At present, Japanese snack time generally means a snack between meals, which does not correspond to a breakfast, lunch, dinner, or evening meal. Foodies all over the world adore Japanese snacks for their quirky, curious, and interesting varieties. And for good reason, they are absolutely delicious! Most Japanese treats would have been difficult to find outside of Japan 30 years ago, but now the majority of these are available online with a huge selection!

Japanese Snacks

Snacks and candies in Japan come in a wide range of flavor variations inspired by traditional, regional, and seasonal ingredients. The easy portability of Japanese snacks allows people to enjoy big flavors anywhere and/or on the go. Japanese snacks are so appealing because there is truly something for everyone thanks to the wide variety of textures and flavors, like Japanese sweets. Japanese snacks are confectionery that can be purchased for a small fee.

It is estimated that there are over 2,000 Japanese original snack foods and over 100 new snack foods created in Japan. Japanese snacks are sold in almost every type of shop in Japan every year, including convenience stores, large shopping malls, and supermarkets. Japan has developed some of the most intriguing snack foods in the world over the years. Japan is basically the mad scientist of the snack world because the flavor combinations defy logic and the cuteness is off the charts. Eating delicious Japanese candy and snacks is like getting a taste of Japan in just one bite!

What is the history of Japanese Snacks

Originally, in the Edo Period, Dagashi (old Japanese confectionery) was made with grains and thick malt syrup, eaten as a snack by ordinary people and called "ichimon gashi" (one coin confectionery) because of its low price. In some local domains, when stored 'hoshi ii' (dried boiled rice) was disposed of, it was used to make dagashi, which soon became established as traditional local food and which is still sold today. In particular, Sendai Domain, Aizu Domain, Shonai Domain, and Nanbu Domain were well known for this. Dagashi was named to mark the contrast with "jogashi", which were snacks of higher quality, and in the Kansai area, dagashi are also called "zatsugashi" (miscellaneous confectionery). Dagashi ingredients were limited back then, and the use of expensive refined sugar was prohibited. The phrase 'the sweetness of dried persimmons' is associated with traditional dagashi and is thought to be period appropriate.

Discover these traditional and modern Japanese flavors with a tasty sweet or savory snack and discover why Japanese sweets and snacks are so popular.

Examples of Traditional Japanese Snacks

Karinto

Karinto is a traditional snack in Japan that is deep fried and coated in brown sugar. Other flavors are available, but the most common are these brown sugar varieties, which resemble something you'd find floating in an unflushed toilet. Karinto can be found for a low price almost anywhere. This is a classic example of Japanese junk food, consisting of fried doughnut-style batter loaded with fat and sugar. By any stretch of the imagination, these are not low-calorie traditional Japanese snacks.

Kempi

Kempi is another Japanese traditional snack food, which as you can see are strips of candied sweet potato, resembling french fries in appearance, but are hard and sugary sweet in taste. Kempi is cut lengthwise to give it a satisfying crunchy texture, and salt is added as an accent. The umami of salt enhances the sweetness of the potato, which is made more savory by slow frying. They are thicker than chips, and each piece has a strong presence.

Agemochi

Agemochi is made from fried mochi (sticky rice). This dry mochi snack food is broken into small pieces, about 1 cm cubed, and deep fried. Agemochi is usually either crunchy or crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

Arare

Arare is a type of bite-sized Japanese cracker made from glutinous rice and flavored with soy sauce. Arare has almost become a snacking staple in Hawaii. Arare is also known as mochi crunch or kakimochi. It is a salty crunch made from sticky rice and doused in soy sauce.

Monaka

Monaka is a Japanese traditional sweet made of azuki bean jam filling sandwiched between two thin crisp wafers made from mochi. Its simple process consists of mostly rice or mochi flour mixed with water and stretched into a thin dough. Then it is placed in a mold and baked, while afterward dough shells are filled with various sweet pastes.

Best Buy and Most Popular Modern Japanese Snacks

Pocky

Pocky, a Glico brand product, is one of the most popular Japanese snacks. Crafted with a crispy biscuit and creamy chocolate coating, it's an exciting option for satisfying sweet cravings. There are currently five standard flavors, including chocolate, strawberry, and matcha green tea. However, their global collection includes 50 additional, unique flavor options, such as blueberry, honey, and cookies & cream.

Kit Kat

Kit Kats are a globally beloved sweet treat with crispy wafers and a creamy chocolate coating. Besides their original milk chocolate option, they are available in 300+ flavors such as apple, ocean salt, safari maple, and roasted green tea. Additional flavors, like wasabi, are also available to snackers.

Jagariko

Jagariko is among the favorite Japanese snacks, featuring fun French fry-shaped potato sticks. This savory snack from Calbee comes in a cup for convenient snacking. Explore options like ume (plum), chicken salt, cod roe cheese, and butter potato with this snack.

Oreo

Japanese Oreos take inspiration from popular tea drink flavors, providing options such as green tea, oolong white peach, and Sakura chiffon cake fillings between crispy cookies.

Pringles

Worldwide, there have been over 160 flavors of Pringles through the years. In Japan, customers will find a wide variety of Japan-focused flavors in these crispy potato chips, including fried chicken, mushroom soup, French salad, and wasabi nori.

Hi-Chew

Chewy and melt-in-your-mouth goodness is offered with each bite of Hi-Chews. These delicious sweet snacks come in quite a few flavors, from tropical fruit to sweet and sour options and more. Expect anything from rainbow sherbet to key lime pie, mango, and candy apple flavors, depending on the pack you choose.

Where to get delicious Japanese candy and snacks that you can usually buy only in a Japan candy store?

Japanese snacks are very popular especially among tourists, as cravings for Japanese rice crackers, Japanese candy, Japanese snacks, and more Japanese goodies can be challenging to satisfy outside the country. Luckily, those wondering where to buy Japanese snacks can find authentic Japanese snacks online with ease.

The best place to buy Japanese snacks online is Sugoi Mart's candy & snacks collection. This curated selection of sweet and savory treats will satisfy cravings of all sorts. With options crafted by beloved Japanese snack companies like Lotte and Calbee, you can easily find Japanese gummies, cakes, cookies, chips, and more in one place.

For more of the best Japanese snacks, check out Japan Crate's monthly subscription. This subscription allows the exploration of new and exciting flavors with a collection of seasonal and limited-edition snacks. The selection includes an array of 15-17 sweet and savory goodies, a surprise collectible item, and exciting games (with prizes!), all delivered right to your doorstep. Get to experience the fun and hassle-free purchasing and express shipping of your favorite snacks in the comfort of your home now!