45 Best Japanese Candy You Can Buy on Amazon
by Teni Wada | LIFESTYLE
Looking for new and tasty ways to treat yourself as you gear up for another weekend streaming session? We’ve rounded up 45 of the best Japanese candy that is guaranteed to satisfy your cravings along with your Japan wanderlust. On this list, you’ll find a tasty assortment popular Japanese snacks arranged by type: gummy candies, KitKat, more chocolate, hard candies, and chewing gum. Each entry reflects more than a century of contemporary Japanese confectionery and chocolate manufacturing.
Here’s your chance to indulge in traditional flavors unique to Japan, like dried plum, green tea, yuzu fruit, and black sugar along with incomparable treats like ramune. Happy snacking!
Our editors independently researched and recommend the best products. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links at no additional cost to you.
Gummies
1. Botan Rice Candy
What’s not to like about Botan Rice Candy? They’re soft, chewy, have an indescribable fruit taste, and come wrapped in rice paper that dissolves in your mouth. For some reason, the package is decorated in an art style that’s typically reserved for Buddhist imagery, which simply adds to the “otherworldliness” of this unique candy. Each box comes with six gummies and a collectable sticker.
Botan Rice Candy – Available at Amazon
2. Fuwarinka Rose Gummies
Fuwarinka Rose Gummies have a firm outer shell which breaks away to reveal a chewy fruit center that’s punctured with a romantic rose scent. As the rose is the symbol of beauty, it’s no surprise that these rose gummies are packed with collagen, the building block of healthy skin, hair, and nails. Fuwarinka Rose Gummies also contain Vitamin C which aids collagen absorption.
Fuwarinka Rose Gummies – Available at Amazon
3. Premium Hi-Chew
Hi-Chew is Japan’s best-selling brand of soft candy. They’re marketed as “sensationally chewy fruit candy” and each bite is bursting with fruity goodness.You’ll find Hi-Chew in a variety of flavors, but grape is a classic that always delivers, especially when infused with real grape juice like Hi-Chew Premium. Unlike standard Hi-Chew which come individually wrapped in a slim, rectangular bar, Premium Hi-Chew are not individually wrapped and come in a resealable package.
Premium Hi-Chew – Available at Amazon
4. Sakeru Gummies
Sakeru in Japanese means to split or to tear apart and Sakeru Gummy candies are meant to be eaten in a fashion similar to string cheese! Gently pull apart each Sakeru Gummy along the grooves and savor each piece. Or, you can simply cut to the chase and pop an entire gummy into your mouth!
Sakeru Gummies – Available at Amazon
5. Long Sakeru Gummies
When it comes to tasty and innovative candies, you know Japan will always deliver, and that’s especially true with these extra long Sakeru Gummies. Measuring 40cm / 16 inches long, they are perhaps the longest gummy candies on the market! Get creative with your Sakeru Gummy with pirate swordplay, or by making imaginative string creations. There’s no limit to the fun that’s to be had with this tasty treat.
Long Sakeru Gummies – Available at Amazon
6. Kasugai Soda Flavor Tsubu Gumi Jelly Beans
Experience the world of classic Japanese beverages with Tsubu Gumi jelly beans. This particular selection features five different flavors of carbonated drinks: cola, grape soda, energy drink, white soda, and pop. While cola, grape soda, and energy drink are perhaps straightforward flavors, white soda has a taste that is similar to cider or lemon-lime drinks. The ice blue pop jelly beans are ramune, a lemon-lime carbonated drink that is the unofficial beverage of summer in Japan. There are plenty of Tsubu Gumi Jelly Beans to share in one package, but they’re so good that they don’t last long in my house! Trust me, you’ll want to have a few packages on hand, especially if you have little ones.
Soda Flavor Jelly Beans – Available at Amazon
7. Kanro Puré
Puré are adorable heart-shaped gummy candies covered in a generous coating of sour granules. However, you might discover a lucky star shape in your package! Beneath the firm exterior is a chewy, fruit puree center that provides a deliciously addictive contrast of textures and tastes. Popular flavors include tangerine, muscat, and lemon, but there’s something about grape Puré that earns it my vote. Puré gummies come in a resealable package, but once you’ve had your first bite, you may very well end up with an empty bag in no time!
Kanro Pure – Available at Amazon
8. Puchao Fruit Assortment
Puchao are a curious mix of firm, taffy bites that yield way to chewy, spherical gummy bits in the center, resulting in a flavorful mix of textures. Unlike most taffy candy, Puchao do not melt easily, making them an ideal sweet choice for hot and humid days. This variety pack of Puchao is an assortment of fruit flavors— grape, mango, strawberry and melon— that is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Each Puchao is individually wrapped for convenience and its slim package fits easily in your pocket.
