A new strawberry ice bar has arrived at FamilyMart stores across Japan. "Gyutto Ichigo" (Packed with Strawberry), priced at ¥210 (¥226 tax included), went on sale at approximately 16,400 FamilyMart locations nationwide on April 14, 2026. The product is the first strawberry-flavored addition to the chain's "Sanchi to, Kombini," series, which was launched to support sustainable fruit farming in Japan.
Four Years in the Making — Strawberry Finally Joins the Lineup
The "Sanchi to, Kombini," series is built around partnerships with local farming communities, aiming to highlight regional produce and help sustain agricultural livelihoods. Strawberry has been a long-sought goal for the series since it launched, given how central the flavor is to the ice cream category. It took four years of deepening ties with producers before the team felt confident moving forward.
The variety at the heart of the product is "Tochiaika," grown in Tochigi Prefecture — a region that has cultivated strawberries for over half a century and is widely known as the "Strawberry Kingdom" of Japan. Tochiaika is drawing attention as a next-generation standard for the region, prized for its strong sweetness, its resilience in hot weather, and meaningful improvements it brings to farm operations.
A Variety That Changes Work on the Farm
Tochiaika berries are notably large and firm, making them less susceptible to damage during harvest and boxing. Farmers working with the variety have noted that it has eased the physical demands of the job and opened up more room in their daily routines. For some, knowing that the strawberries they grew are being sold nationally as a finished product is a source of personal pride and ongoing motivation.
Selling Strawberries by Variety Name
With over 300 strawberry varieties competing in Japan's market, even a high-quality cultivar can struggle to gain name recognition among everyday shoppers. Rather than labeling the product simply with "strawberry juice," the package prominently features "Tochiaika fruit juice" — the variety name — on the front.
The intention is to help consumers associate the name with the taste, building awareness and a potential fan base for Tochiaika. Greater consumer recognition is expected to support wider adoption of the variety and, in turn, benefit the farming communities behind it.
The name "Tochiaika" carries meaning in Japanese: it blends references to love (愛, "ai") and the strawberry itself, and the berry delivers on the symbolism — cut one in half, and a heart-shaped cross-section appears inside.
Product Details
- Product name: Gyutto Ichigo (とろける食感 ぎゅっといちご / Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture, Packed with Strawberry)
- Price: ¥210 (¥226 tax included at 8% reduced rate)
- On sale: April 14, 2026 (Tuesday)
- Available at: FamilyMart stores nationwide
- Description: A two-layer ice bar made with 27% Tochiaika strawberry juice from Tochigi Prefecture. The bar combines a layer of concentrated strawberry juice with a melt-in-your-mouth gelato layer, delivering the natural aroma and rich sweetness of the fruit in each bite.
