30 Best Japanese Snacks Tourists Love – Must-Try Perfect Souvenirs
- Patia
- Apr 11
- 7 min read
Updated: May 9
HELLO, I'M AYU!
I am one of the staff members at Patia, where we offer cooking classes specifically designed for foreign tourists in Tokyo. I have two children, and I love cooking! I look forward to sharing my passion for cooking with you and making your experience in Japan truly memorable!
On March 18, TV Asahi aired a special program called “Top Japanese Snacks Foreign Visitors Want to Take Home”. Based on a survey of tourists in Japan, the show revealed a ranking of the top 30 most popular snacks—featuring everything from long-time local favorites to region-exclusive sweets that travelers love.
In this blog post, we’ll highlight the top 10 snacks in more detail, including their flavors, why they’re so popular, and which varieties are especially loved. If you’re not sure what snacks to bring back from Japan, this list is a great place to start!
And at the end, we’ll also introduce a fun and popular tour where you can not only shop for snacks but also try making authentic Japanese ramen yourself. Don’t miss this chance to experience Japanese food culture up close!
Table of Contents
Top 30 Japanese Snacks for Tourists – Best Souvenirs to Take Home
Top 10 Japanese Snacks Loved by Tourists – And Where to Buy Them in Japan
Why Japanese KitKat Is So Popular with International Tourists
Make Your Japan Trip Even More Memorable with a Ramen-Making Class & Japanese Snack Shopping!
For Those Interested in Exploring Other Japanese Cuisine: "Patia’s Japanese Cooking Classes"
Top 30 Japanese Snacks for Tourists – Best Souvenirs to Take Home
Japanese snacks are a favorite souvenir for many visitors to Japan. With their unique flavors, creative packaging, and regional exclusives, it’s easy to see why they’re so popular around the world.
Based on a TV survey of international tourists, here are the Top 30 most popular Japanese snacks, ranked and listed with their makers. From all-time classics to trendy treats, this list is packed with great ideas for what to bring home!
Snack names and image sources are listed below the image. 1. KitKat – Nestlé Japan
2. Shiroi Koibito – ISHIYA Co., Ltd.
3. JagaRico – Calbee
4. Tokyo Banana – Grapestone Co., Ltd.
5. Pocky – Ezaki Glico
6. Umaibo – Yaokin
7. Potato Chips – Calbee
8. Pure Gummy – Kanro
9. Nama Chocolate – ROYCE’
10. Alfort – Bourbon
11. Kinoko no Yama (Chocolate Mushrooms) – Meiji
12. Kameda Kaki no Tane (Spicy Rice Crackers) – Kameda Seika
13. Kappa Ebisen (Shrimp Chips) – Calbee
14. Meiji Milk Chocolate – Meiji
15. Gouter de Roi Rusk – Gâteau Festa Harada
16. Nama Yatsuhashi “Otabe” – Bijuu Co., Ltd.
17. Jaga Pokkuru – Calbee
18. Almond Chocolate – Meiji
19. Hiyoko (Chick-shaped sweet) – Hiyoko Co., Ltd.
20. Takenoko no Sato (Chocolate Bamboo Shoots) – Meiji
21. Freshly Baked Cheesecake – Rikuro Ojisan no Mise
22. Hi-Chew – Morinaga Seika
23. Unagi Pie (Eel Pie) – Shunkado
24. Apollo Chocolate – Meiji
25. Ghana Chocolate – Lotte
26. Koala’s March – Lotte
27. Macadamia Chocolate – Meiji
28. Potato Chips – Koikeya
29. Black Thunder – Yuraku Seika
30. Pizza Potato Chips – Calbee
Top 10 Japanese Snacks Loved by Tourists – And Where to Buy Them in Japan
Based on the results of a TV survey, the top 10 most beloved Japanese snacks among international visitors have been revealed! In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what makes each snack so appealing, and where you can find them while traveling in Japan. If you’re looking for souvenir ideas, this list is a great place to start!
1. KitKat – Nestlé Japan
Crispy wafers coated in smooth chocolate—KitKats are a beloved classic for all ages. Japan is famous for its exclusive local flavors like matcha, sake, and sakura, making them a popular souvenir choice.
Where can you buy it in Japan?
Supermarkets
Convenience stores
Drugstores
Airport souvenir shops
Don Quijote
2. Shiroi Koibito – ISHIYA
A Hokkaido favorite, these langue de chat cookies are filled with melt-in-your-mouth white chocolate. Their elegant tin packaging also makes them a great gift.
Where can you buy it in Japan?
ISHIYA stores
New Chitose Airport souvenir shops
3. Jagarico – Calbee
Stick-shaped potato snacks known for their satisfying crunch and bold flavors like cheese, salad, and spicy cod roe (mentaiko).
Where can you buy it in Japan?
Supermarkets
Convenience stores
Drugstores
Don Quijote
4. Tokyo Banana – Grapestone
A soft sponge cake filled with rich banana custard, this is a must-buy Tokyo souvenir. Limited seasonal flavors like chocolate banana and caramel are also popular.
Where can you buy it in Japan?
Tokyo Station souvenir shops
Haneda & Narita Airport souvenir shops
5. Pocky – Ezaki Glico
Crunchy pretzel sticks coated in chocolate, with many flavors including strawberry, matcha, and almond crush. Easy to eat and fun to share!
Where can you buy it in Japan?
