I’ve been having a lot of fun trying Japanese snack subscription boxes in the past few months. Actually, our whole family has had a blast with this, as we’ve tried boxes from a bunch of different companies including TokyoTreat, Japan Candy box, Sakuraco, and even ZenPop.

Curious how Bokksu compares to the competition? Check out our comparison of all the Japanese snack boxes.

Like a few of the candies in this package, I’m bursting to share my honest thoughts about Bokksu’s authentic Japanese sweets, teas and housewares by local makers in this detailed Bokksu review.

Can’t wait any longer? Order your Bokksu box now.

Why try a Japanese Subscription box?

Ordering a Japanese subscription box is an easy, fun way to explore the culture of Japan without an expensive plane ticket. Sure, it’s not quite the same as going on a culinary tour on the streets of Tokyo, or visiting Japan with kids in person, but for the price difference and the convenience, a Japanese snack box definitely works for our family.

You may be wondering if Bokksu is any different than any other Japanese snack box out there.

It’s true that there are plenty of other Japanese snack boxes delivering snacks like chips and chocolate internationally. However, when you travel in Japan, fresh, artisan snacks served by street vendors are the norm. Unfortunately, getting these unique, artisan treats made by local vendors has been difficult to get outside of Japan.

If you’re wondering how Bokksu differs from TokyoTreat and other competitors, my honest review is about to break it down for your. Keep reading for more!

This review wasn’t sponsored by Bokksu; I paid for this Bokksu box with my own hard earned money. This post does contain affiliate links: I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

My Personal Bokksu Review: What is Bokksu?

Bokksu snack boxes are designed to showcase Japanese culture and bolster small, family-operated enterprises in Japan. They get their artisanal snacks directly from local Japanese snack producers, focusing on authentic rather than mass-produced items.

Each Bokksu box is a treasure trove of 22 Japanese delights, including snacks, candies, and tea. In every box, you’ll find an array of goodies ranging from ramen to mochi to senbei and cakes, blending both sweet and savory flavors. There’s also a new tea pairing each month, a comprehensive 24-page guide, and exclusive treats crafted by local artisans specifically for Bokksu.

The themes of Bokksu Japanese snack boxes varies monthly, focusing on elements unique to Japan such as regional holidays, vibrant festivals, and the distinct character of various prefectures. Our box was on the theme of seasons of Japan, but past boxes have included everything from cherry blossoms in Japan to sunny Okinawa to summer fruits and tropical travels.

Who are Bokksu boxes for?

These snack boxes are for people who are interested in exploring Japanese culture through its cuisine. If you’ve personally visited Japan or toured Japan by train, it’s a real treat to get these authentic treats outside of Japan.

If you’ve never visited Japan before, a Bokksu box can be a great way to close the divide until you get to visit in person.

Additionally, a Bokksu gift box can be a thoughtful gift for those who appreciate unique and international flavors, or for anyone who has experienced Japan and wishes to reminisce about their journey. The monthly subscription, with its changing themes related to Japanese holidays, festivals, and regional specialties, also appeals to those who enjoy the surprise and discovery of subscription boxes, offering a balanced glimpse into Japan’s snack culture.

Bokksu price

As a subscription service, you’ll get a Bokksu box delivered as long as your subscription is active.

You pay for the box a month in advance for the following month’s box. For example, to get the January box, you need to subscribe by the the end of December.

You can choose a 12 month, 6 month, 3 month, or monthly Bokksu subscription. Prices get more affordable the longer you subscribe.

Here are the costs (in USD):

• 12 months for $39.99/month
• 6 months for $43.99/month
• 3 months for $45.99/month
• 1 month for $49.99/month

Shipping is free for Bokksu snack subscriptions to most countries, with some exceptions.

There are additional fees for shipping to Puerto Rico, Malta, Bahrain, the UAE, India, Cambodia, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Brazil, Chile, and Peru. See their shipping page for exact prices for each of these areas.

