THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST JAPANESE CANDY!

INSIDE: A Guide to the BEST JAPANESE CANDY the Whole Family will Love. 

Love sugar?

Adore a sweet treat?

Can’t travel without trying ALL the candy on offer?

Then you have come to the right place.

Our Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Candy is all you need to know about the best sweet treats you can find in the land of the Rising Sun. 

Take a look! 

WHAT IS THE BEST JAPANESE CANDY? GUIDE

Roam the Gnome’s™ Sweet Tooth Guide to the Best Japanese Candy to eat!

You’ll discover:

• The most famous Japanese candy to buy
• Common Japanese candy names.
• What kinds of candies are popular in Japan, and
• Who makes candy in Japan.

(We can’t answer the question: Why doesn’t Japan like licorice? We simply don’t know!)

The only question you’ll have after reading it is why is Japanese candy so good?

We can’t write a guide to Japanese candy without mentioning Japanese chocolate either.

• Scroll down the page for a link to the best Japanese chocolates to buy.

Roam the Gnome LOVES Japanese chocolate and Japanese chocolate snacks EVEN MORE than Japanese candy!

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you.

Image credit: Rynse Out via Flickr CC BY-2.0

BEST JAPANESE CANDY ON AMAZON

First up, let’s take a look at the types of Japanese candy you can find in Japan.

Japanese lollies come in all shapes and sizes.

A Japanese candy assortment consists of:

• Japanese Chewy Candy.
• Japanese Hard Candy.
• Fruit Jellies
• Fruit flavored candy
• Gummies
• Biscuits and Pretzels
• Japanese chocolate snacks
• Japanese Kit Kats

Right now, the popular Japanese candy is “Do It Yourself” DIY Candy such as Kracie Popin’ Cookin’ Candy Kits.

We’ve gathered a list of the best Japanese candy kits below to0.

If going to Tokyo or Japan is not on the agenda right now, find links below of where to find the best Japanese candy on Amazon. 

Image credit: Janine via Flickr CC BY-2.0

JAPANESE CHEWY CANDY

Chewy lollies top of list of awesome Japanese candy, and is probably the most popular Japanese candy to buy on the shelf.

Puccho soft candy chews

Puccho candies come in a 10 piece stick pack, as pictured above.  

There are usually 5-10 different flavors available to purchase at any one time.

Grape is the best. 

Check seasonally for new releases.

Buy now on Amazon: Puccho Soft Candies – Grape Flavor

Hi Chew Candy

Find HiChew candy in:

• Grape
• Green apple
• Okinawa mango
• Lemon squash
• Kiwi fruit
• Cola
• Strawberry
• Orange
• Pineapple
• Watermelon
• Sour lemon
• White soda, and
• Rich banana.

You can buy Hi Chew mixed bags of candy too.

Buy now on Amazon: Morinaga Hi-Chew 8 flavor pack

Fuwarinka Soft Candy

Try Fuwarinka lollies in these flavors: 

• Mix Berry Rose
• Rose
• Strawberry Rose, and
• Citris Candy flavors. 

Buy now on Amazon: Japanese Fuwarinka Beauty Rose Chewing Gum – Pack of 2

More Japanese Soft Candies

Kamu Kamu Soft Candy

Kamu Kamu soft candy is available in all the fruity flavors including Melon candy.

HARD CANDY

Sour Plum Candy

The Sour Plum candy pictured above have a sour taste to begin but then turn sweet.

The Ko Ume Hard Candy in Sour Plum is a bit of a shock at first, then turns deliciously sweet!

This is one weird Japanese candy. 

But despite the shock, it’s one of our favourites ever. 

Top of the shopping list for souvenirs from Japan. 

Buy now on Amazon: Bag of Japanese Plum Hard Candy Koume by Lotte 

Konpeito

Konpeito colorful Japanese sugar candy deserves a special mention.

