Starting February 1, 2026 (Sunday), Andersen Group brands including Andersen, Little Mermaid, and Takaki Bakery will release "Fastelavnsbolle" at stores nationwide. This cream-filled Danish pastry celebrates Fastelavn, Denmark's traditional spring festival.
Fastelavn is a cherished Danish tradition marking the eagerly awaited arrival of spring. During this time, children dress up in costumes, play the lively "barrel hitting" game, and enjoy Fastelavnsbolle, a cream-filled sweet bread.
Through years of exchange with Denmark, Andersen Group has developed a deep appreciation for the Danish way of life and continues to share this cultural richness with customers in Japan.
This year's Fastelavn falls on February 15th (Sunday). Andersen Group invites you to celebrate an early taste of spring with Fastelavnsbolle, just as the Danish people do while awaiting the season's arrival.
2026 New Creation from Hiroshima Andersen - Delivering Authentic Danish Taste
This year, Hiroshima Andersen introduces "Fastelavnsbolle Modern," a new creation from Andersen Denmark's store that was ranked No. 1 by a major Danish newspaper in 2023. The product is already selling locally, with an impressive 300 units sold daily (as of January 23, 2026).
| Product Name | Fastelavnsbolle Modern |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥378 (tax included) |
| Sales Location | Hiroshima Andersen |
| Sales Period | February 1 (Sun) to February 28 (Sat) |
| Description | An evolution of the traditional Gammel type (sweet bread with cream wrapped in dough and chocolate-coated). Features cardamom-infused bread wrapped with marzipan, filled generously with mascarpone cream, and coated in chocolate. Seaweed salt on the surface adds an accent. Despite its simple appearance, it offers an elegant and delicate flavor. |
*Also available on Andersen Net (online shop) from February 2nd at ¥399 (tax included).
Original Movie from Andersen Denmark Store
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z311WjWFuQ
Andersen Group 2026 Fastelavnsbolle Product Information
Andersen Group will release various Fastelavnsbolle products. Please visit your nearest store to find them.
Hiroshima Andersen - Sales Period: February 1 (Sun) to February 28 (Sat)
"Gammel Fastelavnsbolle"
¥302 (tax included)
Custard cream-filled bread with cocoa glaze as an accent. A traditional Danish bread.
"Heart Fastelavnsbolle"
¥496 (tax included)
Crispy Danish pastry with three different fillings - mascarpone cream, raspberry jam, and pistachio praline - creating a harmonious flavor experience.
Andersen - Sales Period: February 1 (Sun) to February 28 (Sat)
"Fastelavnsbolle (Custard Cream)"
¥357 (tax included)
Fluffy dough baked with marzipan inside, filled with custard cream containing fresh cream, and coated with chocolate.
"Fastelavnsbolle (Strawberry & Rhubarb)"
¥432 (tax included)
Danish pastry filled with custard cream and baked, topped with strawberry-rhubarb filling, whipped cream, and caramel tablet.
Little Mermaid - Sales Period: February 1 (Sun) to February 28 (Sat)
"Fastelavnsbolle (Whipped & Custard)"
¥270 (tax included)
This year features an adorable cat-shaped Fastelavnsbolle! Filled with two types of cream - custard and whipped cream - the bread is decorated with a cat motif in sugar glaze, representing Fastelavn's symbolic animal.
Takaki Bakery - Sales Period: February 1 (Sun) to March 31 (Tue)
"Apple & Custard"
**¥171 (tax included) Price may vary by store*
Danish pastry filled with apple custard and apple jam, finished with powdered sugar. The original apple custard includes a hint of cardamom for depth of flavor.
"Raspberry & Whipped"
**¥171 (tax included) Price may vary by store*
Baked bread dough topped with raspberry-flavored cookie-like crust, sandwiched with raspberry filling and whipped cream. The pink top crust expresses spring from its appearance. The moderate tartness of raspberry enhances the sweetness of whipped cream.
Traindor - Sales Period: February 1 (Sun) to February 28 (Sat)
"Fastelavnsbolle (Whipped & Custard)"
¥270 (tax included)
This year features an adorable cat-shaped Fastelavnsbolle! Filled with two types of cream - custard and whipped cream - the bread is decorated with a cat motif in sugar glaze, representing Fastelavn's symbolic animal.
