Perhaps because Japan is the land of vending machines, it is also the land of bizarre canned drinks. The most famous, of course, is Pocari Sweat.
We actually like quite a few of these drinks. Aquarius is like Gatorade, but not so thick and sweet. Afternoon Tea is a iced jasmine tea with milk and sugar (just the way I always drank it in America, to the disgust of my American coworkers). There was also a sour yogurt soda that I liked, but the name escapes me now.
Other names I liked were Caloriemate, and, of course my very own, M Coffee.
Update
I get a lot of email requesting information on importers and distributorships. The Otskuka Pharmaceutical site has a map of the countries in which you can buy Pocari Sweat.
For questions concerning European distributions, try contacting the London address on the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe, Ltd. site, which is in English.
Posted by M Sinclair Stevens
February 01, 2002
Comments
Hi, my name is Chandra Iwan and I would like to get some information about distributor for pocari sweet drink? Is there any distributor yet in Indonesia?
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Comment by: Chandra. Posted June 18, 2002 12:17 PM.
According to the Pocari Sweat Handbook provided by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd the makers of Pocari Sweat, they do sell it in Indonesia.
The distributor listed is P.T. Amerta Indah Otsuka. Address: Wisma Pondok Indah Room 701-702, Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda Kav. V-TA, Pondok Indah, Jakarta Selatan 12310, Indonesia. Phone: 62-21-769-7475; FAX: 62-21-769-7472.
Comment by: M Sinclair Stevens. Posted June 19, 2002 03:34 PM.
Could the "sour yogurt soda" you refer to be Calpis? When living in Japan I drank carbonated and non-carbonated Calpis alike. I had friends describe it as a "fermented milk drink" but it always tasted a sour-kind-of-yogurt-ish to me.
Comment by: Bryan. Posted July 8, 2002 03:54 PM.
I love Pocari Sweat, much to the dismay of my American family, and I noticed that there were no calories in Pocari Sweat but there were carbs. So in order to have carbs you have to have calories, so... I am confused. I think the labels here got mis-printed or somthing. Could any one please tell me what thier labels say so I can drink Pocari Sweat guilt free.
Comment by: asti. Posted August 15, 2002 11:11 AM.
Sorry to disappoint you but Pocari Sweat is not calorie-free. A 340ml can contains 82 calories. That's less calories than a 12-ounce Classic Coke (140), but about the same as Gatorade.
Comment by: M Sinclair Stevens. Posted August 17, 2002 01:52 PM.
Order Pocari Sweat online at J-List
Comment by: J-List. Posted September 26, 2002 04:14 PM.
I refer to my mail above dated 15th September. Is there any chance of a reply to the above address in the near future? It would be greatly appreciated. Barry Hennessy
Comment by: Barry Hennessy. Posted November 8, 2002 10:03 AM.
Hi, I'd like to know if you know why Pocari Sweat tastes so plain? I wonder if flavor is not a concern for sport drink. For an example: gatorade and powerade have various fruity fresh flavors and thay taste good! Does POCARI has a sport drink line for young adult? I mean, flavors? Thanks.
Comment by: pixel. Posted May 7, 2003 05:09 AM.
pocari sweat is SO good, its actually amazing. i don't need to have 10 different pocari sweat flavors like gatorade and powerade have. if they had pocari at my local walmart it would be the only thing i ever drank!
Comment by: Tim Meijome. Posted July 6, 2003 05:19 AM.
I love Pocari Sweat it is by far the best drink I have ever had. I had 6 liters in 1 day once.
Comment by: josh. Posted August 24, 2003 03:32 PM.
hi, i tried pocari sweat once or twice. it was nice and no too bad. however, my question is WHY POCARI SWEAT DOES NOT PUBLISHED IN EUROPE??? i hope you can give the anwer quickly because i am doing a research on you. do not worry. nothing suspicious. it is just a school assignment. thank you for the answer and i am looking forwrd to see the reply from you. best regards, widy
Comment by: widy. Posted September 12, 2003 04:46 AM.
IS THERE ANY WAY TO HAVE POCARI SWEAT IN THE UNITED STATES??
Comment by: SgtAzn. Posted September 13, 2003 03:57 PM.
How is the powdered Pocari seat mixed?? How much water to powder??
Comment by: Gary. Posted December 29, 2003 04:22 PM.
How many calories are in a can of beer? and why does my can say "for sale in Indonesia only" Cheers
Comment by: snoggle. Posted January 1, 2004 11:09 PM.
