A new non-alcoholic craft ginger beer is set to launch on April 20, 2026 (Monday) as a souvenir from Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture. MIZUSHIMA BLUE 北陸のハワイ Ginger Beer ALOHA LILIKOI is inspired by Mizushima, a small island off the Tsuruga coast nicknamed the "Hawaii of Hokuriku," and serves as the second release in the MIZUSHIMA BLUE craft drink series.
The drink combines the tropical sweetness of lilikoi (passion fruit) with the refreshing kick of ginger, and features a vivid blue color evoking the clear waters around Mizushima. Being non-alcoholic, it can be enjoyed at gatherings regardless of alcohol tolerance.
Concept
Experience "Hawaii" Visually
- A colorful and playful label design evoking the image of "Hokuriku's Hawaii"
- A striking blue color reminiscent of the clear waters around Mizushima island
Experience "Hawaii" Through Taste
- Tropical lilikoi (passion fruit) flavor brings a Hawaiian touch, paired with a refreshing ginger kick and gentle sweetness
- Oboro konbu (shaved kelp), a local Tsuruga specialty, is incorporated as a secret ingredient
Feel the Connection to Hawaii
- 1% of annual sales is donated to Maui Island recovery efforts
Background: Map Travel and Mizushima Island
Map Travel, a Hawaii-focused travel company based in Tsuruga, has been actively involved with Mizushima since 2021. The company has developed collaborative products tied to the island, donating a share of proceeds to the local Mizushima district and the Hawaiian NPO Aloha Ocean Plus for ocean conservation efforts. The company's entire team also participates in beach cleanups on the island.
The first MIZUSHIMA BLUE product was a craft beer released in 2024 to mark the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen's Tsuruga extension. This ginger beer is the second release in the series.
Designer: SUZANNE JENNERICH
The label and packaging design comes from SUZANNE JENNERICH, a Hawaii-based artist known for her vibrant, aloha-filled style.
Born in Germany, Suzanne studied in New York and developed her career at major apparel and character companies before moving to Hawaii via Brazil and California. Her colorful mural and window art can be found across Kailua, Kaimuki, and Waikiki. The gift box design blends imagery from Tsuruga (Kehi Jingu Shrine and Kehi no Matsubara pine grove) with Hawaiian elements.
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannejennerich/
- Website: https://www.suzannejennerich.com/
Brewing Method: Ginger Beer and Local Oboro Konbu
Ginger beer is a traditional fermented beverage made from ginger, sugar, water, and yeast. Unlike ginger ale — which simply adds ginger flavor to carbonated water — ginger beer undergoes fermentation, resulting in a deeper, richer ginger character.
This version layers two spices and lilikoi aroma with konbu water made from off-cuts of oboro konbu, the local Tsuruga kelp specialty. The konbu is slowly cold-brewed over 2 to 3 hours. The product has been tested by the Japan Food Research Laboratories and confirmed to contain iodine.
Potential benefits of konbu:
- Alginic acid — supports brain function
- Iodine — promotes healthy skin
- Fucoidan — antioxidant and anti-aging properties
- Calcium — supports bone health
- Dietary fiber — aids digestion
| Ingredients | Ginger (domestic), high-fructose corn syrup, organic lemon juice, white sugar, kelp, cinnamon, cardamom, carbonated water, spirulina blue pigment, flavoring |
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Bridging Tsuruga and Hawaii
The ginger beer aims to introduce both domestic and international visitors to Tsuruga City and Mizushima island, while also encouraging local residents to appreciate having a tourism resource as distinctive as "Hokuriku's Hawaii" in their own community. Comments from prominent Hawaii figures are planned for the official website around the time of the full launch.
Official Website: https://mizushima.blue
(Relaunched April 13, 2026, with some sections coming soon)