Puchao Fruit Assortment – Available at Amazon
9. Bourbon Fettuccine
No doubt you’ve been told countless times, “No dessert before dinner,” but Bourbon Fettuccine is a way for you to break the rules without any of the guilt! Named fettuccine due to its resemblance to the flat, thick pasta of Tuscan cuisine, this is one candy that will let you have your dinner and cake at once! Well, not really, but these al dente fruit gummy strips lightly coated with a tart dust are sure to become a favorite. Fettuccine is available in a variety of flavors like cola, grape, cider, and lemon, but I’m a fan of the tasty peach.
Bourbon Fettuccine – Available at Amazon
10. Kasugai Yuzu Gummies
Yuzu is an aromatic citrus fruit that makes frequent appearances as a garnish in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisine, desserts, and drinks. But, if you’ve never tried yuzu fruit before, then I recommend these yuzu flavored gummies from Kasugai! While you won’t be able to reap all the health benefits of yuzu with these gluten-free gummies, you’ll certainly fall in love with its tart and tangy taste. These disc-like gummies have an incredibly soft texture and are packed with flavor right down to center. Kasugai gummies are made with real fruit juice, so after you’ve tried yuzu, it’s time to try another flavor!
KitKat
11. Yuzu Sake KitKat
What do you get when you combine the tastes of the yuzu fruit, sake, and the classic chocolate wafer treat known as KitKat? A tasty fusion of creamy white chocolate and tangy citrus accented with a crisp crunch and the sweet fragrance of Japanese rice wine that will have you eagerly awaiting your next bite.
Yuzu Sake KitKat – Available at Amazon
12. Wasabi KitKat
Wasabi-flavored chocolate seems like it would probably be on a list of forbidden food pairings, but these fun-sized Wasabi KitKat are surprisingly good. These are region-exclusive KitKat made with wasabi, which grows plentifully in Shizuoka Prefecture. Rather than packing a powerful punch of wasabi that hits you in the nose, Wasabi KitKat have a very subtle taste and make a great novelty gift.
Wasabi KitKat – Available at Amazon
13. Deep Matcha KitKat
For matcha lovers who can’t get enough of Japan’s signature ingredient, there’s Deep Matcha, which is twice as intense as regular matcha KitKat. It’s made with Uji matcha which is rich in polyphenols. The textured chocolate coating is made with both matcha paste and ground matcha tea leaves, resulting in a bittersweet taste rich with matcha goodness.
Deep Matcha KitKat – Available at Amazon
14. Hojicha KitKat
These limited edition Hojicha KitKat are exclusive to Kyoto Prefecture, where Kyuemon Ito has established itself as Japan’s premier matcha producer. Hojicha is roasted green tea that’s known for its sensual aroma and deep, woody undertones. Paired with creamy smooth white chocolate, this is one KitKat flavor that's sure to leave a lasting impression.
Hojicha KitKat – Available at Amazon
15. Sweet Potato KitKat
Beni imo are sweet potatoes from Japan’s tropical Okinawa Prefecture, which frequently make their way into local cuisine and edible souvenirs. While they share similarities with other purple root vegetables like taro and ube, beni imo are sweet potatoes and a renowned superfood with a vibrant violet hue, which gives these KitKat their lovely lavender tone.
Sweet Potato KitKat – Available at Amazon
16. Sakura KitKat
A KitKat flavor that is bound to become your favorite, Sakura KitKat have reached almost legendary status among global Japanese snack aficionados. From the heartfelt seasonal packaging, to its charming pink color to its enchanting aroma, Sakura KitKat are a sweet snack that will surely have you dreaming of Japan.
Sakura KitKat – Available at Amazon
17. Sake KitKat
Exclusive to the Kansai region of Japan are these Masamune Daiginjo Sake that come specially packaged in a gift box. These white chocolate KitKat are infused with sake brewed by Masamune Daiginjo for more than 400 years.
Sake KitKat – Available at Amazon
18. Ume KitKat
Green colored KitKat might have you thinking you’re about to take a bite into matcha infused white chocolate, but be careful! Ume KitKat have a crisp tartness that comes from ume powder infused in the chocolate and cream between the wafers. Each bite tastes just like ripened ume fruit that you’ll find in Japan in the form of umeboshi (pickled plums) and umeshu (plum liquor).
