Christmas traditions in Japan: Pokemon donuts!

Each year for Christmas Mister Donut have a special collaboration with Pokemon. Mister Donut is a popular Japanese donut store. It reminds me of the Dunkin' Donut stores, which were the only chain donut store in Ireland when I was growing up there. However, Dunkin' Donut was nowhere near as popular as Mister Donut are here in Japan. In Japan, more than just a chain donut store, it is a household name. And with good reason. Their donuts really are delicious.

So what have donuts got to do with Christmas? Well, every year Mister Donut release limited edition donuts in the lead up to Christmas. Moreover, for the last several years the Christmas donuts are a collaboration with Pokemon. It has become a tradition to indulge in a Pokemon Mister Donut at Christmas time. And I know that this not just a Christmas tradition my family enjoys. It has become a Japanese Christmas tradition for the masses. How do we know? Because the limited edition donuts sell out daily.  They only make a certain amount each day of the limited edition donuts and often sell out within minutes, yes minutes, of a store opening. Particularly in more populous areas.  

This year there are three Pokemon donuts for Christmas. Two are regular fixtures annually: Pikachu and Poke-ball. Then there is a 'surprise' Pokemon that changes annually. This year it is a Diglett one, called Pon De Digda. Digda is the name for Diglett in Japan. It combines the popular 'pon de ring' donut and the Diglett character. I am lucky that we have a Mister Donut relatively near us that is not as busy as others. And I have been able to pick up the Pikachu and Poke-ball donuts this year no problem. However, even in that not-so-busy store, the Diglett donut evades me. It sells out within minutes. 

The Pikachu and Poke-ball donuts are really delicious, the Pon De Digda looks really delicious too. I hope I get to try it before the season ends. Have you been able to get your hands on one? How was it!?