Best Japanese Snacks To Try (2024)

Japanese food culture is unlike any in the world. In between bowls of delicious ramen and tasty teppanyaki, Eric and I love to snack on all sorts of Japanese snacks. Some have become favorites of ours, others will never try again. Our ultimate list of the best Japanese snacks to try when traveling to Japan or buying online. Our list includes both sweet and savory Japanese treats.

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Where To Buy Japanese Snacks Online

Not everyone can travel to Japan, although we do recommend it. Over the years it has become one of our favorite places to travel for food. We continue to find new destinations within Japan to learn more about the food.

Most recently, we traveled to Wakayama and Sapporo, which are known for some tasty Japanese treats. When visiting Japan, these treats and snacks make some of the best souvenirs too.

If a flight to Japan is not in the cards, it’s relatively easy to buy some of the most popular snacks in Japan online.

One of the best places to order Japanese snack foods online is actually Amazon. From potato chips, and hard candy to gummies, almost every snack, treat, or candy on our list can be found on Amazon.

Want to learn more about Japanese food? Check out these posts about eating in Japan:

Dotonbori Food Guide – The Best Osaka Street Food

Kyoto Food Guide – What To Eat In Kyoto

15 Of The Best Japanese Snacks

Here are our recommendations for the top Japanese snacks to try, either by ordering them online or finding them in Japan. You can buy many of these snack foods as souvenirs at the airport with easy access, although the prices will be higher.

The best place to shop in Japan is to look for Japanese snacks at 7-Eleven, or other convenience stores like Circle K or Lawson. Even better, look for a full-sized supermarket where the options are greater and prices are lower.

Interesting in learning about unique snacks? Check out our recommendations for the Best Korean Snacks To Try.

Pocky

Who wants potato chips, when there’s Pocky? Our personal, #1 favorite Japanese snack is Pocky. Since 1966 Pocky has been one of the most popular snacks in Japan.

A long, thin biscuit covered in dark chocolate,Pocky Japanese Snackscome in a variety of flavors including green tea, honey, and our personal favorite chocolate banana.

Pocky’s popularity has spread outside of Japan to most of Asia, Europe, and even North America. Its size makes it the perfect snack to take while traveling, especially during long bus or train rides.

Lotte Koala’s March

First launched in 1984,Lotte Koala’s Marchis as tasty as they are adorable. The Lotte company is a South Korean hotel brand, but the Lotte candies and snacks are super popular in Japan too.

These bite-sized snack cookies come in over 10 flavors. The most popular flavors are strawberry (our favorite) and dark chocolate. If you want to try something different, keep an eye out for the caffe latte and soft ice cream versions.

Koala’s March is handy to keep around for a quick snack or when traveling. Best of all, the company helps support the Australian Koala Foundation. These have to be some of the cutest Japanese snacks.

Hello Panda Cookies

Another option for cute Japanese snacks,Hello Panda Cookiesfeatures a cream-filled center wrapped in a sweet shortbread cookie crust.

First appearing in Japan in 1979, Hello Panda Cookies are available in a wide range of cream fillings including vanilla, double chocolate, and the ever-popular green matcha tea.

Thanks to their shortbread crust, Hello Panda Cookies are rather filling compared to other Japanese cookie snacks. You can find them in supermarkets as well as convenience stores like Lawsons and 7-Eleven all across Japan.

Pretz by Glico

From the same company that makes Pocky,Pretzare thin, salty, pretzel-like sticks making them a popular Japanese savory snack. They are made by Glico, the company that has the famous runner man fluorescent advertisem*nt in Osaka

Instead of being dipped in chocolate like Pocky, Pretz is covered in various seasonings. The number of available flavors of Pretz is mindblowing.

This is one of our favorite things about them. There’s a flavor to match all tastes at all times. Some of the more unique include “Roast,” “Purple Potato,” and of course, “Spicy Squid.”Try finding these flavors with ordinary potato chips.

Japanese Kit Kat

For many travelers to Japan, including Eric and me, these are the best Japanese candy to try when in the country. There are over 300 varieties of Kit Kat available in Japan. That’s right 300!!!