Supermarkets
Convenience stores
Drugstores
Don Quijote
6. Umaibo – Yaokin
This super affordable, puffed corn snack is light and crispy with tons of flavors—from cheese and takoyaki to mentaiko and salami.
Where can you buy it in Japan?
Supermarkets
Convenience stores
Drugstores
Don Quijote
7. Potato Chips – Calbee
Japanese chips come in unique flavors like seaweed salt, consomme, and regional varieties such as Kyushu soy sauce. Thin, crispy, and addictive.
Where can you buy it in Japan?
Supermarkets
Convenience stores
Drugstores
Don Quijote
8. Pure Gummy – Kanro
Fruity gummies with a perfect balance of sweet and sour. The sour powder coating and juicy center make them a favorite among gummy lovers.
Where can you buy it in Japan?
Supermarkets
Convenience stores
Drugstores
Don Quijote
9. Nama Chocolate – ROYCE’
A rich and silky chocolate from Hokkaido made with fresh cream, cocoa mass, butter, and a dusting of cocoa powder. Some flavors include liquor for an extra touch of luxury.
Where can you buy it in Japan?
ROYCE’ stores
New Chitose, Haneda, and Narita Airport souvenir shops
10. Alfort – Bourbon
A delicious combo of chocolate and whole grain biscuits. Available in milk or dark chocolate, Alfort is not overly sweet and has a satisfying crunch.
Where can you buy it in Japan?
Supermarkets
Convenience stores
Drugstores
Don Quijote
Why Japanese KitKat Is So Popular with International Tourists
When it comes to Japanese snacks, KitKat topped the list in a recent TV survey of favorite souvenirs among travelers to Japan. One big reason? The incredible variety of Japan-only flavors. While most countries only carry a few types, Japan offers more than 30 different flavors, including unique regional and seasonal editions.
From Uji Matcha in Kyoto, to Rum Raisin in Tokyo, to Shinshu Apple, each flavor captures a little piece of local culture. It’s this special, limited-edition feel that makes Japanese KitKats such a fun and memorable souvenir.
Top 5 Most Loved KitKat Flavors Among International Visitors
Here are the flavors that visitors say they love the most:
1. Koi Matcha
KitKat Koi Matcha features double the amount of Uji matcha, delivering a rich, intense matcha flavor. The combination of creamy chocolate and crispy wafers perfectly complements the deep, robust taste of the matcha. A must-try for matcha lovers!
2. Strawberry
KitKat Strawberry flavor offers a sweet and fruity taste, with creamy strawberry chocolate coating crispy wafers. The smooth, tangy strawberry flavor blends perfectly with the light crunch, making it a delightful treat for strawberry lovers.
3. The Mt. Fuji Blueberry Cheesecake
The Mt. Fuji Blueberry Cheesecake KitKat is a Japan-exclusive treat with a fun, mountain-shaped package. It features crispy wafers with cheese cream, coated in blueberry cheesecake-flavored chocolate. Sweet, tangy, and creamy, it’s a popular souvenir found at airports and Mt. Fuji tourist spots.
4. Sake
The KitKat Sake flavor is a unique Japanese treat made with Masuizen sake powder from Toyama. The chocolate has a subtle sake flavor, offering a smooth, creamy texture with a mild, refined taste. With just 0.5% alcohol content, it’s a fun, adult-only snack available in select airports and online stores in Japan.
5. Itoh Kyuhemon Uji Matcha
The KitKat Itoh Kyuhemon Uji Matcha uses premium matcha from the famous Uji tea shop. It blends rich matcha with creamy chocolate and crispy wafers, offering an authentic Japanese tea flavor. Available at souvenir shops in Kyoto.
Make Your Japan Trip Even More Memorable with a Ramen-Making Class & Japanese Snack Shopping!
Looking to create unforgettable memories during your trip to Japan? Why not join a hands-on experience that combines cooking and souvenir shopping?
At Patia’s Ramen-Making Class, you'll not only learn how to make authentic ramen from scratch, but you’ll also get the chance to visit a local Japanese supermarket to shop for ingredients. And here’s the fun part—this shopping time doubles as the perfect opportunity to discover popular Japanese snacks and souvenirs!
Local supermarkets are packed with favorites like KitKats, Umaibo, Pocky, and many more treats you might not find back home. Plus, since prices are usually more affordable than souvenir shops, you can stock up without breaking the bank.
An instructor will join you during the shopping trip, so if you're unsure what to pick, feel free to ask for snack recommendations—they’re happy to help!
This tour offers more than just a cooking class—it’s a deeper dive into Japanese food culture. The joy of crafting your own bowl of ramen and the excitement of hunting for unique Japanese snacks make for a truly rewarding and delicious travel experience.
Book the Jiro-style Ramen Making Class
Click here for more details "Ramen Making Experience: Entirely From Scratch!"
For Those Interested in Exploring Other Japanese Cuisine: "Patia’s Japanese Cooking Classes"
In this blog post, we introduced our Jiro-style Ramen making class, but we also offer a variety of other Japanese cooking experiences. From sushi-making classes to creating cute kyaraben (character bento) that represent Japanese culture, these are unique cooking experiences you can only have in Japan. Be sure to check out our other classes as well!
We share behind-the-scenes moments, cooking tips, and beautiful photos from our classes on Instagram! Follow us and join the Tokyo food adventure.
Find us on Instagram @patiajapanesecooking
Contact Us
If you have any questions or want to learn more about our cooking classes, feel free to get in touch! We’re here to help you create unforgettable culinary experiences during your stay in Japan.