These adorable sugar crystals may be served on the side with your cup of green tea at a tea ceremony to help your tastebuds adjust to the bitterness.

Konpeito are originally from Portugal, but were adopted by the Japanese aristocracy in the mid 16th century because of their beauty and taste. They are now deeply embedded in the Japanese culture.  

Buy now on Amazon: Konpeito sugar candy for green tea ceremony 

More Japanese Hard Candies

Here’s a few more Hard Japanese candy options: 

• Hello Kitty Lollipops
• Peko chan pop candy lollipops
• Kari Poli candy sticks
• Nobel Candy in Super lemon, super cola, and super soda

Buy now on Amazon: Super Lemon Candy 

JAPANESE MILKY CANDY

Milky Candies in a Bag

Japanese Candy Milky is called both a hard candy and a soft candy, depending on who you talk to! 

Fujiya is a brand which started production in 1951 and are made of high quality creamy milk from the Hokkaido region of Japan!

It’s been my favourite Japanese candy since I was 15 years old.

Look out for the distinctive Peko-chan girl on the packaging.

I adore her! 

Buy some of this candy from Japan for your kids to fall in love with too.

Japanese Milky hard candy come in a bag of candy bon bons wrapped in paper, in flavors including:

• Rich condensed milk (original)
• Green tea
• Crunchy mint, and
• Peach. 

Buy now on Amazon: Japanese Milky Candy bag with Peko chan

Fujiya Milky Candy in a Box

The best Japanese candy box features the well known Peko-Chan on the box and it contains around 7 individually wrapped candies.

These soft and chewy treats are deliciously milky!

Buy now on Amazon: Fujiya Milky Candy in a box – 10 pack set

Image credit: Ian Collins via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

JAPANESE GUMMIES

Here’s our list of the best Japanese gummies.

• Pure Lemon Gummies and Pure Muscat Grape Gummies
• Pure Gummy candy in lots more fruit flavors
• Kororo Melon gummies
• Kororo Gummy candy in peach, green grape, golden pineapple, mango and more
• Dole Gummy Candy in Orange mango, Orange peel, Grapefruit lychee, Pineapple
• Fettuccine Gummy Candy in Cola, Energy drink, Italian grape, Italian peach, Lemon, Melon soda, Strawberry yogurt, Vanilla yoghurt, Hard boiled Cola, and Hard boiled White soda (whatever that is!)
• Kaju Juicy gummy candy in all fruit flavors

Try this one:  Candy Gummy SUSHI BENTO BOX!  (YES, it’s Japanese gummies shaped as sushi pieces!) 

JAPANESE FRUIT JELLIES

Fruit jelly cups are loved by Japanese kids for a treat.

In fact, kids all over Asia love this Japan candy treat.

• Pokemon Sun and Moon Fruit Jelly
• Frutissier fruit jellies

Buy similar on Amazon: Ouma Coconut Jelly Cups – Assorted flavors

JAPANESE FRUIT FLAVORED CANDY 

Japanese candies come in all the fruit flavors.

Try the melon one first of course.

Look out for: 

• Peach syrup candy
• Melon candy
• White Peach candy
• Umeboshi candy
• Pineapple candy

Buy now on Amazon:  Japanese Fruit Candy – Grape Flavor

POPULAR JAPANESE CANDY KITS

Kracie Popin’ Cookin’ DIY Candy

Here’s an activity all the kids enjoy – making their very own candy!

It’s easy with these Popin’ Cookin’ DIY candy kits by Kracie.

Even when you don’t speak or read Japanese, you can follow the simple picture instructions to work it out.

It’s a matter of adding water and food coloring to a special powder in a mold, and waiting for the magical alchemy to unfold.

These do-it-yourself candy kits by Popin’ Cookin’ make gooey sweet candy and are very popular with Japanese kids.

The Bento Lunch Box Candy Kit (as pictured above) is a best seller!

Popin’ Cookin’ candy makes a super fun activity gift for friends with kids back home, especially the mini-scientists.