Bokksu promo code / coupon code

Bokksu is one of those rare companies that actually lists some of the best promo codes and coupon codes on their own website.

Deals vary by time of year, but there are generally one or two discounts on this page:

• See Bokksu’s latest deals and promotions now.

Once you get your first box, you can sign up for the Bokksu refer-a-friend program. With their refer a friend, you get $15 in points for each successful referral, and your friends get $15 off their first order of $40.

• Get $15 off your first order with our link

Where does Bokksu ship?

As of November 2023, Bokksu ships to 69 countries, including the USA, Australia, Canada, Mexico, most of Asia, South America, Europe plus the UK as well as others.

Bokksu delivery time – Is Bokksu reliable?

Our Bokksu crate arrived exactly on time. In fact, I ordered on June 14th, and we got our Bokksu box on June 21st, which I thought was really impressive!

Based on our order, I’d have to say they’re quite reliable.

I especially loved that my Bokksu box came carefully wrapped in protective bubble wrap.

First Impressions of Bokksu Snack Box

If you’re used to TokyoTreat boxes, the first thing that you’ll notice is that Bokksu’s box is about two thirds of the size of TokyoTreat.

The Bokksu box is jam packed with treats and goodies, packed carefully to the brim.

The packaging is quite pretty, with a gold foil seal holding the box together, and subdued colors. The Bokksu team has definitely spent some time carefully designing the look and feel of the box to give a high end impression.

When opening the box, the first thing I saw was the printed snack guide. With 24 full color pages, the guide was full of information on the snacks, and artisans who made them, as well as Japanese culture.

Since we have vegetarians in our family, we really appreciated the nutritional and allergen information in the guide. The guide lists common allergens for each snack, as well as whether or not each snack is vegetarian.

Now let’s get to the fun part – the Bokksu tasting!

As I mentioned earlier, each Bokksu box has a specific theme. The theme for this box is Seasons of Japan.

My favorite thing in the box was the white chocolate infused strawberry. These are strawberries grown locally in Japan, which are then freeze dried and infused with white chocolate. I’ve honestly never tasted anything quite like them, and I’d rate them a 10 out of 10.

The one bite Sesame Mochi were a huge hit too! These were a lot of fun to eat, and soft and squishy to the touch.

They’re little bite-sized mochi with either black or white sesame seeds on the outside. On the inside, there’s a tasty anko red bean filling.

One of my daughter’s favorites in the box was the Matcha Stick Cake with chocolate. It’s a soft cake with matcha from Uji, Kyoto, which is paired with quality bittersweet chocolate chips.

I’m a fan of all things that are crispy and salty. The Iburigakko Smokey Chips are flavored with smoked pickle radish (iburigakko) from the Akita Prefecture. The flavor is paired with Sanshin potato chips made with rice flour. So good!

I also really liked the Tsukisamu Anpan Chocolate cookie, which is a chocolate cookie filled with bean paste. It’s soft, with a rich chocolate interior. It’s great with hot tea!

The Yokahama butter sandwich cookie was also a favorite. These are so cute, as they’re stamped with vignettes of the city of Yokohama. They’re a popular gift for Yokohama tourists. So cute!

Your preferences may be different than mine, but I really enjoyed all of the Bokksu treats I tried. I now have a few treats that I definitely want to keep an eye out for on my next trip to Japan!

Is Bokksu Worth It?

What did I think of this box? Read on for my list of Bokksu pros and cons.

What I liked about my Bokksu snack box

In my honest opinion, I had high expectations for this box. Bokksu markets itself as exclusive and high end, and in my opinion, it definitely delivered.

I loved that the booklet included allergen information, and listed whether each snack was vegetarian or not. With three of the four of our family vegetarians, this was really helpful!

Each snack was beautifully packaged, and I found all of the snacks to be high quality.

What I didn’t like about my Bokksu snack box

The Bokksu box is made of high end, artisanal snacks. This means that some of the snacks are fairly small. For example, my box came with two of those tasty white chocolate infused strawberries, but I definitely could have used more!

