Popular Japanese Snacks: 15 Sweet Treats & 15 Savory Snacks to Try

The world of Japanese snacks is vast with a mixture of traditional offerings and western influenced indulgences. Why not dip a toe into Japanese snack culture with some beloved favorites, and under the radar choices? We’ve broken down the sheer amount of different Japanese snacks into two categories, sweet and savory, below.

Would you travel for food? Japanese prefectures are known for their regional Japanese food souvenirs, from Hokkaido's Shiroi Koibito cookies to Shizuoka's wasabi Kit Kats and other premium snacks! 

If there's any Japanese snack you likely already love, it's Pocky. Pocky Japan has perfected the art of putting chocolate on a biscuit stick, especially with their special varieties like the "luxurious", or zeitaku (贅沢), line with extra thick chocolate that's fun as a novelty snack!

Sculpt amezaiku, traditional Japanese candy with history dating back to the Heian period, in this workshop in Tokyo. Learn from an expert who will craft one right before your eyes. Then, try it yourself with two practice rounds included to make sure you get your final product just right. 

Your amezaiku bunny might be too cute to eat right there. In that case, you’ll be able to take it home as a unique souvenir!

If you want your pocky to be a little more inside out, opt for a toppo. While it may be less recognizable than pocky, it's no less delicious. Creamy chocolate fills the inside of the tube-like biscuit, and because it doesn't need a chocolate-free handle like Pocky, there's a rush of chocolate flavor no matter where you bite. 

Along with Pocky, the sprawling world of Japanese Kit Kats boasts global fame as two of the most popular brands of snacks in Japan! The intriguing specialty flavors, like Japanese sake and green tea, are either infused into the filling in the middle or into the chocolate coating itself.

The flavors are often disarmingly realistic and delicious like apple pie and "adult sweetness" (オトナの甘さ) raspberry. Keep an eye out for rare Kit Kat flavors in different regions of Japan, too!

When the brownie cravings hit in Japan, it’s hard to do better than a choco brownie. Surprisingly velvety for a mass-produced sweet, these bite-sized chocolate cakes are incredibly rich and moist with a melty chocolate coating on the bottom. Each brownie is individually packaged, so it’s easier to avoid overindulging (although we won’t judge if you do.)

Sweets are nice but sometimes you want something a little bit bigger. How about making your own Japanese style cake? In this strawberry shortcake baking class in Tokyo, you’ll learn the subtle differences of the Japanese version of a classic as you bake a decadent cake from start to finish.

With the guidance of a master baker, you’ll be able to make a beautiful and delicious cake no matter your baking skills. With the recipe in hand as you leave, you’ll be able to use your newfound skills to make it again no matter where you are! 

Easily identified by its distinctive ship motif, Alfort is a popular chocolate choice for social gatherings. These individually wrapped treats feature a biscuit base and ship-printed chocolate on top. 

This regular variety bag can be found at most supermarkets and includes chocolate and rich milk flavors. Be on the lookout for Alfort mini, which has region-specific and limited-time motifs like Mt. Fuji or Disney character designs.

Two of the most well-known snacks to buy in Japan, the mushroom-shaped Kinoko no Yama and bamboo shoot-shaped Takenoko no Sato are tiny biscuit cookies topped with chocolate. Try asking someone which one they prefer in the neverending feud between the two! 

Look out for the elaborate seasonal flavors, like chestnut Mont Blanc and purple sweet potato.

Country Ma'am cookies are tiny, soft, and come in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, matcha, and strawberry, depending on the season. They're oddly addictive and can even quench a chocolate chip cookie craving in a bind! Try microwaving one... you won't regret it.

A popular treat among children, Koala no March is similar to the Hello Panda chocolate biscuits you can find in stores worldwide. Each biscuit has a cute koala design and a creamy chocolate center. It's sure to be a hit with kids and kids at heart. 

Of all sweet Japanese snacks, Choco Pie is the one that seems to show up at every party without fail. These soft Little Debbie-esque snack cakes come in vanilla and chocolate cream. The crack of the hard chocolate shell on the outside when you bite into it is surprisingly satisfying!