Kids are always up for trying something different, and this activity is a no-brainer. 

It’s candy! 

Buy Make Your Own Japanese Candy in these varieties:

• Mini Donut Candy Kit
• Popin’ Cookin’ Cake Shop Fun Candy Kit
• Guru Guru Potato Candy Kit
• Kuru Kuru Takoyaki Candy Kit
• NeriCanLand DIY Candy Kit
• Oekaki Gummy Making Candy Kit
• Rainbow Tsubu Tsubu Land Candy Kit
• Ramen Yasan & Gyoza Candy Kit
• Sushi Candy Kit (as pictured above)
• Tanoshii Nan Curry Candy Kit
• Crepe Ya-San Candy Kit
• Dekitate Pan Yan San Bakery Kit

Buy now on Amazon: Try this fun Japanese cooking activity with your kids (5 pack set: Sushi, hamburger, pizza, takoyaki and ramen DIY candy)

Image credit: Mliu92 via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

More DIY Candy Kits

Spice up your day with these fun DIY kit!

Once again, it’s water that sparks the reaction to turn a powder into a sweet treat.

The BEST one is the Chocolate Kinako Mochi DIY kit that lets you make Japanese mochi rice with sweet roasted soybean powder, a much loved Japanese festival staple.

• Neru Neru Nerune Grape DIY Candy Kit
• Sticky Ramune Candy DIY Kit
• Candy Apple DIY Kit
• Strawberry Soft Serve Ice Cream DIY Kit
• Choco Banana DIY Kit

Buy now on Amazon: Chocolate Kinako Mochi – Let’s Make with Water DIY Candy set

JAPANESE BISCUITS 

How can a hungry Gnome resist a unique toadstool shaped biscuit topped with chocolate?

This is one Japanese food that was made with him in mind.

Thanks Meiji Chocolate!

But all these Japanese biscuits are cute to boot. 

• Kinoko no Yama toadstool biscuits by Meiji
• Takenoko no Sato biscuits, also by Meiji
• Panda cookies, a much loved Japanese favourite
• Koala no March cookies, shaped in a little koala and stamped with fun Koala motifs
• Meiji Chocorooms – Japanese mushroom biscuits

Buy now on Amazon: Kinoko no Yama biscuits – Pack of 5

JAPANESE PRETZELS 

My kids LOVE Japanese pretzel snacks, both sweet and savory.

When we are in Japan, there’s at least one pack in my backpack at all times.  

The cheese flavor Pretz pretzel is the best.

Pretz pretzels are probably one of the best healthy Japanese snacks around.

A special mention to Pocky chocolate sticks, the yummiest Japanese treat.

I first tried them at 15 on a school trip, and 30 years later, they are still my favourite Japanese snack.

Buy now on Amazon: Variety Pack of 6 Boxes of Different Pocky flavors

JAPANESE CHOCOLATE

There was just too much to write about Japanese chocolate  in this guide to Japanese candy.

So take a peek at Roam the Gnome™’s Guide to Japanese Chocolate.

Special mention: Milky Chocolate Bar

Milky Chocolate has a milk cream filling.

It’s in a world of its’ own.

Image credit: Tjeerd Wiersma via Flickr CC BY-2.0

Japanese Kit Kats

You’ve no doubt heard that Japan is famous for unusual Kit Kat flavors. Most people have Green Tea Kit Kats on their must buy souvenirs from Japan list.

But did you know you can also buy Japanese Kit Kats in:

• Everyday Nuts and Cranberry chocolate kit kats
• Matcha Green Powder kitkats
• Rich Matcha flavor kit kats
• Yogurt kit kats
• Frozen Cookies and Cream kitkats
• Bitter strawberry kitkats
• Japanese Sake kit kats
• Dark chocolate kit kats
• Strawberry cheesecake kit kats
• Sakura Soy powder kit kats

Go hunting for all the different flavor Kitkats (including limited edition Kitkats) when you are out and about in Japan. 