Final thoughts on Bokksu Japanese snack box

While more of something good is always better, I found that there was a great variety of snacks in the Bokksu box and 22 snacks in the box were plenty for our family of four! My family enjoyed them as much as I did so they’re definitely something we’ll try again in the future.

I hope you enjoy your Bokksu box as much as we did! Let me know what you think of trying Japanese snacks at home in the comments below!

If you found this helpful, check out our other reviews, or come see us on Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter.

Until next time! – Micki

Are you fascinated by Japanese culture and long to explore the endless variety of snacks, ramen, and unique stationery that the Land of the Rising Sun has to offer?

In our in-depth ZenPop review, our family of four once again dives into the world of Japanese subscription boxes, including the tantalizing ZenPop snack box, flavorsome ramen box, and the creative stationary box.

Our ZenPop review: Is ZenPop worth it?

ZenPop has one of the biggest, if not the biggest, selection of boxes available, which include Japanese subscription boxes for snacks, ramen, stationary, anime, and more!

Keep reading to uncover our hands-on experiences, detailed insights, and find out how you can embark on a delightful Japanese journey right from your doorstep!

In this Zenpop review our family of four shares our hands-on:

• Zenpop Japanese snack box review
• ZenPop stationary box review
• ZenPop ramen box review

Plus we look at the other subscription boxes ZenPop offers, including the ZenPop anime box and limited edition box.

In a hurry? See ZenPop’s boxes here.

ZenPop Snack Box review

There are at least 20 or more new snacks to try in every box, making ZenPop one of the larger subscription boxes we tried.

ZenPop Japanese snack boxes are filled with colorful, high quality treats with a combo of savory and sweet items, bringing Japan’s fascinating food culture straight to your doorstep.

ZenPop snack boxes include candy, beverages, noodles, snacks and drinks, dagashi, chocolate, and seasonal treats. Each box also has a big bowl of ramen and a drink.

Each month’s box is themed differently, with themes like summertime snacks, Kyoto spring, Matsuri munchies, and more.

They offer four subscription plans:

• 12 month plan for $42/month
• 6 month plan for $43.42/month
• 3 month plan for $44.85/month
• a monthly plan for $46.27/month

Can I order just one box from ZenPop

To order just one box, choose the one month subscription plan and turn off automatic renewal immediately. Of all the snack boxes we tried, we found that ZenPop makes it the easiest just to order one box!

There’s also a non-recurring gift box option for the snack boxes, however, it unfortunately only comes in the three, six, or 12 months subscription packages. You can’t select a one month gift option.

Unless you turn off automatic renewal, all non-gift subscription plans (including the one month plan) automatically renew on the 2nd of the month following the receipt of your last pack.

ZenPop discount code!

We reached out to ZenPop, and they gave us a coupon code to give you an 800 Japanese Yen discount on your first order (that’s approximately $5.50 USD). The discount is automatically applied when you use our link below.

Get the discount automatically here.

Is the ZenPop snack box good for vegetarians, vegans or food allergies?

Is ZenPop suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Vegetarians and vegans are on their own with this box. Their website says that “Most Japanese food products are not vegetarian or vegan-friendly. Most of the instant noodles in our Ramen Box contain meat or fish products. Occasionally, some of the snacks in our Snack Box may contain animal products.”

With three vegetarians in our family, we decided to use our handheld translator to scan the ingredients list on the snacks, which worked well for us. We just passed the snacks containing meat to the omnivores nearby.

You can find information on allergens for items in the box on the ZenPop website, and they even come translated into English, French, Traditional and Simplified Chinese. The information booklet in your box has a QR code that leads to the website.

ZenPop Japanese stationery subscription box review

Every month, the ZenPop Stationery Box subscription brings a new and fun theme right to your door. Each month offers a new theme, from glimpses of traditional Japan to whimsical cute puppies, with plenty of variety.