Looking for something a little more traditional? In this mochi and wagashi making class in Tokyo, you’ll learn about the world of classic Japanese sweets as you mold them into beautiful seasonal shapes and designs. 

A wagashi experience wouldn’t be complete without a tea ceremony. Learn how to make a calming bowl of matcha green tea to enjoy alongside your sweets. The mild sweetness of wagashi is the perfect break after trying some of the sweets on this list!

When you come to Japan, dispose of what you know "caramel corn" to be. This Caramel Corn isn't popcorn, but caramel-flavored corn puffs with a smattering of nuts at the bottom of the bag! For anyone who's ever wished Cheetos tasted like pure sugar, Caramel Corn is a light, crunchy and fluffy delight.

Shittori Choco always ranks highly on sweets favorites lists. Literally meaning "moist chocolate," it’s a crispy aerated corn puff coated in chocolate that melts in your mouth. Don't forget to look out for the occasional heart-shaped one!

Baum rolls may not get a lot of foreign press, but they are one of the most popular Japanese sweet snacks to hand out at group gatherings. These soft, moist rolls of thin cake are coated in a tasty, light lemon frosting. The Bourbon brand makes tons of mini sweet treats, but baum rolls are perhaps the best!

Kobe isn’t just famous for its high quality wagyu. Kobe Shocora is another food that incorporates the city in its name. Each chocolate is a decadent treat with a smooth texture and rich milky flavor. It’s also satisfying to bite through the center line, giving you the feeling of two pieces of chocolate in one!

Bisco crackers are the perfect blend of sweet and salty, with the cream on the inside pairing wonderfully with the buttery richness of the sandwich crackers. Like many Japanese snacks, they're tiny and individually wrapped. So while you may not be saving the environment, at least you can enjoy the gaze of the overjoyed Bisco child on the package as you crunch!

If you're looking for a hearty, satisfying chocolate snack, Galbo is the way to go. These thick pellets of aerated chocolate are actually quite dense, perfect for a quick decadent treat. Caramel and royal milk tea flavors come highly recommended.

Bonus: Try Japanese pudding, or purin, too!

Calbee Japan products make up about half the chip aisle in Japanese supermarkets, so you might as well get acquainted! The standard flavors of Calbee potato chips are lightly salted, shiawase "fortune" butter, consomme punch, soy sauce mayo, seaweed salt, and several other regional soy sauce varieties. Calbee chips are a solid, safe choice even if you're unfamiliar with the Japanese flavors.

Find out more: 20 Types and Flavors of Calbee Chips in Japan

One of the most popular snacks in Japan, Jagariko are brittle potato sticks in a cup with a peel-off lid. Among the wide array of flavors, you're sure to find a favorite! From cheese and salad to more daring flavors like tarako (pollock roe) butter and Japanese plum, you could munch your way through the whole line and never get bored. 

For a healthy alternative, try the fried potato snacks from Hokkaido available on byFood's market.

Looking for Japan's version of crunchy Cheetos? Sucorn is here to satisfy that craving of yours, with flavors like seafood, barbeque and quattro cheese. And if you check the other side of the snack aisle, you might find sweet Sucorn flavors too; salted caramel, in particular, is to die for!

Happy Turn is a popular senbei with a delicious flavoring powder and a wild origin story. During the 1973 oil crisis, the Japanese economy struggled, as it relied heavily on foreign imports for many natural resources. In response, Happy Turn was created to lift the nation’s spirits. 

So whenever you bite into the flavorfully powdered Happy Turn senbei, you can think back to the 1973 oil crisis and have your spirits lifted.

Glico's savory counterpart to Pocky, Pretz is a Japanese snack so ubiquitous you must try it at least once. Pretz is a thin, seasoned biscuit stick with an addictive quality and satisfying crunch. 

Try eating a stick of their "mystery flavor" along with the standard salad, roast, or tomato Pretz to see what combination it makes!

Senbei is the most famous traditional Japanese cracker, made of white rice and often enjoyed with tea. There are a variety of brands with different flavors and styles (see the previously mentioned Happy Turn). 

Some are sweet, like the delicious black sugar milk flavor pictured above to the right, but most are savory, like the equally spectacular salad senbei on the left! Any rice cracker is sure to give you a crispy taste of traditional Japan, pairing extra well with a hot beverage.