Buy now on Amazon: Try an assortment with this Kit Kat taster set – 21 mini Kit Kat bars

THE BEST JAPANESE CHOCOLATE SNACKS 

Oh how we love a good chocolate snack in Japan! 

Our favourite? The Crunky Balls.

No competition.

Crunky Chocolate Balls

Crunky Balls come in flavors:

• Green Tea chocolate
• Milk chocolate
• Strawberry chocolate
• Dark bitter chocolate, and
• Cookies and Cream chocolate.

These are my favourite Japanese chocolate snack in the world. 

The texture of the biscuit crunch is something else.

Warning: If you have a chocolate addiction too, danger ahead!

Buy now on Amazon: Crunky chocolate balls – 6 pack (You’ll need them)

Crunky Chocolate Bars

Crunky chocolate bars (a whole bar instead of individual balls) are made in flavors including: 

• Vanilla ice cream
• Milk chocolate
• Strawberry 

Bake Chocolate baked cake bars

Bake Chocolate Cake bars are available in these combinations :

• Strawberry
• Cheese cake
• Creamy cheesecake
• Chocolate brownie, and
• Mint ice cream.

The Green Tea Bake cake is a collaboration with Hello Kitty.

Galbo Chocolate

Galbo choco has a crunchy biscuit texture, smothered in lashings of chocolate.

They come in:

• salty caramel
• soy milk green tea
• strawberry
• white, and
• soy milk and kinako (roasted soy bean)

Try the Soy Milk and Kinako Galbo chocolate if you can find it.

It’s divine. 

OTHER POPULAR JAPANESE SNACKS – The best snacks in Tokyo

Other popular Japanese snacks and candy include:

Tohato Caramel Corn

A famous puffed corn treat made into sweet corn curls.

Available in:

• chocolate
• chocolate mint
• fragrant caramel
• honey soy
• milky condensed milk
• ramune soda
• with peanuts
• tiramisu
• strong green tea, and
• fruit parfait.

Buy now on Amazon: 80 gram bag of Tohato Caramel Corn

Tokyo Banana

Tokyo Banana is arguably Japan’s most popular souvenir to take home for friends and family.

Want to know where to buy Tokyo Banana?

The main Tokyo Banana shop in Tokyo is at Tokyo Station.

In fact it’s not one shop, but many outlets selling Tokyo Banana souvenirs.

You can also buy Tokyo Banana cookies, seasonal variations of Tokyo Banana biscuits, and Tokyo Banana kitkats too! 

(See our Snacks Guide below for more information on Tokyo Banana. )

Buy now on Amazon: Original Tokyo Banana – 12 pack

Japanese Mochi & Wagashi Snacks

Japanese Mochi filled with sweet red bean paste and sweet Wagashi snacks are two traditional Japanese candy snacks.

Read more in the Guide to Japanese snacks below.

Image credit: Daiju Azuma via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Japanese Cracker Snacks

There are so many Japanese crackers to try, and we’ve listed a whole bunch in our guide to Japanese snacks & crackers.

They made the best souvenirs from Tokyo for people who foodies who like to taste traditional food.

Take a look. 

Image credit: Aki Sato via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

JAPANESE CANDY MANUFACTURERS

These companies are the main manufacturers of Japanese candy (and some Japanese snacks). It’s hard to know who makes the best candy in Japan.

But they ALL make FUN Japanese candy.

Check their individual websites for upcoming releases and seasonal surprises.

• Lotte
• Calbee
• Gliko (famous for Pocky)
• Morinaga Dars
• Kasugai Gummy.
• Calpis
• Chelsea – made by Meiji Confectionery in Japan
• Cubyrop
• Gumi 100
• Karinto
• Milky
• Pinky
• Poifull
• Pucca
• Puccho
• Pure gumi candy
• Ramune candy
• Meiji

Image credit: Suikotei via Wikimedia CC BY-SA 4.0

WHERE TO BUY JAPANESE CANDY AND SNACKS

Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in yen, unless otherwise stated

Supermarkets in Japan 

Wondering where to buy the best sweets in Tokyo?

