The Best Food Souvenirs from Japan: Snacks, Sweets, and Drinks

Last Updated on August 15, 2024 by Kay

Wondering what kind of food souvenirs to buy from Japan that’s recommended by a local?

Whenever I travel to another country, one of my favorite things to do is go to a grocery store and stock up on local food to take home as souvenirs. And I may be biased because I live in Japan but Japanese grocery stores have some of the best food that money can buy.

In this article, I’ll share my top picks for the best Japanese food souvenirs, including snacks, sweets, and drinks. These are items I buy for my family and friends whenever I go back to Canada, as well as things that my family in Japan enjoys as well!

You can buy the snacks and sweets in this list at grocery stores, drug stores, Don Quijote, and some convenience stores in Japan

Also, before you buy, please make sure to check food and drink restrictions when it comes to what you’re allowed to bring into your country.

The Best Snack Souvenirs from Japan

JagaRico (じゃがりこ)

These chips are basically like thin crunchy fries and are super addictive. They come in various flavors like Salad (サラダ）, cheese (チーズ), butter potato (じゃがバター), and cod roe butter (たらこバター).

They also have limited edition flavors, making the choices seem endless!

Note, though, that they might break in your luggage or the carton may get crushed, so keep this in mind!

Cratz

These are a mix of round pretzels with nuts and are a perfect match with beer. I would advise buying more than one because they’re very, very good.

The package with pink writing is peppercorn flavor while the green is edamame.

Mixed Rice Crackers (亀田のつまみ種)

There are lots of rice crackers you can buy as souvenirs in Japan, but this is my go-to for my family. It contains six individual packages, making them easy to share among people.

There are ten different kinds of rice crackers in a package and they all taste great, especially with beer.

(Note that some crackers are shrimp and squid flavored. These rice crackers also contain nuts.

Kameda no Kakinotane (亀田の柿の種)

By the same company as the rice crackers above, these are another hit with my family. The rice crackers are a little spicy and have a nice crunch to them. There are six bags in a package.

The Best Sweets Souvenirs from Japan

Tokyo Banana

My husband gets these whenever he goes on a business trip to Tokyo and they’re gone within a day. The outside is nice and fluffy, like sweet steamed bread, and the inside has a creamy banana custard cream filling.

They also have some with special designs such as Minions and Pokemon!

I mean, look at how cute this is!

Keep in mind that these expire within a week, so check the date before you purchase a box. I’ve heard of people freezing these as well so they last longer.

KitKats (キットカット)

I think everyone knows that Japan is famous for its boundless variety of KitKats that come in dozens of flavors. I’m especially a fan of regional flavors, which as Mount Fuji’s Strawberry Cheese Cake flavor and Kyoto’s houjicha flavor.

Supermarkets and drugstores are less likely to sell regional flavors, but you can still find plenty of other kinds, including seasonal KitKats, at a great price.

Also, did you know that regular milk chocolate KitKats in Japan might taste different from that of your country? I find the Japanese ones more milky and smooth than Canada’s. So it’s worth buying a package and doing a taste test back home!

I don’t recommend buying this if you’re traveling during the summer because the chocolate will melt.

Gummies

My family always asks for these whenever I go back to Canada. It doesn’t matter what kind, they love all gummies in Japan.

Personally, I like the fruit juice gummies called 果汁グミ, which come in peach, muscat, and grape. But if you’re a gummy fan, try out different flavors to find out your favorite.

Milky Candies

These candies are right in between a hard and soft candy. As implied in the name, they taste like sweetened milk and are downright delicious.

Hard Candy

There are a lot of delicious hard candies to choose from in Japan. They’re also individually wrapped, making them perfect to give to multiple people.

Personally, I like Calpis (カルピス) for its creamy sweetness and Mitsuya Cider for its fizz.

Hi-Chew

These soft and chewable candies in different fruit flavors have recently become ubiquitous in the United States, a testament to their deliciousness. However, it’s worth checking out what kinds Japan has, especially since it is the country where Hi-Chew originated.

Japanese Sweets

Grocery stores in Japan have packages of assorted Japanese sweets, which are great for sharing with others. Are they the highest quality when it comes to sweets in Japan? No, you probably want to get those from souvenir shops at airports or specialty shops in department stores or in Kyoto. But these last much longer.

 

The Best Food Souvenirs from Japan

Instant Miso Soup

When I want something warm, comforting, and nutritious to eat, a bowl of miso soup always hits the spot. And when my husband and I just don’t have the energy to make miso soup from scratch or want to just make a bowl for ourselves, we turn to instant miso soup. All you have to do is add the contents into a bowl, pour hot water, mix and you’re ready to enjoy!

Although you might have instant miso soup in your home country, nothing beats the kinds sold in Japan, and there is so much variety so you can try something new.

Miso Paste

Unless you live somewhere with a Japanese grocery store, it might be hard to find miso paste in your country. I found this out when I was visiting my hometown in Canada and wanted to make my aunt miso soup, but I couldn’t find miso paste anywhere!

Miso is so great for flavoring dishes and unsurprisingly, you can find tons of different kinds of miso in Japan. You can even make miso to take home when you’re visiting the country!