Ume KitKat – Available at Amazon
19. Onsen Manju KitKat
Onsen Manju are steamed buns with a soft brown exterior and a sweet red bean filling that you usually find at Japanese hot spring resorts. To recreate these buns in the form of a KitKat, Onsen Manju KitKat have a golden brown chocolate coating and sweet red bean cream between the wafers. The packaging even has onsen-related iconography, such as a washing tub and towel, and the symbols for onsen.
Onsen Manju KitKat – Available at Amazon
20. Pudding KitKat
Japanese caramel custard pudding is called purin and is very similar to flan, or creme caramel. KitKat may seem like an an odd form for the wobbly dessert, but leave it to Nestle Japan to work out all the fine details. The creme caramel flavor is not infused with the white chocolate, but rather it is kept in the cream between the wafers of the Pudding KitKat.
More Chocolate
21. Matcha Chocolate Covered Almonds
Meiji Matcha Chocolate Covered Almonds are an intriguing combination that’s sure to get you hooked. This blend of premium uji matcha and roasted almonds wrapped in chocolate is a savory snack that makes a lovely addition to a gift basket or for treating yourself.
Matcha Chocolate Covered Almonds – Available at Amazon
22. Meiji Chocolate Macadamia Nuts
Meiji Chocolate Macadamia Nuts are similar to Meiji Chocolate Almonds, where a whole roasted macadamia nut is encased in a generous coating of milk chocolate. However, macadamia nuts have a subtle sweetness and creamy texture that pairs well with Meiji’s signature smooth milk chocolate.
Meiji Chocolate Macadamia Nuts – Available at Amazon
23. Choco Baby
Who knew that itty bitty pieces of milk chocolate could be so darn cute? Choco Baby are small, cylindrical chocolate pellets that will certainly test your willpower. They come in a clear, resealable dispenser, but for how long will you be able to resist these bites of delicious chocolatey goodness?
Choco Baby – Available at Amazon
24. Apollo Strawberry Chocolate
Named for their appearance to the Apollo 11 reentry capsule, Apollo Strawberry Chocolate are a nostalgic sweet treat which debuted a month after the iconic moon landing. These two-tiered chocolate bites have a milk chocolate and strawberry chocolate layer. If you’re lucky, you might even find a star shape in your box!
Apollo Strawberry Chocolate – Available at Amazon
25. Marble
Marble are bites of chocolate covered in colorful chocolate shells beloved by Japanese children and adults since 1961. This rainbow assortment of chocolates contains 7 different colors and if you look carefully, some of the candies have cute characters printed on them! Marble come packaged in a slim cardboard tube, making them the perfect chocolate snack for snacking when you’re on the go!
26. Dars White Chocolate
A chocolate “bar” without the mess, Dars is pre-divided into 12 perfectly portioned bites, making it Japan’s most popular easy-to-share chocolate. Plus, each box is resealable, so you’ll be able to treat yourself and others throughout the day. Dars was launched in 1993, nearly a century after its parent company, Morinaga, became Japan’s very first bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer. Today, Dars is available in milk chocolate and bitter chocolate, but creamy white chocolate is a must-try.
Dars White Chocolate – Available at Amazon
27. Meiji Almonds
You may wonder, “What’s so special about these chocolate coated nuts that I need to try this Japanese chocolate brand?” Well, allow me to explain! Inside each Meiji Almond bite is a perfectly intact, roasted almond with a slight caramel taste covered in an evenly smooth coating of rich milk chocolate that’s neither too sweet nor too bitter. Each box comes with protective padding to ensure that your precious cargo lasts throughout the day. Loved in Japan since 1962, Meiji Almond is a classic that’s sure to become your favorite, too.
Meiji Almonds – Available at Amazon
28. Koala’s March
Before you crunch into one of these crispy cookie and creamy chocolate koalas, take a moment to enjoy its kawaii composition. Inside each box of Koala March is a whimsical assortment of koala designs featuring the brand’s mascot, March. According to Lotte, the manufacturer of Koala March, more than 600 koala designs have been produced since the cookie’s inception. However, there are currently 365 koala designs in production. Among the varieties of koalas you'll meet on your snack adventure are koalas engaging in various professions, sports, and even koalas representing each of Japan’s 47 prefectures.
Koala’s March – Available at Amazon
29. Black Thunder
Craving something crispy, crunchy, and chocolatey in a convenient snack size packaging for when you’re on the go? How about Black Thunder, the chocolate-coated cookie bar with rice puffs that promises a “delicious taste in a flash of lightning?” Inspired by Raijin, the Japanese thunder deity, Black Thunder no doubt delivers when it comes to crunchy satisfaction, Black Thunder first hit the Japanese market in 1994 and quickly became a favorite across consumer demographics. In fact, Black Thunder is such a popular chocolate snack that McDonald’s Japan even debuted a Black Thunder Mc Flurry in June 2020.