Inside each box, you’ll find:

• High quality pens, pencils, or highlighters
• Unique, fun stickers
• Washi (Japanese paper) tape, which is lightweight and beautifully stylized, great for crafts and decorations
• Sticky notes, memo pads, or letter sets
• Plus new and novel items

This isn’t a huge box, physically, but there are plenty of fun items in here.

Overall, I thought ZenPop Stationery Pack provides a good value, with themed stationery that’s often hard to find elsewhere.

Our daughter, who’s 14, loved the box. She spent about an hour going through the box’s contents, and trying out the erasable highlighter marker (which was very cool!)

Though not everything in the box is perfect for me, the excitement of discovering new items kept me looking forward to the next month’s surprises!

The ZenPop Japanese subscription box has four subscription options:

• $42.42/month – monthly subscription
• $41.00/month – 3 months subscription
• $39.59/month – 6 month subscription
• $38.17/month – 12 month subscription

ZenPop ramen box review

In each ZenPop Ramen pack, you’ll find a minimum of seven full-sized servings of Japanese noodles, shipped straight from Japan, making for a hearty meal experience!

The box includes a selection of the latest and most popular instant noodles, plus some limited edition, regional, or seasonal items. You’ll also find favorites like tonkutsu, shoyu, and shio, plus the opportunity to explore dishes like udon, soba, and yakisoba.

Opening every pack feels a bit like a gastronomic journey to Japan. While some flavors and textures might not be for everyone, it offers a fun way to explore Japanese noodle culture from the comfort of your home!

True to their promise, our ZenPop ramen box had seven unique noodle selections.

We wasted no time trying our first ramen, a Hakata Nagahama Ramen from Marutai. Since the little booklet included in the box doesn’t list a lot of information about the ramen, if you want more detailed information on cooking instructions for the ramen, or on specific allergens, you’ll need to browse to the ZenPop website. There’s a QR code in the booklet that links to the ZenPop website.

The information on the website included cooking instructions for our Hakata Nagahama Ramen from Marutai, as well as information on allergens, and a detailed description of the ramen itself.

Using these instructions, we had a tasty bowl of noodles ready in no time. Since Charles is the only meat eater in our family, and this ramen contained pork, he was the taste tester on this one. It was a definite hit! Just look at all those noodles!

Are ZenPop ramen boxes suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

The short answer is: no. All seven of the ramen bowls in our box contained meat or seafood.

ZenPop ramen box cost

The ZenPop ramen subscription box has four options:

• $45.95/month monthly subscription
• $44.53/month 3 months subscription
• $42.12/month 6 month subscription
• $41.71/month 12 month subscription

ZenPop Limited Edition boxes

In addition to the snack, stationary, and ramen boxes, ZenPop also offers limited edition boxes. Limited edition boxes that have themes like the Asobou Box (Japanese Toy Box).

There are new themes with different limited edition products available on a regular basis, so keep checking back.

Only small runs of each limited edition pack are available, and no two packs are ever the same.

ZenPop anime boxes

Are you an anime fan? ZenPop also has an anime subscription box option.

ZenPop anime packs change monthly. Each month offers new themes, with new products. No two packs are ever the same.

After exploring ZenPop’s offerings, our family had an interesting glimpse into Japanese culture.

Want to try ZenPop? Use our ZenPop promo code!

We reached out to ZenPop, and they passed on a coupon code for a 800 Japanese Yen discount on your first order (that’s approximately $5.50 USD)! The discount is automatically applied when you use our link, below.

Get the discount automatically here.

Have you tried ZenPop? What did you think? Share your ZenPop review in the comments!

Our family of four taste-testers embarked on a culinary journey through these two impressive Japanese snack subscription boxes. Both are significant challengers, offering an array of tantalizing treats, each sporting an attractive price tag, and both with the benefit of free worldwide shipping. Let the flavor battle commence!

We’ve talked before about TokyoTreat snack boxes, and what we enjoyed the most about them. Today we try another TokyoTreat box, and compare it to one of their competitors: Bokksu.

