL,” “CALIFORNIA,” and “RICE,” it would likely have been deemed lacking in distinctiveness, and even if the designated goods had been amended, the grounds for refusal would not have been resolved.

　At our firm, when we receive a request for trademark registration, we strive to provide advice in advance (prior to filing) on potential grounds for rejection that may arise during the examination process, including countermeasures and alternative options. If you are considering filing a new trademark registration application, please feel free to contact us.

I bought Yoguret because I saw it on sale in a shop and it brought back memories. It was not the old-fashioned tablet type in a box, but the sugar-coated type in a pouch, and Yoguret had evolved! The shop I happened to visit only sold the sugar-coated type, but looking at the website, it seems that the old-fashioned Yoguret and Hi-lemon in a box are still going strong.

While looking at the packaging with the intention of eating it, I suddenly wondered, “I think Yoguret was made by Meiji Seika, wasn’t it?”, so I looked into it and found that Meiji Seika, the company that used to make Yoguret and High Lemon, became a subsidiary of Marubeni in 2023 and changed its name to ATRION Co., Ltd.
The original trademark rights for Yoguret belonged to Meiji Seika, and the current trademark rights holder is ATRION Co., Ltd. Looking at the progress information, it seems that the rights were transferred in 2023. The same is true for Hi-lemon, and the current trademark rights holder is ATRION Co., Ltd.

Even if the same quality product was on sale, I don’t think I would have picked it up if the name or packaging had changed. This was an event that made me realize once again that even if the company changes with the times, we can still enjoy the same taste, protected by trademark rights. If I find the boxed type on sale, I’ll buy it. (Marron)

The other day, February 22nd, was Cat Day.
As a cat lover, Cat Day is a very special day for me, when I can see lots of cats in photos and videos from morning to night.

This year, I bought some sweets to celebrate Cat Day.

They are “Shofuku Neko Manju” (blessed cat manju) from Tohoen, a shop in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture.

The impact of this appearance.
Once you’ve seen it, you’re unlikely to forget it, aren’t you?
As the name “Shofuku” suggests, it seems to bring good luck.

Incidentally, there is also a cat drawn on the paper bag.

It was a very satisfying Cat Day in 2025, as I was able to eat the manjuu I’d been wanting to try ever since I first heard about them a few years ago.

The word “猫子(Neko)” in “Shofuku Neko Manju” was registered as a Japanese trademark on June 15, 2022 for “Japanese sweets” and other designated products (Registration No. 6572445).

Why not register your important product or service name as a trademark?
For consultations and requests regarding trademark registration, please feel free to contact us here.
Of course, we also welcome individual customers. (Sakuramochi)

　I would like to introduce a trademark that we see every day without thinking about it. This time, I will be introducing YOINED, an ‘edible’ coffee from UCC UESHIMA COFFEE Co.

　A while ago, an article introducing this product was also published in the Japan Patent Office’s public relations magazine ‘Tokkyo’ Vol. 63. I have also included another article for reference. It seems that this time, the product has been relaunched.

　The price is a little high (2,700 yen (including tax) for 6 pieces → 450 yen per piece!), so I hesitated for a while (lol), but I decided to give it a try because I use a UCC capsule coffee machine at home.

　The packaging looks like a bar of chocolate. When I opened the package and took a bite, the inside also felt like a single bar of chocolate. The one on the left is MELLOW BROWN (15% coffee bean content), and the one on the right is CRAZY BLACK (40%).

　I didn’t really notice the coffee bean taste in the MELLOW BROWN, but the CRAZY BLACK had a strong coffee bean flavor. The pamphlet that came with it says “The name YOINED comes from the aftertaste (aftertaste in Japanese is “Yoin”)”, and I could certainly enjoy the aftertaste of coffee for a while.

　Incidentally, it may be obvious because it is mentioned in the Japan Patent Office’s public relations magazine, but YOINED makes use of patented technology (Japanese Patent Registration No. 6849552). It is said that 20 years were spent to bring to the world “food products that use coffee to allow people to easily enjoy the aroma and taste of coffee”. Why not try a different sensation to your usual cup of coffee?
(blink)