First introduced in 1973,Japanese Kit Kathas surpassed Japan’s Meiji Chocolate as the top chocolate brand in the country. Some of the 300 flavors make sense like Strawberry Kit Kat. After all, who doesn’t love chocolate and strawberries?

Others make you stop and think if that should even exist like Corn Kit Kat, Ginger Ale Kit Kat, and Cantaloupe Kit Kat. Then there are the uniquely Japanese flavors like Green Matcha KitKat, Edamame, and best of all, Sake Kit Kat. Exploring these different flavors is always fun when you are exploring Japan.

Wasabi Peas

Fewer food items are more quintessentially Japanese than wasabi. Most commonly associated withsushi, wasabi is similar to horseradish.

It has a potent taste that many love and just as many dislike. Given the creative nature of food producers in Japan, it was only a matter of time before wasabi peas were invented.

Wasabi peasare the perfect Japanese spicy snack for those who enjoy the heat. We love them with a cold beer. In the United States, spicy corn nuts would be the closest comparison, but no other food snack can compare to Japanese wasabi peas.

Senbei

These Japanese rice crackers have a long history dating back to 700 AD. Originally brought to Japan from China, rice crackers have been the traditional welcome treat for guests.

Today,senbeican be enjoyed at all times and are far different from the original. Baked, not fried, senbei are free from cholesterol and gluten and suitable for vegetarians. This makes them the perfect Japanese healthy snacks.

Like many traditional Japanese snacks, senbei comes in a variety of flavors including kimchi, wasabi, and curry. Eric and I disagree on the best flavored rice crackers. For him it’s the wasabi rice crackers, for me, the curry rice crackers.

We first started eating senbei when we lived in Bali. They were a nice snack to have at home or when we’d go on a road trip. Although you’ll need something to drink to wash them down, they are one of the best Japanese rice cracker brands.

Kaki No Tane

Take cut pieces of senbei (soy-flavored rice crisps), add in some peanuts and what do you have?Kaki no tane. A popular Japanese bar snack usually enjoyed with beer, Kaki No Tane is the Japanese equivalent of an American bar snack mix.

It can be difficult to find at bars in Japan. If you want to try Kaki No Taine, you are better off heading to a supermarket or convenience store like Lawson or 7-Eleven. Kaki No Tane comes in a variety of flavors like wasabi and pepper.

Dorayaki

Invented in Tokyo in 1914,Dorayakiis another Japanese sweet snack food to try. Two pancake-like layers of castella (sponge cake) sandwich a filling made from azuki (red) bean paste.

Not being a fan of azuki bean paste, this is not a particularly favorite Japanese snack for us but it’s super popular with locals and tourists alike. Regional variations of dorayaki can be found throughout Japan. In Kansai, a slightly larger version called mikasa is popular.

Manju

Another Japanese snack using azuki bean paste isManju. Made using flour, rice powder, and buckwheat, Manju is very similar to the ever-popular mochi. Manju and mochi share a similar size and texture. They are both filled and come in a variety of flavors.

It’s believed that Manju was brought to Japan from China back in the early 1300s. Unlike mochi, Manju is not frozen but rather kept at room temperature making them a more convenient Japanese snack food than mochi.

HI-CHEW

If you love chewy fruit candies, then look no further than HI-CHEW. One of the most popular candies in Japan, HI-CHEW comes in a wide range of flavors.

What makes HI-CHEW different from other fruit candies, is its unique double-layer structure. This supposedly gives it a real fruit taste.

You’ll find HI-CHEW in supermarkets and convenience stores throughout Japan. HI-CHEW flavors include mango, grape, strawberry, and Sweet & Sour.

Daif*cku

If you are looking for good luck, eatdaif*cku. The name literally translates to “good luck” in Japanese. A culinary cousin of mochi balls, daif*cku are small round glutinous rice cakes.

Often served with green tea, these Japanese tea snacks are stuffed with azuki bean paste. In addition to the azuki bean paste, daif*cku are stuffed with a variety of fillings including apricots, chestnuts (my favorite), or creme caramel.