If you want to buy Tokyo souvenir snacks, visit one the big Tokyo supermarkets.

Roam the Gnome says Japanese candy is one of the best souvenirs from Tokyo, but he may have had his arm twisted by the boys!

The Japanese supermarkets are the home of cheap Japanese candy and snacks too.

Buy in bulk and you’ll be the king of the castle.

Convenience Stores, Festivals & Shopping streets

Other places to buy the these recommended Japanese souvenirs include:

• Family Mart Convenience Store
• Depachika Food Halls in the basement level of most Japanese Department Stores
• Meiji Shrine souvenir shop
• Nakamise shopping street at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
• Japanese festivals stalls
• Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea have a range of gorgeous Disney candy in metal tins and cardboard packaging you’ll love!

Image credit: Candy a Go Go Harajuku (link below)

Takeshita Street in Harajuku

Takeshita Street in Harajuku has an abundance of Japanese candy shops. Pick your favourite.

Candy a Go Go

Candy a Go Go!  is the place on Takeshita street in Harajuku with the pink-haired shop assistants on hand to help you with your Japenese candy purchases.

Tokyo Candy Showtime

Tokyo Candy Showtime on Cat Street is a Japanese candy store filled with rock candy of every size, shape and color.

They have very cute kawaii designs – a must buy Tokyo souvenir.

Totti Candy Factory

Tokyo Totti Candy Factory on Takeshita Street (this is the place to try the Harajuku Rainbow Cotton Candy you’ve seen all over Instagram)

Daiso Tokyo Harajuku

Daiso 100 yen store in Harajuku

Tokyo Station Candy Snacks

Tokyo Okashi Land is a Japanese snacks shop in Tokyo Station where you can eat fresh Japanese snacks before you buy. 

Do not miss it if you have kids in tow.

They have a bulk load of Japanese snacks souvenir for all ages.

They stock cheap Japanese snacks too.

The Calbee potato chips with hot chocolate sauce drizzled over (& served with soft serve ice cream too) is one of the TOP FOODS TO TRY IN TOKYO!  

Only in Japan would you find this! 

Image credit: Luca Sartoni via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Save for a trip to Japan

Japanese snacks and candy are so good.

We urge you to saving your money for a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun just so you too can taste all these delicious Japanese candies and Japanese chocolate snacks for yourself!

---

RELATED: Ultimate Guide of Fun Things to Do in Tokyo with Kids

JAPANESE CANDY BOX 

Check out these fun Japanese candy boxes:

• Sanrio Hello Kitty Snack Box
• Sakura Box with dagashi snacks, Japanese candy & Japanese chocolate snacks 
• Raindrops Gummy Candy Sushi Bento Box

Image credit: Amy Jane Mitchell via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

JAPANESE CANDY SUBSCRIPTION BOXES 

If you aren’t planning to head to Japan any time soon, don’t miss out.

But if you can’t wait that long, take a look at our guide to the best Japanese subscription box choices to arrange Japanese sweets delivered to your home today.

Wondering what is the best Japanese candy subscription box? Click the links below for our helpful guides.

It’s up to you who you share it with!

READ MORE: The best Japanese Candy Box Subscription (update coming soon)

READ MORE: The Best Japanese Snack Subscription Box for Families (update coming soon)

Toadstool Rating: Best Japanese Lollies

Looking for more must try Japanese food?

Click the links in blue below for more fun Tokyo attractions.

• Monster Guide of Things to Buy in Japan

• The Best Places to Buy Japanese Bento Boxes

• Ultimate Guide to the Best Japanese Streetfood in Tokyo (plus traditional Japanese snacks)