Denmark's Fastelavn
What is Fastelavn?
Fastelavn is a traditional Danish festival that began around the 16th century, held on the Sunday seven weeks before Easter. Originally an event preceding the fasting period before Easter, it has since lost much of its religious significance and is now beloved as a "spring-welcoming festival" held when half of winter has passed.
During Fastelavn, children in various costumes play "barrel hitting," where they take turns hitting a wooden barrel to break it and receive candy inside. They also enjoy eating Fastelavnsbolle. This traditional event embodies how Danish people eagerly anticipate the distant arrival of spring after a long winter.
About Fastelavnsbolle
Fastelavnsbolle is a cream-filled sweet bread traditionally eaten in preparation for fasting. Besides the classic "Gammel type" (custard cream wrapped in sweet bread dough and chocolate-coated), there are various types based on Danish pastry with delicate and elegant flavors. About one month before Fastelavn, bakeries across Denmark display creative products, and comparing which shop's version is most delicious has become a beloved tradition.
Fastelavnsbolle at Andersen Denmark Store
Andersen Denmark store is so popular that lines form before opening as Fastelavn Day approaches. The Danish pastry-based Fastelavnsbolle won first place in 2023 by Denmark's major newspaper 'Politiken,' earning high praise locally.
Andersen Group's Connection with Denmark
The connection with Denmark began in 1959 when founder Shunsuke Takaki encountered Danish pastries in Denmark. Deeply impressed by their deliciousness, Takaki commercialized Danish pastries in Japan for the first time in 1962. Since then, beyond learning baking techniques, the company has been impressed by Danish spirit, sensibilities, and the richness of heart of its people, continuing exchanges with the desire to make them a corporate model.
The flagship store "Hiroshima Andersen," which opened in 1967, has communicated Danish culture in various forms. In 2008, to express gratitude, the company opened a bakery in Denmark (currently operating two stores: "Andersen Islands Brygge Store" and "Andersen Ørsted Store"). These bakeries, combining tradition with innovation through challenges such as organic products, are beloved by locals.
Reference Material: Event Report from March 2025
[Hiroshima Andersen] Fastelavn Event Celebrating the Arrival of Spring in Denmark
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000037.000009964.html
About Each Brand
Andersen
With the flagship store Hiroshima Andersen at its center, operates directly managed bakeries nationwide. Offers a wide variety of breads rooted in European traditions, delivered with suggested ways to enjoy them.
Official Website: https://www.andersen.co.jp/
SNS: https://www.instagram.com/andersen_official_jp/
https://www.instagram.com/hiroshima_andersen_official/
Little Mermaid
"Your closest bakery." Little Mermaid provides freshly baked bread with an assortment that fits closely into daily life.
Official Website: https://www.littlemermaid.jp/
SNS: https://www.instagram.com/littlemermaid_official_/
Takaki Bakery
Products that serve daily life, for many customers. Delivers bread that prioritizes deliciousness, safety, and security through supermarkets and other outlets.
Official Website: https://www.takaki-bakery.co.jp/
SNS: https://www.instagram.com/takaki_bakery_official/
Traindor
Operates mainly in JR station premises in the Kyushu area. Aims to be a bakery that brings "happiness" = "brilliance" to customers.
Official Website: https://www.traindor.com/
Andersen Group
Founded in August 1948 in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, shortly after the war, as "Takaki's Bread." Founder Shunsuke Takaki believed that "delivering genuinely delicious bread would make meals enjoyable and enrich people's lives," and has taken on various challenges with fresh perspectives.
Today, Andersen Group comprises related companies both in Japan and abroad, centered on "Andersen" operating directly managed retail stores, "Little Mermaid" operating through franchises, and "Takaki Bakery" delivering specialty breads such as stone-oven baked products to retail stores, developing the bakery business comprehensively.
The company continues to challenge itself to become the world's highest quality bakery group, keeping close to heart the founding spirit of "bringing happiness to dining tables."
■ Founded: August 1, 1948
■ Head Office Location: Luther Peace Avenue Building 10F, 2-19 Tsurumi-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City
■ URL: https://www.andersen-group.jp/
