Description: Why a Tokyo Banana gift became a story about a flying chick-shaped cake on Japan’s Uraaka Uraraka, broadcast on 24 October 2026.
There is no verified evidence that Emiko Uenuma threw a cake. Comedian Eiko Kano said a story about giving her Tokyo Banana sweets had changed in the retelling until a Hiyoko cake supposedly flew across the room. He told it on episode four of ABEMA’s Uraaka Uraraka, aired at 11 p.m. Japan time on 24 October 2026. ORICON NEWS reported it on the 27th.[1][2]
How did the conversation begin?
Hosted by Akira Kawashima, Uraaka Uraraka uses anonymous celebrity messages to spark candid discussion. A post about intimidating entertainers being kind off-camera led to memories of powerful senior figures in Japanese television.
Kawashima described a custom at some Osaka programmes: new guests bring a speciality from their hometown. Someone from Fukuoka might bring mentaiko, spicy fish roe. Kano, however, is from Miyagi Prefecture and reportedly gave Uenuma Tokyo Banana. The first joke is a standard Tokyo souvenir appearing where a personal regional speciality was expected.[1][8]
Is Tokyo Banana a rude gift?
No. Introduced in 1991, Tokyo Banana is a famous boxed souvenir of soft sponge cakes with banana custard. The mismatch concerns the supposed hometown-gift custom, not the product’s quality.[5][6]
Kawashima recounted Kano being scolded, while warning that Uenuma might never have stated that rule herself. Comedian Daisuke Shiba suggested the gift might look like a last-minute purchase at Tokyo Station. That is Shiba’s speculation, not a confirmed explanation from Uenuma.[1]
Why did a banana become a flying chick?
Kano said some retellings replaced Tokyo Banana with Hiyoko, a sweet shaped like a chick, and added Uenuma rejecting and throwing it. A small etiquette mishap acquired a different prop, an angry celebrity and an action-movie ending. The punchline is the growth of gossip, not evidence of an actual throw.[1]
Hiyoko is a real Japanese sweet filled with bean paste and egg yolk. It originated in Iizuka, Fukuoka, in 1912 and reached Tokyo in 1964, becoming associated with souvenirs from both places. The story switches between two familiar gifts, then gives the little bird wings.[7]
Did it happen, and why was it reported on 27 October?
The documented event is Kano describing how the anecdote circulates. Available sources do not establish footage of a thrown cake, Uenuma’s confirmation or the date of the original gift. This is not proof of assault or a personal feud.
The studio laughed during the 24 October broadcast. ORICON NEWS published its report at 1:40 p.m. JST on 27 October. ABEMA’s official programme page and social post provide source pointers, but no measured worldwide viral reach. Neither the full episode nor the promotional clip was directly viewed for this article.[1][2][3][4]
Conclusion
The flying Hiyoko is a joke about a souvenir story growing into show-business folklore. The cake’s flight is unverified; the rumour certainly travelled.
References (8)
- [1] ORICON NEWS, 27 Oct 2026: https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2489077/full/
- [2] ABEMA official announcement, 1 Oct 2026: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000004049.000064643.html
- [3] ABEMA official show page: https://abema.tv/video/title/90-2067
- [4] ABEMA official social post, 23 Oct 2026; not independently viewed: https://x.com/ABEMA/status/2113580055234507122
- [5] Tokyo Banana official product information: https://www.tokyobanana.jp/language/en/products/28.html
- [6] Grapestone official brand history: https://info.grapestone.co.jp/archives/2011/10/20_1.html
- [7] Hiyoko Honpo Yoshinodo official history: https://www.hiyoko.co.jp/hiyoko/
- [8] Miyagi Prefecture official Eiko Kano interview: https://www.pref.miyagi.jp/site/miryoku/surprise12.html
