This Local Chocolate Brand Is Opening Their First International Store in Japan

(SPOT.ph) There's no question that the Philippines produces some of the world's best chocolates. Just this year, several of our local chocolatiers won awards in the international circle, including Auro Chocolate, who received accolades at the 2018 Academy of Chocolate Awards in the U.K last July. They're also not done taking over the world stage just yet—next in their plans is their first international store opening in Tokyo, Japan on October 7.

Auro is all set to open their store in Tokyo!

Auro was founded by Mark Ocampo, who also serves as the brand's managing director, and Kelly Go. Both were inspired by a trip to an artisanal chocolate company in the United States, which sourced their cacao beans from Davao. Since then, Auro has created bean-to-bar, single-origin chocolate with beans sourced not just from Davao, but also all over Mindanao.

According to Ocampo, the Auro store in Tokyo will be offering their retail chocolate bars, like their Reserve Collection, which uses beans from South Cotabato, Saloy, and Paquibato. "But we are currently working on some products, too, specifically for the Japanese market," Ocampo shares in an email interview with SPOT.ph.

Auro Tokyo will be offering their retail bars, like these milk chocolate bars

The story of how Auro reached Tokyo is more proof of just how excellent our local chocolate is. "Our Japanese partners found us through social media and after coming to the Philippines and trying all the local chocolate available in the market, they chose our brand," says Ocampo. "They liked the quality and our story really resonated with them." Auro will also be hosting a special launch on November 5 so be sure to drop by if you're in the area.

Auro is opening a store at #2D Frenity House, 1-17-7 Uehara, Shibuya-Ku Tokyo, Japan.