Japanese snacks and drinks have a way of turning simple treats into delightful experiences. They’re known for beautiful packaging and regional flavors, making them feel like unique souvenirs from Japan. From famous sweet snacks like Pocky and KitKat to traditional mochi rice cakes and savory senbei crackers, Japan offers an endless variety to discover. Even the beverages are playful – imagine a soda with a marble in the bottle or a rich green tea latte. If you’re a new buyer from abroad, get ready to explore some of the best Japanese snacks of 2025 and the most unique drinks, with a focus on fun flavors, eye-catching presentation, and gifts that will wow your friends.
Japanese Snacks
Japanese snacks range from traditional sweets to modern candy innovations. They often come in creative shapes and packages, and many even tie into local culture or seasonal trends. Below, we highlight some must-try snacks – both classic favorites and quirky new treats – that will make you want to sample everything:
- Pocky: These crunchy biscuit sticks are dipped in chocolate or other flavors, making for an addictive sweet snack. First launched in 1966, Pocky has since added dozens of flavors (strawberry, matcha, banana, you name it) and become a worldwide icon. Each pack contains many shareable sticks, and the design – chocolate on all but one end – means no messy fingers. Pocky’s portable, social packaging truly “shares happiness” with every bite.
- KitKat (Japan): Japan’s take on KitKats has achieved global fame for its wildly creative flavors and collectibles. There are over 300 flavors of Japanese KitKats, many of them seasonal, limited-edition, or region-exclusive. From matcha green tea and sakura (cherry blossom) to quirky varieties like soy sauce or sake, these mini wafer bars are full of surprises. They’re made with high-quality ingredients for a richer taste, and their special packaging makes them popular gifts (in fact, “KitKat” sounds like kitto katsu, meaning “surely win,” so they’re often given as good luck tokens).
- Hi-Chew: A chewy fruit candy that’s often compared to a juicier Starburst – but Hi-Chew has a texture all its own. This Morinaga confection is beloved around the world for its unique, bouncy chew and burst of real fruit flavor. Each piece starts firm, then softens as you chew, releasing long-lasting sweetness. Hi-Chew comes in an array of flavors, from staples like strawberry, grape, and green apple to exotic choices like mango, yuzu citrus, or even cola. It’s the perfect pocket candy when you crave something fruity and fun.
- Mochi: A traditional Japanese rice cake treat famous for its soft, chewy texture. Mochi can refer to the plain glutinous rice cake itself or sweets made with it. Classic mochi confections (like daifuku) wrap sweet red bean paste or ice cream in a pillowy rice dough. It’s arguably Japan’s most famous rice-based snack, enjoyed for centuries and even as a ceremonial New Year’s food. Modern mochi snacks have many forms – try mochi ice cream for a East-meets-West dessert or flavored mochi candies. However it’s served, mochi delivers a uniquely springy texture that many find delightful (and a bit addicting!).
- Senbei: These are traditional Japanese rice crackers, a fantastic option if you prefer snacks that are crunchy and savory. Senbei are typically made from rice that’s baked or grilled, then brushed with seasonings. They come in flavors like classic soy sauce (salty and umami), nori seaweed, shrimp (ebi), sesame, or spicy pepper. Unlike sweet Western crackers, senbei pack a flavorful punch – imagine a toasty crunch followed by a savory soy glaze. They’ve been enjoyed for centuries (often alongside green tea) and give you a real taste of Japanese snack culture.
- Calbee Chips & Snacks: Calbee is one of Japan’s biggest snack brands, famous for inventive potato snacks. Calbee makes a wide range of potato chips with Asian-inspired flavors – you’ll find varieties like seaweed salt, soy sauce, wasabi beef, or even honey butter chips on Japanese shelves. One of their most iconic products is Kappa Ebisen (better known abroad as Calbee Shrimp Chips), a crunchy shrimp-flavored corn stick first released in 1964 that’s still a cult favorite. Whether it’s airy prawn crackers or Jagarico potato sticks, Calbee’s snacks are light, crispy, and irresistibly munchable.
- Character & Anime-Themed Snacks: In Japan, your snacks might come with a side of pop culture! Many treats are released in collaboration with beloved characters or anime series. For example, you can find Pokémon cookies and gummies, Hello Kitty candies, or limited-run snacks featuring characters from Demon Slayer, Dragon Ball, and more. The packaging is often colorful and collectible – these goodies practically scream “kawaii.” Don’t be surprised if you buy a candy for the cute wrapper alone! Character-themed snacks are great for gifting to kids (or anime-loving friends) and let you literally taste a piece of Japan’s entertainment culture.
