54 Best Japanese Snacks You Can Buy Online
by Teni Wada | LIFESTYLE
There’s no denying the global popularity of Japanese snacks, led primarily by a combination of quirkiness and unusual flavor pairings. With an dizzingying assortment of Japanese candy, chips, chocolate, and other nibbles available on the market, you might be unsure where to start, so we’ve taken out the guesswork for you. We present 54 of the most popular Japanese snacks divided into nine categories: Classic, Chocolate, KitKat, Savory, Healthy, Kids, Hard Candy, Gum and Snack Boxes.
If you’re looking to buy some Japanese snacks online, there’s definitely something on this list for you, all of which are available on Amazon. So get ready to explore the tasty world of Japanese treats!
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.
Classic Japanese Snacks
1. Himemaru Rice Crackers
Unlike traditional hard senbei which are essentially grilled rice cakes, age senbei are deep fried, wonderfully crunchy, and flavored with a rich soy sauce coating. Sure, the carb and fat intake might make you wince, but they are very delicious and pair well will green tea or an alcoholic beverage. The tricolor packaging references the colors of a curtain at a kabuki performance hall, making them an easily identifiable snack.
Himemaru Rice Crackers – Available at Amazon
2. Konpeito Sugar Candy
An charming sweet that’s sure to delight the senses, konpeito are tiny, colorful star-shaped pieces of rock candy that have a unique spot in Japanese history and culture. First introduced to Japan in the 16th century by Portuguese missionaries, nowadays konpeito can be found in a rainbow of colors and flavors, too.
Konpeito Sugar Candy – Available at Amazon
3. Ramune Soda Candy
Ramune is a carbonated drink associated with childhood, yukatas, and attending summer festivals on sweltering summer day. What makes these ramune candies so loved is the feeling of nostalgia that they evoke 40 years after their debut. The package is a faithful recreation of a ramune soda bottle, and the drink’s signature lemon-lime fizziness and powdery texture melts almost instantaneously in your mouth.
Ramune Soda Candy – Available at Amazon
4. Apollo Strawberry Chocolate
Apollo Chocolates are a retro Japanese candy treat that combine strawberry and chocolate, two satisfying flavors. The quirky pocket-sized box decked out in strawberries will transport you to the 1960s. Even the name, Apollo, and conical space capsules chocolates are a nod to the Space Age. These sweet delights will no doubt join the rank of timeless Japanese sweets in decades to come.
Apollo Strawberry Chocolate – Available at Amazon
5. Kaki no Tane Rice Cracker
A snack so simple, and yet so bold and flavorful, Kaki no Tane are crescent-shaped rice crackers that resemble persimmon seeds. Each packet also contains a hearty amount of peanuts, resulting in a crunchy treat that blends textures and seasonings.
Japanese Chocolate
6. Melty Kiss
Melty Kiss are individually wrapped cube-shaped chocolates with a velvety soft chocolate center and dusted in cocoa powder. As its name implies, Melty Kiss are delicate bites of chocolate that melt with the slightest hint of body heat, just as a snowflake melts when it gently grazes your skin.
Melty Kiss – Available at Amazon
7. Mint Chocolate Pocky
Among the Japanese candies with a dedicated fan base there is perhaps no other than Pocky! These long and slender biscuits are coated with chocolate, save for a few centimeters at the end so you can hold them without getting your fingers sticky. Pocky frequently comes out with limited edition flavors, and Mint Chocolate is a refreshingly cool seasonal twist on a classic that shouldn’t be overlooked!
Mint Chocolate Pocky – Available at Amazon
8. Bourbon Alfort
Alfort are rectangular shaped biscuits topped with a thick milk chocolate layer embossed with a tall ship at full sail. These nautical-themed chocolates are a romantic ode to life at sea in the age of sail when cacao beans and sugar were transported via merchant ships.
Bourbon Alfort – Available at Amazon
9. Lotte Toppo
Think of Toppo as the “inverse” to Pocky. Whereas Pocky are slender biscuits coated in chocolate, Toppo are crispy cylindrical biscuits with a chocolate filling. Another difference between the two is that unlike Pocky, you won’t have to worry about melted chocolate getting all over your fingers when munching on Toppo.
Lotte Toppo – Available at Amazon
10. Lotte Sasha
Sasha is perhaps one of the most delicious and decorative chocolates you’ll ever try. One box comes with 16 individually wrapped chocolate bites formed by weaving thin layers of milk chocolate and white chocolate in an intricate lattice pattern. Savor the sweetness of Sasha as you indulge in some well-deserved “me time.”