Black Thunder – Available at Amazon
30. Meiji Assorted Mini Chocolate Bars
Attention all chocoholics! Taste the best of Japanese chocolate bars with this variety pack of assorted mini chocolate bars. Featuring fun sizes of the brand’s chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate bars, you’re sure to fall in with this crowd-pleasing selection from Japan’s number one chocolate manufacturer. The rich dark chocolate (black) satisfies without a bitter aftertaste, while the “hi” milk chocolate (red) is very creamy and sweet, due to the high concentration of milk. Milk chocolate (brown) is the brand’s flagship product, in production since the 1920s with little change to its original recipe.
Hard Candies
31. Chelsea Yogurt Scotch
Chelsea Yogurt Scotch Candy are hard candies that are a unique cross between butterscotch and yogurt. Its smooth, tangy taste is unforgettable! Each smooth candy comes wrapped individually in a retro print wrapper that matches the outer packaging.
Chelsea Yogurt Scotch – Available at Amazon
32. Ramune
One of the flavors closely associated with summer in Japan is ramune, based on a carbonated lemon-lime drink sold since the late 19th century. These Morinaga Ramune candies are packaged in a container that looks exactly like a ramune bottle and will have you yearning to don a yukata and dance the night away.
33. Flower’s Kiss Candy
Calling all romantics! One Japanese candy you should definitely try is Flower’s Kiss Candy. This fruity hard candy comes individually wrapped in a colorful pouch that is beautifully decorated with a flower illustration, its Japanese pronunciation, symbolism, and the lucky day for each flower.
Flower’s Kiss Candy – Available at Amazon
34. Janjaka Soda Candies
Janjaka Soda Candies are round, hard candies that pack plenty of fizz into one tiny piece! Unlike hard candies with a fizzy center, Janjaka Soda Candies have a fizzy coating on the outside as well, Choose from 8 flavors based on carbonated beverages: grape, apple, ramune, peach, melon, orange, cola, and lemon.
Janjaka Soda Candies – Available at Amazon
35. Kompeito
Portuguese missionaries introduced kompeito to Japan in the 16th century, and centuries later, these tiny, star-shaped sugar candies have earned a rock-solid place in the history of Japanese confectionery. This rainbow assortment of konpeito come in individual packages that can be distributed as-is or rearranged in candy gift jars or party favors.
Kompeito – Available at Amazon
36. Otoko Ume Candy
Ume, or Japanese plums, are the first signal of spring and are a staple of Japanese cuisine. You might be familiar with its forms, umeshu (plum liquor), and umeboshi, pickled plums with a sour punch, but ume-flavored candies should not be overlooked! Otoko Ume Candy is one such confectionery, and rather than sweet satisfaction, you’ll get nothing but salty sourness. Despite using the character for man, Otoko Ume Candy can be enjoyed by all — if you can handle the concentrated ume flavor that’s packed into one lozenge-type candy. Each candy contains the juice of one entire ume fruit, so it’s like you’re really eating the real thing!
Otoko Ume Candy – Available at Amazon
37. Ryukakusan Herbal Drops
If you’re no stranger to controversy and love stir up a bit of drama, why not suck on a few Ryukakusan herbal lozenges at work? Ryukakusan is a popular line of throat lozenges that made the newsrounds in 2018 after Yuka Ogata, a councilwoman from Kumamoto Prefecture was removed from a session of the city assembly. Why? All because she dared to soothe her irritated throat with one of Japan’s most tried-and-true methods, Ryukakusan cough drops! Whether Ogata’s sore throat was alleviated was not discussed in follow-up news reports, but one can imagine that the minty blend of 19 herbal extracts did the trick.
Ryukakusan Herbal Drops – Available at Amazon
38. Sakuma Drops
A nostalgic treat packed in a metal tin, Sakuma Drops are a classic Japanese candy in production since 1908. The hard candy pieces are made with real fruit juice and come in orange, lemon, apple, grape, strawberry and pineapple flavors. Each drop is lightly covered in sugar dust to prevent the pieces from sticking together while the tin can protects the candies from melting during Japan’s humid summers . While loved in Japan for more than a century, production of Sakuma Drops once halted during World War II due to sugar rationing, and Sakuma Drops play a pivotal role in Studio Ghibli’s anti-war film, Grave of Fireflies, as featured on this commemorative tin.
