L'espoir (レスポワール), the Western confectionery brand from Kobe Fugetsudo Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture), releases its Christmas-limited "TENDRE NOEL" (タンドル・ノエル) on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
The package is styled like a Western book and features Christmas motifs, such as dolls displayed in the shop windows of a Christmas town and sparkling decorations. The lineup includes three of the brand's signature products, Gaufrier (ゴーフレール), L'espoir, and Drycapot (ドリカポ), along with an assortment gift that combines all three.
To mark the L'espoir brand's 50th anniversary in 2026 and "L'espoir Day" on November 3, participating stores will also run a gift campaign for three days, from Sunday, November 1 to Tuesday, November 3. Customers who spend ¥3,780 or more (tax included) receive L'espoir L6B (10 pieces, worth ¥600).
It is a chance to choose Christmas gifts while also celebrating the brand's milestone.
A Western Book-Style Package Holding a Christmas Story
"TENDRE NOEL" is themed around a heartwarming Christmas and is meant to bring gentle moments spent with loved ones.
Opening the book-shaped package reveals sweets in individually wrapped pieces with limited-edition designs. The package adds to the Christmas fun, on top of the time spent tasting the sweets.
Christmas Gaufrier (クリスマス ゴーフレール)
These are millefeuille chocolate sweets that balance an elegant sweetness with a light, crisp texture. This Christmas-limited assortment combines sweet chocolate and matcha chocolate.
Contents: 7 Gaufrier pieces (4 sweet, 3 matcha)
Best-Before Period: 120 days
Price: ¥1,080 (tax included; ¥1,000 excluding tax)
Christmas L'espoir (クリスマス レスポワール)
These thin butter cookies melt softly in the mouth and are made with rare Calpis Co., Ltd. butter. The baked sweets bring out the richness of the butter and the full flavor of vanilla.
Contents: 20 L'espoir cookies (2 per bag, 10 bags)
Best-Before Period: 180 days
Price: ¥1,080 (tax included; ¥1,000 excluding tax)
Christmas Drycapot (クリスマス ドリカポ)
These almond tuiles are made with plenty of almonds and macadamia nuts. They are baked slowly to bring out the flavor of the ingredients, giving them a distinctive texture and a toasty aroma.
Contents: 14 Drycapot pieces
Best-Before Period: 180 days
Price: ¥1,080 (tax included; ¥1,000 excluding tax)
Christmas Assortment (クリスマス アソート)
This set packs one box each of Gaufrier, L'espoir, and Drycapot. It lets you enjoy all three sweets at once and is offered for a range of occasions, from Christmas gifts to a treat for yourself.
Contents: One box each of Christmas Gaufrier, Christmas L'espoir, and Christmas Drycapot
Best-Before Period: 120 days
Price: ¥3,240 (tax included; ¥3,000 excluding tax)
More details on the products are available on the product page.
"TENDRE NOEL" Product Overview
Release Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Where to Buy:
- L'espoir stores: https://lespoir.jp/shop/shop.html
- Kobe Fugetsudo official online shop: https://shop.fugetsudo-kobe.jp/
November 3 Is "L'espoir Day"
To mark L'espoir Day on November 3 and the brand's 50th anniversary, a gift campaign takes place at participating stores for three days, from Sunday, November 1 to Tuesday, November 3.
During the campaign, customers who purchase ¥3,780 or more (tax included) of L'espoir-brand products at a participating store receive one box of "L'espoir L6B" (10 pieces, worth ¥600) as a gift. The new Christmas products and gift items released this time also count toward the purchase.
The campaign falls at the time of year when the Christmas-limited products reach store shelves, so it is a chance to pick out a gift for someone special or a treat for yourself while celebrating L'espoir's 50th anniversary.
You can find more information on the campaign details page.
"L'espoir Day" In-Store Gift Campaign Overview
Period: Sunday, November 1 to Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Participating Stores: Participating L'espoir-brand stores (store list: https://lespoir.jp/shop/shop.html). Stores marked with an icon on the list are participating in the campaign.
Gift Condition: Purchase ¥3,780 or more (tax included) of L'espoir-brand products at a participating store. Receipts cannot be combined.
Gift: L'espoir L6B (a box of 10 L'espoir cookies). The gift ends once supplies run out.
