The Japanese candy scene offers a delightful variety of sweet, sour and savoury flavours. Many of them have exciting textures and can even be soft or powdery. Indulging in these treats will transport your taste buds to a new world of culinary experiences unique to Japan.
We travel to Japan often and have tried almost every type of confection available. So, you've come to the right page if you're looking for some serious Japanese snack reviews.
Sweets from Japan, known as dagashi, are delicious and worth trying. They differ from what you'll get in the UK or US because they often feature unique Japanese flavours like matcha or sakura (cherry blossom).
If you're looking for the best Japanese candy, you can find a lot of them online through websites like Amazon. Unfortunately, not all of these snacks are readily available outside of Japan. Nonetheless, we've compiled a list of popular treats that many of you can find online. So keep reading to find out more.
Jump to:
- Best Japanese Candy (Our Favourites)
- Konpeito
- Umeboshi candy
- Jelly candy
- Fujiya Milk
- Meiji gummies
- Ramune Soda Candy
- DIY candy kit
- Hi-chew
- Cider Candy
- Soda Pop Gummy Candy
- Chocolate-Filled Salt Caramel Candy
- Japanese mochi sweets
- Bontan Ame Pomelo Soft Candy
- Caramel Peanut Crunch Candy
- Hokkaido Melon Candy
- Calpis Milk Candy
- Bourbon Fettuccine Gummy
Best Japanese Candy (Our Favourites)
Our top three favourites are konpeito, umeboshi and almost every product from Meiji. Konpeito is the best Japanese candy because it reminds us of childhood with its lovely pastel colours. A close second is umeboshi sweets, which are a great hangover cure. The sourness wakes you up.
Lastly, any treat from Meji is always a favourite. The confectionery maker has been around for years and makes the most popular Japanese candy. If you want to try any of them, check out our favourite Japanese snack boxes, which have various snacks to indulge in.
Konpeito
Konpeito is a traditional Japanese candy that has been enjoyed for centuries. These small, pastel treats have a sweet, delicate flavour. The texture is also similar to rock candy. It is crunchy, with a slightly grainy texture that melts in your mouth. Manufacturers use crystallised sugar syrup to make konpeito. The syrup is used to build up sugar layers to create a smooth and shiny starlike shape. Because of its shape, it also has the nickname 'star Japanese candy'.
We like konpeito because the traditional snack tastes sweet and delicate. It is perfect for those who enjoy light and refreshing treats. Konpeito also has a long history and cultural significance in Japan, making it a popular and well-loved sweet treat.
The Portuguese introduced konpeito in the 16th century, and the Japanese adapted it to suit their tastes. Therefore, you're getting a Euro-Asian flavour that's unique. Today, this traditional Japanese candy is still handmade in small batches using traditional techniques. Hence, its traditional production methods and cultural significance make it a must-try when visiting Japan.
Konpeito
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Umeboshi candy
This treat is a type of sour Japanese candy that is made with pickled plum. The pickled plum (umeboshi) has a distinctive tart and salty taste. Sweet makers combine the flavour of umeboshi with sugar, resulting in a unique sweet and sour taste.
We love this sweet treat because it offers a delicious combination of sweet and sour. The snack is also convenient for when you're on the go. This is also a typical snack featured in a Japanese candy box.
This popular umeboshi treat is unique to Japan and China. Snacking on this sour Japanese candy is a great way to experience a traditional flavour in a modern, convenient form. Additionally, the snack differs from what you might find in other countries. Therefore, eating umeboshi is a unique and memorable experience for those who enjoy trying new things.
Umeboshi
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Jelly candy
Try this delicious jelly Japanese candy, a gummy-like dagashi made from sugar, gelatin and fruit juice. These dagashi have a soft and chewy texture. They also come in various flavours, such as strawberry, grape, peach, and more. The gummies have a sweet and fruity taste that is popular.
Fans of Korean candy might also recognise these gummies as they are popular in both countries. They are often sold in Japanese candy boxes as well!