Lotte Sasha – Available at Amazon
11. Kinoko no Yama
Kinoko no Yama and its rival snack, Takenoko no Sato, take chocolate covered biscuits to a new level. Both sold by Meiji, Japan’s number one chocolate manufacturer, these snacks have transformed the humble mushroom and hearty bamboo shoot into snacks that frequently battle for the public’s love in creative ad campaigns.
Kinoko no Yama, the cute mushroom-shaped treat, have a smooth, cookie stem similar in texture to Pocky. They are topped with a generous chocolate cap, allowing the biscuit and chocolate to be savored separately or consumed in one bite.
Kinoko no Yama – Available at Amazon
12. Takenoko no Sato
If you opt to try Kinoko no Yama, do yourself a favor and try its rival, Takenoko no Sato. Unlike Kinoko no Yama, whose chocolate and biscuit can be enjoyed separately, these petite bamboo shoots are generously covered in chocolate. Moreover, dedicated fans of Takenoko no Sato insist that the texture of the cookie is different than that of its mushroom-shaped counterpart. There’s only one way to find out, and that’s with a taste test!
Takenoko no Sato – Available at Amazon
13. Strawberry Pocky
A cult hit that’s almost 45 years old, Glico’s Pocky is practically a gateway to other Japanese snacks due to its availability in overseas markets, where it may be sold under a variety of names. Each slender pretzel-like Pocky stick is dipped in a light coating of flavored chocolate and packaged in a cardboard box. Strawberry Pocky was released 10 years after Pocky first debuted in Japan and remains a best-selling flavor. There’s something irresistible about the harmony of crunch and smooth chocolate.
Japanese KitKat Flavors
14. Tokyo Banana KitKat
What do bananas have in common with the city of Tokyo? Well, that’s still up for debate, but Tokyo Banana are a popular souvenir consisting of a sponge cake with a banana custard filling. The chocolate coating of these Tokyo Banana KitKat feature the Tokyo Banana logo and come in a creamy yellow gift box inspired by the original Tokyo Banana packaging.
Tokyo Banana KitKat – Available at Amazon
15. Matcha Tiramisu KitKat
If you like matcha and tiramisu, you simply can’t pass up this opportunity to try this limited edition pairing: Matcha Tiramisu KitKat. The green tea flavor of the chocolate coating is rounded out by a smooth filling made with mascarpone cream powder and cream cheese powder.
Matcha Tiramisu KitKat – Available at Amazon
16. Sakura Masamune Daiginjo Sake KitKat
Sake infused chocolates are hardly “new” but what makes these Sakura Masamune Daiginjo Sake stand out is the quality of the sake used. Sakura Masamune is a premium sake brewer in Hyogo Prefecture that’s nearly 400 years old. Available exclusively in Japan’s western Kansai area, these KitKat have a subtle floral aroma that offset the sweetness of the chocolate.
Sakura Masamune Daiginjo Sake KitKat – Available at Amazon
17. Cafe Latte KitKat
When it comes to Japanese drinks, matcha and shake immediately come to mind, no doubt. However, Japan has a coffee culture deep rooted in its postwar recovery. These Cafe Latte KitKat are a nod to Japan’s booming coffee industry and will certainly attract coffee lovers around the globe, too!
Cafe Latte KitKat – Available at Amazon
18. Strawberry Cheesecake KitKat
Satisfy your cravings and Japan wanderlust with this special edition package of Strawberry Cheesecake KitKat adorned with an illustration of Tokyo in the springtime. The package itself is shaped like Mount Fuji, whose snow cap beautifully contrasts with the pink cherry blossom trees in full bloom. This gift box comes with 9 mini KitKat that give off a delightful strawberry aroma.
Strawberry Cheesecake KitKat – Available at Amazon
19. Matcha KitKat
Did you know that Nestlé has produced more than 300 KitKat flavor combinations for the Japanese market? However, the most popular Japanese chocolate flavor is still matcha, finely powdered green tea. In fact, 14 different kinds of matcha KitKat have been released! We recommend this version from its mature version. The subtle taste of matcha balanced with a delicate sweetness will keep you coming back for more.
