LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mikawaya, maker of unique Japanese pastries and original creator of Mochi Ice Cream, has announced a contest on http://www.mochiicecream.com as well as on their Facebook fan page in which fans will compete to create the design for their upcoming line of exquisite premium ice cream known as "Exottics." Entries will be judged by Mikawaya management and the winner's concept(s) will be used for the packaging of all the Exottics products. The contest will further fan interaction online and raise awareness of this new high-end line of ice cream while at the same time giving fans the opportunity to be a part of the process.

As President of Mikawaya, Frances Hashimoto explains, "We're excited to give fans the opportunity to be involved in the design process of our upcoming line of premium ice cream. We very much look forward to seeing the creative submissions."

Contest submissions will be accepted August 15, 2011 through October 15, 2011, which gives participants 2 full months to create a winning design. Grand prize winner will be awarded a 64GB Apple iPad, while 1st place and 2nd place winners will receive a Wacom Intuos4 Pen Tablet and a $50 Blick Art Materials gift card, respectively, perfect prizes for Mikawaya's creative fan base.

Mikawaya Exottics Ice Cream is planned to hit stores in 2nd quarter 2012 while Mikawaya Mochi Ice Cream coupons and online purchase are available at http://www.mochiicecream.com (bulk orders are available for restaurants, grocery stores or other vendors). Mochi Ice Cream can also be found in grocery stores, such as Trader Joe's, Safeway, Gelson's, Bristol Farms, Andronico's, and select Albertson's, Ralph's, Jensen's and HOWS Markets. For more information on Mochi Ice Cream or the viral video contest, please call Nurit Kotick at 626-768-7602 or visit http://www.mochiicecream.com.

Mikawaya is a 100-year-old family-run business that specializes in the creation of fine Japanese pastries and desserts. Run by Frances Hashimoto and her husband Joel Friedman, Mikawaya offers snack and dessert-lovers alike an alternative to traditional ice cream. Mochi Ice Cream combines a well-known and loved dessert, ice cream, with a chewy, marshmallow-type dough.

Press Contact: Nurit Kotick, 626.768.7602, nuritk@kotick.com

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SOURCE Mikawaya USA