Yuzu Kosho (ゆずこしょ)

My cousin had this when she visited me in Japan a few years back and she was hooked, so I always bring her some when I visit.

Yushu kosho is a slightly spicy yuzu and chili paste that you can use to season dishes or put on things like dumplings, chicken, and hot pot. Honestly, you can use it on anything!

These come in both tubes and jars but I recommend getting the jar (it tastes way better).

Kewpie Mayonnaise

There’s nothing like Japanese mayonnaise, in particular, Kewpie. Once you’ve had it, it’s hard to go back to regular old mayonnaise, and it’s something my aunt always asks for when I visit Canada.

One main reason why it’s so delicious is that each bottle contains four egg yolks, giving it a rich and creamy flavor.

Instant Ramen

Japan is the home of instant ramen so if your country allows it, make sure to bring back some packs or cups.

Personally, I don’t each much instant ramen (I know, terrible) but my husband loves Maruchan’s 正麺 noodles.

Cup ramen also comes in limited edition flavors (you’re most likely to find these at convenience stores by the Cup Noodles brand) as well as cute character ones like Pokemon and Chiikawa.

Udon Soup Stock

If you want to whip yourself up a quick bowl of hot noodles, consider buying a pack of udon soup stock. Simply add it to boiling water and you’re done!

Even if this is sold in your home country, it’s probably much cheaper in Japan.

Instant Ochazuke (お茶漬け)

Ochazuke is another warm and filling meal that you can have in an instant with the right ingredients — or should I say package? These contain dry seaweed, green tea powder, and rice puffs. But depending on the type you get, it may also have pickled plum (梅) or dried fish.

Simply add the seasoning to a bowl of rice, pour hot water on top, and you’re ready to eat! These also come in cute characters like Chiikawa.

Furikake (振り掛け)

Furikake is a seasoning that you put on top of rice or mix with rice, and there are so many flavors that it can be hard to choose. For instance, cod roe, salmon, plum, yakiniku, sukiyaki, and wakame, just to name a few.

Gohandesuyo! Seaweed Paste

 

My husband is a huge fan of seaweed paste and puts it on his rice all the time. If you know someone who loves seaweed (nori), they might enjoy this unique souvenir.

Rayu Japanese chili oil (ラー油)

This chili oil gives just the right amount of spice to dishes like ramen and gyoza. It also contains fried garlic, giving it some crunch.

The Best Drink Souvenirs from Japan

Stick Lattes

These powdered drinks come in different flavors such as matcha au lait, cafe au lait, and my personal favorite, caramel macchiato. Just add the powder to a cup, pour in some hot water and you’re good to go — you don’t even need to mix it (although you can if you want).

I love that the drinks are individually packaged as well so you can take them with you or divide a box among friends and family.

Nestle’s matcha latte, pictured above on the top left, contains Hokkaido milk.

Cafe Latory Teas

Made by Blendy, these fruity teas also come in single-serving packs and are also made by pouring the contents into a cup and then pouring hot water on top.

Stick Mate also sells a box with four different types of flavors if you want some variety but I think Cafe Latory tastes better.

Royal Milk Tea (ミルクティー)

My cousin loves milk tea so I always bring her this powdered type when I visit. It weighs a lot less than a bottle and lasts for far longer!

Matcha and Green Tea

What would a trip to Japan be without getting matcha and/or green tea?

For matcha, look for kinds in tin cans. As for green tea, consider buying several kinds from the grocery store to find out your favorite!

Lupicia Tea

I am a huge fan of tea from Lupicia and always buy a ton for my family back in Canada. I love that they have a huge selection, including many kinds of decaf and low-caffeine teas. The packaging on the tins is also incredibly cute.

The Best Alcoholic Drink Souvenirs from Japan

Japanese sake (日本酒)

This might be a no-brainer but small 500 ml bottles of Japanese sake make perfect gifts. My top pick is Dassai, which is smooth with a hint of sweetness.

Umeshu (梅酒)

This plum liquor is easy to drink and a hit with many people, even those who don’t like drinking too often. It’s quite sweet though, so keep this in mind when buying it for someone else.

The CHOYA is one of the most popular kinds of umeshu in Japan because it has the perfect balance of sour and sweet.

Yuzushu (ゆず酒)

I’m a huge fan of yuzu liquor because it’s not as sweet as umeshu and the citrus taste is very refreshing in the summer. I haven’t found a bottle of yuzushu that I didn’t like! (Don’t get anything in a cardboard box.)

Wrap-Up: The Best Japanese Food Souvenirs

I hope this look at my favorite food, snacks, sweets, and alcohol in Japan has been helpful. There is so much variety that you’re bound to find something for everyone — and don’t forget to stock up for yourself too!

Some last tips:

Read the ingredients using Google Translate if you’re purchasing for someone with allergies.

You may want to bring an empty suitcase just for everything you’re going to buy — just try not to go over the weight limit.

Make sure to carefully wrap anything breakable. I like to put liquid items inside individual plastic bags before wrapping them in clothes to help cushion them.

Ensure that you’re not bringing any restricted items back to your country — the last thing you want is to get in trouble with customs!