Like the Korean version, the jelly sweets in Japan have a light and refreshing flavour. Therefore, they are an excellent option for those who enjoy sweet treats without overpowering flavours. In addition, the snack's soft and chewy texture adds a fun and playful element to the experience. We love the fresh flavours of these gummy treats.
You must try jelly Japanese candy when in Japan to experience the juicy and chewy goodness. They're made with authentic fruits and are simply mouth-watering. The dagashi comes in individual packs, so you can easily keep them in your bag. These gummies are perfect for a light after-dinner snack or a perk-me-up between meals.
Peach Jelly Pack
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Fujiya Milk
One look at the adorable Fujiya brand mascot, and it's irresistible not to buy their milk Japanese candy! These small milky candies come individually wrapped in various flavours, including plain, strawberry, and chocolate milk. Milk Japanese candy has a sweet and creamy taste similar to condensed milk. The manufacturers have made this dagashi with premium national ingredients, including natural spring water (sourced near Mt. Fuji) and condensed milk from Hokkaido.
We enjoy Fujiya’s candies for their unique milky flavour and texture. In addition, the snack has a smooth and silky taste, unlike any other confection we have tried before. The individually wrapped packaging makes it easy to enjoy as a small treat throughout the day.
The company, Fujiya, has manufactured these cream-filled delights for more than 70 years. So these Asian sweets are a popular nostalgic treat for many people. This dagashi is also one of the best Japanese candy on Amazon that you can find.
Fujiya Milk
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Meiji gummies
If you love chewy textures, you must try the gummy Japanese candy made by the confectionery company Meiji. They offer various shapes and flavours, including grape, strawberry, orange, and lemon. The dagashi has a chewy and bouncy texture. Also, it is flavoured with real fruit juice, resulting in a sweet and fruity taste.
Meiji gummies are among our favourite dagashi for their unique texture and fruity flavours. The gummy is soft and chewy, making it fun and playful. In addition, various refreshing flavours, such as grape and orange, make it great to enjoy as a small treat throughout the day.
Meiji gummies are unique to Japan because of their high-quality ingredients and attention to detail. In addition, Meiji is known for using real fruit juice in its gummy sweets, which gives them a natural and authentic flavour. So if you want to find the best Japanese candy on Amazon, we recommend choosing Meiji.
Meiji Gummy Variety Packs
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Ramune Soda Candy
This yummy snack is a hard Japanese candy resembling small and round pellets. They taste sweet and fizzy, just like Ramune. Ramune is a citrus-flavoured carbonated soft drink popular in Japan.
The snack offers a fun and playful way to enjoy the taste of Ramune soda in an easy-to-eat form. Several manufacturers produce the dagashi, but we like the Morinaga ones best. They have packaged these popular treats into soda bottles, which look like the original drink. The twist-off packaging is also convenient and fun.
In Japan, trying this Ramune soda treat is a must because of its connection to the popular Ramune soda drink. The carbonated soft drink has been around since the late 1800s and is often associated with summer festivals and events in Japan. If you want to buy traditional Japanese sweets with a contemporary look, get your hands on these snacks!
Morinaga Ramune Soda Sweets
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DIY candy kit
You will probably recognise these super cute miniature dagashi from those popular DIY kit videos on Youtube. These DIY Japanese candy kits come in a variety of flavours and textures. There are plenty of different kits sold. You can make mini doughnuts, hamburgers and fries, pizza slices, ice creams, and even a matsuri festival kit. These kits contain ingredients, tools and instructions - you usually just need to add water and microwave them.
We like DIY Japanese candy for its interactive and creative aspects. The kits provide a unique and fun way to create your dagashi and experiment with different flavours and textures. It can be a great activity to do with friends or family!
These DIY Japanese candy kits are typical of Japan's innovative spirit and are a must-try when you get there! It is creative and interactive, offering a unique DIY experience. Additionally, many kits feature unique and creative designs influenced by J-pop culture and trends.