Savory Japanese Snacks
20. Wasabi Beef Chips
When you’re craving something savory, crips are often the first item that hungry hands reach for. Satisfy yourself with a bag of wasabi beef chips, inspired by roast beef topped with horseradish. Let the kick of wasabi fill your nostrils as you relish the hearty meaty flavor filled with umami.
Wasabi Beef Chips – Available at Amazon
21. Seaweed Salt Chips
Norishio, or seaweed and salt, are perhaps one of Japan’s best-selling flavors of chips. As a matter of fact, these chips from Calbee are a Japan’s number one seaweed-flavored snack. Each crisp is coated with lightly salted chips accented with seaweed flakes. These crips are perfect for movie night but be warned -- you’ll need more than one bag to make it through to the end!
Seaweed Salt Chips – Available at Amazon
22. Aerial Cheese Corn Snack
If you’re looking to try something quirky, these pyramid-shaped, crunchy cheesy bites from Nabisco should do the trick! Aerial are cheesy, crunchy, and light corn snacks that don’t hold back when it comes to flavor. The cheddar cheese coating is woven into each of the snack’s four layers, releasing bold flavor as you chew.
Aerial Cheese Corn Snack – Available at Amazon
23. Jagariko Sticks
A fun way to satisfy your urge to munch, Jagariko are sure to become one of your favorite Japanese snacks! Packaged in a colorful cup and sealed with a foil lid, Jagariko are crunchy potato sticks with a soft core. As with many popular Japanese snack creations, Jagariko are available in limited edition, seasonal flavors. However, its most popular release is Salad, flavored with specks of carrots and parsley.
Jagariko Sticks – Available at Amazon
24. Jagabee Potato Sticks
Jagabee, another potato stick creation from crisps manufacturer Calbee, have a completely different texture than Jagariko and closely resemble fries. Unlike Jagariko, both the outer shell and inside of Jagabee are extra crunchy. Nevertheless, whether you’re #teamjagariko or #teamjagabee, there’s now denying how satisfying these snacks are!
Healthy Japanese Snacks
25. Hoshiume Dried Plums
The fragrant Japanese plum (or apricot as it is occasionally called), is associated with spring as they are plum blossom are among the first flowers to bloom in late winter. As the fruit is rather sour, and it is often processed before consumption. While one common form is umeboshi, a pickled plum often paired with white rice, hoshiume are slightly sweeter dried pickled plums. What’s more, they are seedless, making them a perfect snackin option. These hoshiume even come in a resealable bag so you can snack on the go.
Hoshiume Dried Plums – Available at Amazon
26. Almonds and Dried Fish
These tiny intact fish (sardines, to be exact) and almonds may not be what you’re used to when you’re craving something to munch on. But, if you‘re looking for healthy snack options, almond fish as they are commonly packaged in Japan, are worth trying. Slight sweet and coated in sesame seeds, almond fish often accompany alcoholic drinks. This unlikely Japanese snack combination is both moreish and rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin E.
Almonds and Dried Fish – Available at Amazon
27. Seaweed Strips
You’ll find various types of seaweed in Japanese cuisine. But one form of seaweed that makes an excellent healthy snack is nori, dried sheets of seaweed. While nori goes great with rice, their lightweight and crip texture paired with generous flavoring make them a great low-carb snack alternative to crisps or when you crave something salty.
Seaweed Strips – Available at Amazon
28. Soft Senbei
Senbei, hard rice crackers seasoned with soy sauce are a centuries-old treat in Japan often sold right off the grill at roadside stalls. Did we mention that they’re hard, as in tough as nails? Enter the soft senbei, like these Salad Senbei. These rice crackers break apart with ease, and their light flavoring, seasoned with oil and salt from Okinawa, add to their softness. Soft salad senbei come packaged in pairs, but you may find it difficult to stop at one pack!
Soft Senbei – Available at Amazon
29. Konjac Jerky
Konjac, devil's tongue, makes frequent appearances in Japan as a diet food due to its low calorie count and feeling of fullness after consumption. Free of additives and artificial flavoring, these strips of beef flavored konjac jerky contain only 24 calories per serving, making them an excellent choice for health-minded individuals.
Japanese Snacks for Kids
30. Umaibo Variety Pack
Kids can be incredibly hard to please, but you might be able to curb their restlessness with this assortment of 20 individually wrapped puffed corn snacks called Umaibo. Younger kids will enjoy flavors like pizza, corn, and cheese while older kids may appreciate the adventure in trying unique flavors like teriyaki burger, takoyaki (grilled octopus balls), and shrimp.