- Japanese Snack Variety Box: If you can’t decide which goodies to try first, consider getting a Japanese candy/snack variety box. These thoughtfully curated boxes offer an assortment of authentic Japanese snacks, making them a unique gift for any occasion. You’ll receive a mix of sweet and savory items – often including many of the favorites above (Pocky, KitKats, senbei, candies, etc.) – all in one convenient package. It’s the perfect sampler for a new fan to discover their personal “best Japanese snacks,” and the fun presentation (sometimes themed by season or region) adds to the excitement. Many international snack lovers order variety boxes to get a little taste of everything Japan has to offer.
Japanese Drinks
Japan’s drink selection is just as quirky and appealing as its snacks. From fizzy sodas to canned lattes, Japanese beverages often put a unique twist on familiar drinks. Many have a novelty factor – whether it’s an unusual ingredient (like green tea in a matcha latte) or a fun packaging gimmick (like a marble that rattles in your Ramune soda bottle). And yet, they’re also genuinely tasty and refreshing, often less sugary than their Western counterparts. Here are a few Japanese drinks you’ll want to try:
- Ramune Soda: Ramune is an iconic Japanese soda that’s as much about the experience as the taste. It comes in a glass Codd-neck bottle sealed with a marble – you pop the marble down into the neck to open it, which releases a satisfying “pop” and fizz. This design has been a hit in Japan for over a century and remains a nostalgic symbol of summer festivals. Ramune (the name comes from “lemonade”) originally had a citrusy Sprite-like flavor, but now you can find it in dozens of flavors like melon, strawberry, lychee, and more. The marble bottle is an iconic, playful feature that instantly delights first-timers. Drinking Ramune is almost a rite of passage for Japan enthusiasts – it’s fizzy, fun, and great for hot days when you want a sweet, lightly carbonated treat.
- Matcha & Green Tea Drinks: Matcha – finely milled Japanese green tea powder – has exploded in popularity globally, and for good reason. In 2025, matcha is everywhere in Japan’s drink scene, from traditional hot tea to cold matcha lattes and even matcha-flavored sodas. Hailing from Japan, matcha has become a sought-after flavor in foods and drinks worldwide. Its appeal comes from a combo of taste and health: matcha’s vibrant green color and rich, earthy flavor (full of umami sweetness) make it delicious, and it’s packed with antioxidants and amino acids that offer a calm energy boost. You can enjoy Japanese green tea drinks in many forms – grab a bottle of unsweetened iced green tea (a common vending machine find in Japan), try a creamy matcha milk tea or frappe, or even a can of matcha beer! For newcomers, a slightly sweet matcha latte or a refreshing cold-brewed green tea is a great introduction to the smooth, mellow world of Japanese teas.
- Canned Coffee: One of Japan’s coolest conveniences is canned coffee, available hot or cold from vending machines on almost every street corner. Brands like Suntory Boss Coffee (famous for its Tommy Lee Jones commercials) and Coca-Cola’s Georgia Coffee offer a huge variety – espresso, black with no sugar, café au lait, vanilla latte, you name it. There are even seasonal and limited-edition flavors (e.g. a sakura cherry blossom latte in spring, or a sweet red bean mocha) that keep things interesting. Canned coffee in Japan isn’t just a novelty; it’s a part of daily life and culture. Busy commuters grab a can for a quick caffeine fix, and on a cold day a warm can from the vending machine doubles as a hand-warmer. This ready-to-drink coffee culture reflects Japan’s knack for convenience and innovation – and yes, the coffee is surprisingly good! From the creamy sweetness of a canned cafe latte to the bold kick of a black brew, you’re bound to find a canned coffee that suits your taste. It’s a must-try experience for any coffee lover visiting Japan (or shopping Japanese imports) – a blend of practicality and flavor that’s uniquely Japanese.
In conclusion, Japanese snacks and drinks offer a world of unique flavors and fun experiences for international shoppers. Whether you’re crunching on a soy sauce rice cracker, savoring a matcha chocolate, or popping open a fizzy Ramune, each treat is an invitation to explore Japan’s playful culinary culture. The best way to find your favorites is to dive in and start tasting – you might just discover your new snack obsession or the perfect gift for a fellow foodie. Happy snacking (いただきます)! 🎉
Sources:
- byFood: byfood.com
- Bokksu: bokksu.com
- Bokksu Market: bokksumarket.com
- FoodNavigator: foodnavigator.com
- Kokoro Care: kokorocares.com
- Momoca Store: momoca.store
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