Explore the Japan snack scene in this Asakusa food tour in Tokyo. As you explore the famed Sensoji-Temple and surrounding area, you’ll also get the chance to stop into some stores and visit the Nakamise Shopping Street to look for souvenirs and snacks. 

Ice cream and melon bread are on the agenda but keep your eyes peeled for any snacks from this list or entirely new snacks to try!

Aerial chips are similar in texture to Cheetos but provide an extra level of crunch thanks to their four-layer design. This also allows them to pack more flavoring inside as it coats each layer. The bags pictured above are the cheddar cheese version, but you can find a variety of other flavors, including more adventurous ones like wasabi and cod roe butter.

Agemochi, or deep-fried mochi snacks, are delightful pieces of seasoned mochi that crunch at first, then melt in your mouth. If you're interested in experiencing mochi in a different way, you can usually find agemochi in the traditional snack aisle!

Want to make fried mochi at home? Start with mochi from byFood's market.

Providing the perfect blend of sweet and savory, Zeitaku Shokora could easily be featured on either one of these lists. With a drizzle of luxurious chocolate on every salty chip, it'll satisfy no matter your mood. They're only available from late October to mid-May each year, so make sure to grab a bag if you see one on the shelf.

No discussion of Japanese junk food would be complete without Pizza Potato, the infamous pizza-flavored chip of Japan. Unlike many American cheese-flavored chips, these have drips of real (or semi-real) cheese baked onto them, packing an extra wallop of moisture and flavor. Another great snack to pair with your alcoholic beverage of choice for a sordid night of snacking!

There aren’t many better matches than snacks and alcohol! Learn what foods pair best with sake as you try eight different types of the alcoholic drink alongside a variety of Japanese snacks. 

In this sake tasting tour in the Kabukicho area of Tokyo, you’ll not only explore the pairings but gain a deeper understanding of sake. The temperature of the sake may even change based on the season or food pairing, to provide the best drinking and snacking experience.

If you're one of those people who enjoys eating a block of uncooked ramen as a snack, Baby Star is for you. These broken pieces of dried ramen noodles are flavored with savory seasonings for your crunching pleasure! Pair them with beer or other alcohol for an even better time.

Kabukiage is another popular senbei. It was designed to feature the motifs of kabuki, traditional Japanese theater, to bring together two Japanese cultural icons in kabuki and senbei. Each cracker has a bumpy exterior with a sweet, salty soy sauce tare soaking into each crevice. This provides a wonderful flavor that is notably different from traditionally smooth senbei. 

Unsurprisingly, Japan has managed to take an already great snack and make it even better. The most well-known brand of popcorn in Japan, Mike's Popcorn, constantly offers limited-time flavors like salted shrimp and milk tea. The popcorn is airy and light, and their standard soy sauce butter flavor is always a crowd pleaser!

Arare is a genre of many similar kinds of rice snacks and crackers known to go well with drinks. Two recommended varieties are hineri-age, an impossibly crispy twirled fry dusted with savory powder, and ponsuke, dense cubes of sweet-and-salty herbal flavor. But to be honest, you can't go wrong with any arare!

One of the few chips in Japan that offers a salt and vinegar flavor, Suppa Mucho is known for its sour offerings. While their salt and vinegar chip has a weaker sour punch than its Western counterparts, it’s no less delicious with a perfect blend of salty and tart that’s perfect for those who want a milder flavor. If you want a true Japanese sour experience, try their umeboshi (pickled plum) flavor.

While many of the snacks on this list are in the "junk food" category, traditional Japanese snacks tend to be a lot healthier! Things like senbei crispy rice crackers and the naturally sweet yokan are more indicative of traditional Japanese snacks. If you'd like to try out these snacks for yourself, order our byFood Healthy Japanese Snack Box today!

The global popularity of Japanese snacks is on the rise, and for good reason! You can never run out of new and tasty Japanese snacks to sample, but these were some of the most popular, unmissable players in the industry. So next time you're pawing through the Pocky boxes, looking to grab a large bag of snacks before you hit the cash register, look out for any of these delectable treats you haven't yet tried.

Feeling snacky? Try these common onigiri flavors and our favorite konbini foods!