If you live in an area with a significant Asian population, Pocari Sweat is available at most Asian stores. Even chinatowns usually have it in grocery stores.
Comment by: Jon. Posted February 11, 2004 12:10 AM.
Dear Sirs, ARE YOU EVER GOING TO ANSWER ANY OF OUR FUCKING QUESTIONS? IT APPEARS TO ME THAT YOU GUYS DONT GIVE A SHIT AND COULDNT CARE LESS WHETER OR NOT YOU SELL MORE OF YOUR PRODUCT. GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER YOU LAZY BASTARDS. JD Learn to read. And write. Oh, and get your shift key fixed. -- M. Stevens
Comment by: John Delaney. Posted March 9, 2004 09:06 AM.
I remember there was a drink in Ireland called Pocari a few years ago. Was it the same drink under a different name, if so is there any place I can get it in Ireland as I used to love the taste of it. Thanks
Comment by: Darren Cash. Posted March 9, 2004 05:29 PM.
Your can of Pocari Sweat states "for sale in Indonesia only" because it was produced in Indonesia for sale locally. Prices in Indonesia compared to other parts of Asia (Japan/Korea) is quite cheap. So cheap that when you purchase a can or powdered mix of Pocari Sweat, you pay about 1/4 of the cost it would be to drink it in Japan.
To answer the other question about how much water per satchet of Pocari Sweat, use 200mL or approximately .856 cup (little over 4/5 of a cup).
Well, hope I answered some questions for you.
Comment by: seyton. Posted March 23, 2004 05:50 AM.
Hi, i was wondering where I buy this calpis juice/drink? I get mine at Asahi Imports or Central Market. -- mss
Comment by: Ray. Posted March 24, 2004 09:01 PM.
Does Pocari Sweat suitable for a pregnant woman to drink?
Comment by: Kar Chan. Posted July 20, 2004 07:41 AM.
Hi, I am currently doing research on soft drinks market in Japan. If any of you know anything about the import and export situation in Japan regarding sports, still drinks, nectars, juice..would really appreciate your help ASAP. Thanks in advance.
Comment by: CC. Posted May 8, 2005 12:54 AM.
I love pocari sweet, i must have stock every day for my dougther 5years old, 2 cans aday. How about of her healty if she drink daily. May wife also selling pocari sweet each rugby event in Bali beach. And i come to my sub distributor who also as a distributor of pocari sweet UD Darmayasa-Bali, to buy pocari sweeet for stock of my dauther, but the pocari sweet move to another distributor. When we talk each other about the product, make me fell confident and happy if i can joint as an employe there. Please advice. there is any vacancy in sales department for any branches?. My expreiance Area Sales Manager of Pt. Delta Djakarta ( Anker Bir, Carlsberg Beer, Sanmiguel Beer and Stout Beer.) Thank you "Sucsess". Regards P. Sunarto
Comment by: I Putu Sunarto. Posted July 17, 2005 06:31 AM.
ANSWERS!!!! As an avid drinker of Pocari I decided to answer a few questions I saw here. 1. Pocari is very suitable for pregnant women. The ingredients suggest nothing that would be detrimental to an unborn fetus. 2. For the dry packets of Pocari they usually make roughly about 1 liter. Generally I like to add two packets to my empty big soda bottles (although since I like Japanese drinks more I've been using the same bottle for quite some time :P) and shake well. 3. Pocari is available through many online retailers however buying it person may be more tricky due to marketing and distribution where you live. I would suggest first to anyone interested in buying some to drink to check in your local area and ask around to see if you don't already have an Asian market in your area you were unaware of. If your local market does not carry it please feel free to ask! Many Asian supermarkets are available to order things upon request. 4. Don't worry about stickers that say "For sale in ____ only". It wont affect your enjoyment of the drink and carries no importance what so ever. Hope this helps!
Comment by: Radish. Posted July 24, 2006 03:00 AM.
Dear Sir, I would like to know the pocari sweet distributor in middle east Specialy in Dubai We are looking for pacari sweet powder for our company staff during summer
Comment by: johnson. Posted July 21, 2007 01:45 AM.
Dear Sir, I would like to know the pocari sweet distributor in middle east Specialy in Dubai We are looking for pacari sweet powder for our company staff during summer.
Comment by: Shrishail Kittur. Posted August 7, 2007 08:51 AM.
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