DIY candy kit (Ramen, Waffle and Bento set)
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Hi-chew
Hi-Chew is a treat with fruit flavours and a chewy texture similar to soft toffee. The snack comes in various flavours, such as strawberry, grape, melon, and peach. The dagashi has a delicious and fruity taste with a soft, chewy texture that makes it enjoyable to eat. It also retains a long-lasting flavour when you chew it. They also come in a wide range of flavours meaning that there is something for everyone.
Hi-Chew originated in Japan. It was invented in the 1960s and is a popular Japanese candy. It is also known for its high quality and fruit flavours. Ultimately, Hi-Chew is a must-try when visiting Japan.
Hi-Chew Variety Pack
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Cider Candy
The company, Mitsuya, offers another type of hard Japanese candy inspired by the popular carbonated soft drink, Mitsuya Cider. The dagashi comes in four different fruity flavours. You'll find the original cider flavour, pink grapefruit, white grape, and lemon.
It is a hard snack with a sweet, tangy flavour like lemon-lime soda. Then, when you eat it, it slowly dissolves in your mouth, releasing its sweet and savoury flavour. In addition, it has a refreshing and fizzy taste that is similar to the Mitsuya Cider drink.
We enjoy this Mitsuya Cider treat because of its unique flavour and association with a popular drink. We highly recommend this snack if you like something that tastes sharp, sweet and sour! Additionally, this is one of our favourite vegan Japanese snacks too.
This cider-flavoured snack is unique to Japan because the confectioners have used a carbonated soft drink only available in the country. Therefore, this popular Japanese candy is a must-try since it is almost impossible to find outside the country. Plus, it's an invigorating post-dinner treat on a hot summer day!
Mitsuya Cider Treat
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Soda Pop Gummy Candy
Soda Pop Gummies are another soda-flavoured popular Japanese candy, except that it's in gummy form. They're soft and taste like grape or orange soda. The treat instantly melts once you put it in your mouth. The dagashi has a sweet and fruity flavour reminiscent of popular carbonated soft drinks. The texture is smooth and chewy, giving a satisfying mouthfeel.
This gummy is one of the best candies because they are so fun to eat! It tastes like a soft drink, and the chewy texture adds to its appeal. It's an enjoyable snack for when you are craving fizzy soft drinks without actually drinking soda.
Try Soda Pop Gummy Japanese Candy when visiting Japan because it represents the country's playful and fun culture. It also makes a great souvenir and is a perfect snack for adults and children.
Grape Soda Pop Gummies
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Chocolate-Filled Salt Caramel Candy
Try the UHA Mikakuto Shio no Hana brand if you love salted caramel candies. It's salty-sweet with a hard exterior. The exterior is caramel flavoured and is seasoned with rock salt, lending an intense kick to the flavours. The salt is derived from shio-koji, a traditional condiment in Japan. Bite into the sweet, and you'll taste chocolate that is sweet, salty and slightly savoury!
We love the blend of salty flavours because the contrast differs from any dagashi we've tried. It tops our list of Japanese snacks we need to get our hands on when we're in the country.
Besides, it's hard to find this savoury Japanese candy outside Japan since shio-koji is only available in the country. Therefore, grab a packet of these quickly if you ever find yourself in the country.
Japanese mochi sweets
Sakura Mochi treats are soft traditional candies from Japan with a smooth mochi-like texture. The dagashi is artificially coloured pink to represent the sakura flower, which usually blooms during spring.
The dagashi has a delicate and slightly sweet flavour with a hint of saltiness. The texture is soft and chewy, similar to that of mochi. Many people, like us, enjoy pairing sweet Sakura Mochi snacks with earthy-tasting green tea. Plus, it's conveniently wrapped in individual packets, which makes it easy to share with family and friends!
This sakura mochi treat is uniquely Japanese because it features the iconic sakura flower, which is significant in the country’s culture. The sakura symbolises the transience of life and the beauty of nature.
People usually eat sakura mochi during the spring season when the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, and it is a must-try treat for those visiting Japan during this time. Additionally, the dagashi is made with traditional ingredients and techniques, making it a traditional Japanese candy.