Historically, daif*cku were given as gifts at special ceremonies. Today they are easy to find in shops and supermarkets to be enjoyed any day of the week.

Arare

Made from glutinous rice and seasoned with soy sauce,Arareis a bite-sized Japanese rice cracker snack. Cut to look like snow pellets, Arare comes in numerous shapes and sizes. Arare is enjoyed like Kaki No Tane, as a bar or a Japanese beer snack.

Fear not, there’s no need to visit a bar to enjoy Arare. They are sold all over Japan. Every March 3rd, Arare is consumed to commemorate the Doll Festival in Japan. During this special occasion, the Arare are colored in bright shades of pink, yellow, and light green.

Japanese Kanro Pure Gummy

The Japanese have a profound enjoyment of all things sour. You’ll find sour-flavored hard candy and gummies and everything in between. Gummies are very popular across Japan and can easily be found in any supermarket or convenience store.

If you can name the flavor, odds are you’ll find that flavor in a gummy. TheJapanese Kanro Gummyhas to be one of the most popular Japanese candy brands.

Japanese Dagashi

The Japanese equivalent to American “penny candy,”dagashiis designed and marketed to Japanese children. Dating as far back as the 17th century, dagashi has evolved from simple corn treats to today’s modern array of treats.

Everything from the packaging of dagashi, cost (as low as $0.20), and location of stores, usually near schools, is targeted at children. The types of dagashi are virtually endless. Everything from chewing gum, hard candy, and even ramen can be considered dagashi.

Umaibo

One of the more unique Japanese snacks isumaibo. Translated to “delicious stick,” umaibo is a small, puffed, cylindrical corn snack. For me, it’s like an empty Mexican flauta.

Similar to nearly every Japanese snack, umaibo come in a variety of flavors, both sweet and savory. Some of the more popular flavors include cheese, caramel, and chocolate. These are great snacks with a cold drink, for long rides on the train, or simply when you are hungry.

Looking to cook Japanese food at home? Check out these Japanese recipe posts:

The Best Japanese Rice Recipes

Best Japanese Snack Box Subscriptions

While buying Japanese snacks on Amazon is fast and easy, there are alternatives. Several companies offer Japanese snack box subscriptions.

These subscriptions are available in monthly, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month increments. Prices range from $40-$75 and feature a wide range of Japanese snacks and goods. Here is a look at some popular Japanese snack box subscription sites.

Tokyo Treat – Japanese Snack Boxes

Hand-picked and curated each month by a team of Japanese snack experts, TokyoTreats delivers a wide range of tasty treats straight to your door. Each box from Japan is packed with hard-to-find Japanese snacks.

The boxes change with the season so you are guaranteed to try something new. While the focus is on snacks, Tokyo Treats ships Japanese soda, noodles, and Japanese candies. International shipping is available with an average shipping time of 7-10 business days.

Sakuraco – Japanese Snacks & Candy Subscription Boxes

From the folks over at TokyoTreats, Sakuraco is another Japanese snacks and candy subscription box offering. A monthly subscription box, Sakuraco partners and highlights Japanese family-owned business that specializes in Japanese snacks.

Each subscription box features a mix of Japanese sweets, cakes, and Japanese teas delivered directly to you. These subscription boxes are a great way to learn about Japanese food and Japanese tea culture. International delivery is available. Order directly from Sakuraco here.

Sugoi Mart – Japanese Snacks And More

With an unofficial motto of, “You want it? We have it! If we don’t, let us know and we will!” Sugoi Mart is your one-stop online shop for all things Japan. Sugoi Mart features Japanese snacks and chocolates as well as Japanese toys, collectibles, and even home and beauty care products.

If you want to test your luck, check out Sugoi Mart’s Lucky Bags. Each Lucky Bag has a minimum value ranging from $30-$100. Sugoi Mart Lucky Bags come with “Japan-exclusive mystery items” ranging from food, collectibles, and toys.

However, some bags contain “high value” items such as gaming consoles and gift cards. Shipping is worldwide, with orders over $50 receiving free shipping.

Get 15% off your order using the promo code FOODDRINK15. International Shipping Available.

FAQs – Japanese Snacks To Try