Umaibo Variety Pack – Available at Amazon
31. Hi-Chew
A smooth, taffy-like chewy Japanese candy that has the consistency of chewing gum, Hi-Chew are fruit-flavored delights that Japanese children love. Each pack of candies fits nicely in a pocket, backpack or lunchbox and can be enjoyed at any time as the chews are individually wrapped. The fruit Hi Chews taste remarkably like the real deal and these are sure to be a hit in your home
32. Happy Turn Rice Cakes
A crisp rice cracker coated with a generous dusting of an addictive sweet and salty soy sauce based powder, Happy Turn are a snack you'll want to keep stocked in your pantry. While the powdered coating make these a rather messy snack, there’s no denying that kids can’t get enough of its signature taste!
Happy Turn Rice Cakes – Available at Amazon
33. Caramel Corn Chips
A timeless treat parents and kids love, Tohato Caramel Corn Chips are curled corn puffs that are crispy, light, and oh-so-sweet. The peanut pieces usually make their way to the bottom of the bag, where they can be savored with the remaining caramel corn dust.
Caramel Corn Chips – Available at Amazon
34. Bakauke Senbei Pack
An assortment of rice crackers that the entire family is sure to love, Bakauke rice crackers hail from Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast, an area famed for its rice production. This assortment of 40 senbei feature five irresistible flavors and two different textures: the light and airy seaweed and soy sauce, corn soup, cheese, curry crackers; and deep-fried and crunchy sesame soy sauce crackers.
Japanese Hard Candy
35. UHA Mikakuto E-ma
UHA is known for its fun lineup of chewy gummy candies, but the brand has diversified its offerings with E-ma, throat lozenges. Unlike standard cough drops which tend to have an herbal or medicinal taste, E-ma are fruit flavored and contain lactoferrin to give the immune system an extra boost.
UHA Mikakuto E-ma – Available at Amazon
36. Kasugai Hakka (Peppermint Drops)
Did you know that up until the 1940, Japan produced nearly 70% of the world's mint? “Hakka” refers to Japanese mint, which contains a high amount of menthol, which is used to temporarily help relieve symptoms like sore throat and cough. You’ll definitely want to have several bags of Kasugai Hakka peppermint drops on hand to last you through cold and flu season!
Kasugai Hakka – Available at Amazon
37. Kasugai Sumiyaki Japanese Roasted Coffee Candy
After trying Cafe Latte KitKat you may be in the mood to try something with a bit of a kick. These Sumiyaki Coffee lozenges have a rich, robust aroma and smoky flavor that's guaranteed to satisfy your coffee cravings no matter the time of day.
Kasugai Sumiyaki Japanese Roasted Coffee Candy – Available at Amazon
38. Sakuma Matcha Milk Candy
Sakuma Matcha Milk Candy are a curious blend of flavors and textures. The smooth and creamy hard candy outer shell slowly dissolves to reveal a crunchy core that reminds you of the airy layers that make up a mille-feuille puff pastry.
Sakuma Matcha Milk Candy – Available at Amazon
39. Lotte Koume Candy
Ko Ume means “small (Japanese) plum,” and these small plum candies pack an incredibly potent punch. From its core made up of ume paste, a hard outer shell infused with ume, and its ume powder coating, there’s no way to escape the sweet, sour, and salty flavors. But, if you think you can handle these, see if you can handle the larger size that comes in each package!
Lotte Koume Candy – Available at Amazon
40. Moringa Caramel
Caramel, a western treat that arrived in Japan in the Meiji era (late 19th century), was first manufactured and sold in Japan by Morinaga in 1913. More than a century later, this easily recognizable yellow box of individually wrapped sweets continues to be the best-selling brand of Japanaese candy. While Morinaga has since released flavors such as azuki (red beans), matcha, and even yogurt, these chewy, milky delights are a favorite across generations.
Japanese Gum and Gummies
41. UHA Shigekix Sampler
If your quest for sour gummies leaves you disappointed, then you need to give UHA Shigekix gummies a try! These cone-shaped drops are covered in an eye-watering, super sour powder which gradually reveals its flavored center. This UHA Super Sour Shigekix Sampler comes with 4 full-sized resealable packages in Grape, Lemon, Soda (Cider), and Cola.