Sakura mochi
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Bontan Ame Pomelo Soft Candy
If you like pomelo, try Bontan Ame’s soft citrusy treats. The manufacturers created this traditional Japanese candy with pomelo, a citrus fruit similar to grapefruit. The confectionery is soft and chewy and wrapped with edible rice paper. Bontan Ame has a sweet and sour flavour that is reminiscent of grapefruit but with a slightly sweeter taste. The soft and chewy texture makes it a pleasant treat to enjoy.
This is one of our favourite dagashi. It's also one of the best Japanese candy on Amazon when you're feeling super sleepy. The sweet and sour taste can jolt you awake in mere seconds! The rice paper that melts in your mouth is also a pleasant sensation.
Bontan Ame is something you must try in Japan because it features pomelo. You might not be able to find pomelo-flavoured sweets outside of Asia. Therefore, Bontan Ame is a must-try in Japan because you won't be able to find this traditional Japanese candy outside the country!
Bontan Ame
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Caramel Peanut Crunch Candy
This sweet and crunchy popular Japanese candy made with caramel and roasted peanuts is the perfect treat for a fellow peanut lover. The sweet comes in small bite-sized pieces. You'll often see it wrapped in colourful foil or packaging.
Regarding taste, this Caramel Peanut Crunch treat has a sweet buttery flavour from the caramel. In addition, crushed peanuts add a nutty and crunchy texture. The combination of flavours and textures create a satisfying and delicious treat.
We like to add this dagashi to our ice cream or yoghurt, but eating it plain is excellent too! This crunchy caramel peanut snack is a must-try for those with a sweet tooth. The sweet buttery flavour of caramel combined with nutty and crunchy textures is a winning combination many people enjoy. So whether you're looking for a midday snack or a sweet treat after dinner, this snack is perfect.
Caramel Peanut Crunch Pack
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Hokkaido Melon Candy
Hokkaido melon-flavoured treats are a popular Japanese candy made with Yubari melon, a sweet and fragrant melon variety grown in the Hokkaido region. It is typically square-shaped and individually wrapped, making it a convenient treat. The dagashi combines real melon juice with milk to yield a sweet fruity flavour. It's the best snack to try if you like fruit. We are huge fans of Hokkaido melons!
This melon-flavoured confection is a must-try in Japan because it features a fruit not commonly found outside Asia. The dagashi is made with traditional ingredients and techniques, making it authentic. In addition, the sweet's unique flavour makes it a popular souvenir for those visiting Japan. Whether you're a fan of melons or just looking to try something new, Hokkaido Yubari melon sweets are a satisfying treat.
Hokkaido Melon Hi-Chew
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Calpis Milk Candy
Do you like smooth, creamy snacks? Then Calpis Milk is the best Japanese candy we can recommend. This dagashi contains Calpis, a famous drink in Japan that is similar to yoghurt in flavour and texture. It also adds French cultured butter, which gives a rich texture when you bite into it.
Calpis Milk tastes sweet and tangy, just like yoghurt. However, if you keep chewing, you can taste the milk and butter within it. We love the unique and creamy taste of Calpis in the dagashi! When you're in Japan, try this milky sweet because it features a popular local drink not commonly found outside Asia. It also makes a great souvenir to bring home from Japan!
Calpis Milk
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Bourbon Fettuccine Gummy
Last but not least, you must try this popular Japanese candy! The snack is shaped like thin, flat noodles and has a thin layer of sugar coating.
The dagashi has a sweet and fruity flavour reminiscent of fresh fruits. The snack has a soft and chewy texture, similar to traditional gummies. Additionally, we love the unique shape. The dagashi's noodle-like shape makes it a fun and playful snack.
While the snack’s brand name is Bourbon, there is no alcohol to the treat. It comes in many different fruit-based flavours that are refreshing.
Go to any snack shop in Japan and pick up a packet of these gummies. The unique shape is perfect for an exciting souvenir. We also like the rich flavour of grape, which makes you feel like you are eating the real deal.
Bourbon Fettuccine Gummy
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If you love Japanese candy as much as we do - why not try some Japanese snack boxes for more treats? Check out our Instagram @honestfoodtalks for more mouth-watering recommendations and Asian candy!
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