Sakuma Drops – Available at Amazon
39. Kanro Kin no Milk
If you’re not quite ready to explore the seemingly bizarre world of Japanese candies and confections, then Kin no Milk may be right up your alley. The luxurious golden packaging is reminiscent of butter candies, but the taste is anything but. Kin no Milk are hard candies made with fresh cream produced in Japan’s dairy region of Hokkaido, and are a deliciously sophisticated, smooth, and creamy take on soft milk candies popular throughout Asia. Kin no Milk is Japan’s best-selling milk candy and for good reason: This cream has been specially selected so that you can savor the pure taste and goodness of Hokkaido’s dairy industry in a tiny treat.
Kanro Kin no Milk – Available at Amazon
40. Kuro Ame
An unlikely contender for candy I never knew I needed, Kuro Ame, literally means black candy and is essentially a smooth, hardened lump made from brown sugar harvested in Japan’s southern Okinawan isles. Often found in the candy dishes of grandparents across Japan, Kuro Ame is a classic treat loved since the mid-19th century. You’ll love its strong, smokey molasses taste that delivers just a hint of bitterness. And, if you’re feeling under the weather, Kuro Ame is also a surprisingly effective way to soothe an irritated throat!
Gum
41. Marukawa Bubble Gum
If you’re a child at heart (or have children of your own), there’s no doubt that this assortment of chewing gum from Marukawa will add a bit of fun to your day. A post-war childhood staple in Japan, Marukawa gum is what is known as dagashi, inexpensive candy that is wrapped and sold individually. This package contains 50 mini boxes of gum and each box contains four pieces of gum. The grapefruit, strawberry, orange, cola, and grape flavored gum has a unique texture that stays soft and releases flavor as you chew. Whether you choose to share with your team at the office, among classmates, or just as sugary treats for your home candy dish, there’s plenty of gum, and fun, to go around!
Marukawa Bubble Gum – Available at Amazon
42. Lotte Oral Care Gum
A chewing gum designed to improve dental hygiene, Lotte Oral Care Gum draws its sweetness from xylitol, a natural, fructose-free sugar substitute with 40% less calories. Xylitol is a key ingredient in the fight against tooth decay, and Lotte Oral Care Gum is one dental hygiene product you’ll want to have on hand. Chew 1 to 2 tablets for 5 to 10 minutes a day after a meal as a part of your new daily dental hygiene routine. The pocket-sized resealable package fits nicely in your backpack, purse, or pocket so you can take Lotte Oral Care Gum with you whenever you’re on the go.
Lotte Oral Care Gum – Available at Amazon
43. Recaldent Grape Gum
If you have a habit of buying and forgetting gum, only to encounter stale, shapeless sticks once you remember where you placed it, you’ll definitely want to try this gum from Recaldent. It comes in tablet form with a firm outer shell to ensure that it retains its shape. What’s more, the sturdy plastic container is durable enough to withstand bumps, fall, and temperature changes along the way. Recaldent is also approved by the Japan Dental Association and contains xylitol, a natural, fructose-free sweetener that contains 40% less calories than sugar.
P.S. those mini sticky notes inside your bottle of Recaldent are actually for discreetly disposing of your used gum!
Recaldent Grape Gum – Available at Amazon
44. Black Black Gum
Black Black is a minty, caffeinated chewing gum you’re sure to remember, if not for its distinct taste and curious color. There’s no doubt that its eyebrow-raising product name and quirky marketing phrases like “Yes, Chewing!” and “Hi-technical excellent taste and flavor,” has helped Black Black earn its place in Japanese pop culture. Further cementing its iconic status is its advertising campaigns with action stars Jean Claude Van Damme and Kenshiro from the anime/manga, Fist of the North Star.
Black Black Gum – Available at Amazon
45. Stride Endless Mint Gum
Stride is a brand of long-lasting, sugarless gum that debuted in 2010, making it a relative newcomer to Japanese shelves in comparison to the entries on this list. A favorite among its target demographic of teens and young adults, Stride has three layers that enhance the gum’s flavor retention and chewing texture. The slim, fold packaging resembles a wallet, and easily fits in a pocket, clutch or crossbody bag without adding unsightly bulk. While Stride has released several flavors throughout its short run, you can’t go wrong with Endless Mint, a twist on peppermint that will keep you feeling fresh.
JO SELECTS offers helpful suggestions, and genuine recommendations for high-quality, authentic Japanese art & design. We know how difficult it is to search for Japanese artists, artisans and designers on the vast internet, so we came up with this lifestyle guide to highlight the most inspiring Japanese artworks, designs and products for your everyday needs.
All product suggestions are independently selected and individually reviewed. We try our best to update information, but all prices and availability are subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, Japan Objects earns from qualifying purchases.
RELATED JAPANESE LIFESTYLE
MOST POPULAR
LIFESTYLE | July 28, 2023