UHA Shigekix Sampler – Available at Amazon
42. UHA Kororo
UHA is known for its gummy candies (and gummy vitamins) and Kokoro is its line of premium gummies which use 100% real fruit juice. Not only do Kokoro grape gummies use real fruit juice and look like grapes, somehow it feels like you’re biting into an actual grape.
UHA Kororo – Available at Amazon
43. Otoko Ume Gummy
Ume, or Japanese plum, have fragrant blossoms but despite their enchanting aroma, the fruit is sour. And, when pickled, their sourness intensifies, making ume one of Japan’s most unique flavorings. Nobel Otoko Ume are firm, rectangular shaped gummies coated with ume powder and bursting with the sourness of ume at every bite.
Otoko Ume Gummy – Available at Amazon
44. Kabaya Pureral
Pureral is the portmanteau of “pure” and “natural,” and each cube is packed with real fruit concentrate and flavor which is enhanced by its two distinct textures. Pureral comes in a resealable package, but chances are once you try your first bite, it may be hard to stop!
Kabaya Pureral – Available at Amazon
45. Lotte Blueberry Gum
Blueberry seems like an unlikely candidate for a chewing gum flavor, but leave it to Lotte to turn fantasy into a tasty reality. A crowd pleaser since its debut, this gum balances the sweetness naturally found in blueberries without going overboard in either direction.
Lotte Blueberry Gum – Available at Amazon
46. Lotte Xylitol Moisture
Do you often find yourself with a dry mouth? If left untreated, chronic dry mouth can actually lead to bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease! Xylitol Moisture is a minty citrus flavored gum formulated with xylitol to stimulate your salivary glands and soothe dry month.
Lotte Xylitol Moisture – Available at Amazon
47. Lotte Plum Gum
You didn’t think we’d leave this off the list. There’s ume hard candies and ume gummies, so of course there’s bound to be ume flavored gum! Rounding out the sweet and tart taste of ume is shiso, a Japanese herb rich in umami.
Lotte Plum Gum – Available at Amazon
48. Lotte ACUO Green Mint Gum
How to speak with confidence everytime after eating or drinking? Just pop a piece of ACUO gum in your mouth and get to chewing! It's a line of minty fresh gum from Lotte formulated to keep your mouth fresh. Inside every piece of gum are tiny capsules that disperse mint and freshen your breath instantly.
Lotte ACUO Green Mint Gum – Available at Amazon
49. Lotte Xylish Hyper Cool Gum
Xylish Hyper Cool gum is so minty fresh you’ll immediately feel it in your sinuses and throat when you start to chew. Keep a bottle by your side for an instant jolt that will keep you alert as you work on a project or study. Not only will Xylish Hyper Cool keep you awake, it will also improve your oral health by protecting your teeth from harmful bacteria.
Japanese Snack Box
50. Sanrio Surprise
Explore the delicious delights of Japan alongside the global ambassador of kawaii, Sanrio’s mascot, Hello Kitty. The Hello Sanrio Surprise Box comes packed with sweet and savory treats -- cookies, crackers, candy, and soda -- and is sure to be an unexpected hit with the recipient.
Sanrio Surprise – Available at Amazon
51. Bokksu
Bokksu is a subscription service that delivers premium Japanese snacks and candies directly to your doorstep. Each month you’ll receive 20-25 different snacks, candies, cakes, and tea sourced from a variety of makers all over Japan. Each Bokksu comes with a pamphlet that explores each product and introduces special content on Japanese language and culture.
52. Samurai Dagashi Set
It’s safe to say that Japanese snacks and candies have achieved cult-like status among fans of Japanese pop culture along with adventurous snackers. But, if you’re new to Japanese sweets, the Samurai Dagashi Set is a great way to get familiar with classic candies that have paved the way for trendy treats.
Samurai Dagashi Set – Available at Amazon
53. Aggretsuko Candy Box
What food pairings make you tick? Find out when you open the Aggretsuko Mystery Snack Box! Featuring the heavy metal loving red panda and her coworkers, this themed snack and candy box is filled with treats perfect for munching on after a long, frustrating day.
Aggretsuko Snack Box – Available at Amazon
54. Sushi Candy Box
Suitable for young children and teens, the Sushi Candy Box comes with an assortment of 30 different Japanese candies, snacks, and cookies, all with a variety of textures and flavors. The Sushi Candy Box is ideal for birthdays and other special occasions, as well as epic streaming marathons!
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October 29, 2021 | Lifestyle, Shopping
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