Get Tokyo Treat now.

Get ready globetrotters, foodies, and Japan enthusiasts, as we unpack a savory and sweet showdown between TokyoTreat and Bokksu, two titans of the Japanese snack subscription box world.

The pressing question of the day: which box of Japanese delicacies truly delivers the most authentic and delicious experience?

Sure, they both come with a palatable price point and the allure of free worldwide shipping – a definite nod of approval there!

But each comes with its unique blend of goodies, promising a different yet equally exciting venture into the realm of Japanese snacks.

So, fasten your seat belts and whet your appetites as we dive headfirst into this taste-off to see which box can truly transport your senses to the streets of Japan!

TokyoTreat vs Bokksu

Ever fantasized about a dusk-time ramble through Kyoto’s lantern-lit lanes or a mid-afternoon saunter through Hokkaido’s bustling markets, all while indulging in Japan’s intriguing munchies?

No matter if you’ve already wandered through Japan’s mesmerizing streets, dreamt about a culinary adventure on the island nation, or just have an insatiable curiosity for unique snacks, this review is your one-way ticket to a genuine Japanese taste-venture.

Cozy up and ready your palates, folks, because we’re about to delve into the TokyoTreat and Bokksu subscription boxes – your express ticket to Japan’s edible treasures!

We’ll talk about what both Japanese snack boxes do well, what they have in common, and what they do differently,

Let’s look at TokyoTreat and Bokksu and see which we liked better!

First impressions

Let’s embark on a gastronomic odyssey through Japan’s snack-scape with TokyoTreat and Bokksu!

Both boxes arrived on our doorstep in good condition, and on time.

The most obvious difference here is that TokyoTreat’s box is much larger!

Both boxes came with a helpful, and detailed, booklet describing the snacks, and talking about Japanese culture.

The Bokksu booklet had a section that taught a few Japanese words, which was a lot of fun.

The TokyoTreat booklet was 25 pages long, and packed full of interesting facts about Okinawa, photos and descriptions of each snack, and a contest. The book opened on the left hand side, like Japanese language books do, and I thought that was a neat detail. The theme for this box was Okinawa seaside snacks.

What’s in the Tokyo Treat box?

• 15 to 20 full size Japanese snacks
• 1,300g (2.86 lbs) or more in each Tokyo Treat box
• Tokyo Treat boxes include exclusive Japanese drinks, instant ramen, rare Japanese KitKat flavors, salty and crunchy chips or snacks, fun candy, plus cakes, cookies and breads.
• Each box includes a 24 page culture guide, with photos of the snacks, and a full description.

What’s in the Bokksu box?

Each Bokksu box comes with 22 Japanese snacks, candies, and tea

• Bokksu boxes include treats like mochi, senbei and cakes, with a mix of sweet and savory, a new tea pairing, and Bokksu exclusives made by local makers only for Bokksu
• a 24 page guide

The snacks

Both boxes were packed full of delicious snacks!

The larger TokyoTreat box was full of 20 full size snacks, Japanese drinks, instant ramen, rare Japanese KitKat flavors, salty and crunchy chips or snacks, fun candy, plus cakes, cookies and breads.

This is the third ToyoTreat box we’ve gotten, and all three have been equally full of great snacks.

The Bokksu box comes packed with 21 snacks, including tea, aligning the total count of delicacies in both boxes. However, the composition of these treats varies between the two.

The goodies from both boxes were fantastic and rocked my taste buds!

One of the first snacks we tried from TokyoTreat was the cookies and cream KitKats, and they were delicious, and definitely satisfied our sweet cravings.

Sure, I’ve still got a bunch of snacks to munch through, but let me tell you, both boxes have absolutely smashed it this month. They’re both killin’ the snack game, no doubt about it!

Get Tokyo Treat now.

See our full Tokyo Treat review here.

Bokksu snack boxes are geared to display Japanese culture and support small family-run businesses in Japan. They say they directly source their artisanal snacks from local snack makers in Japan, rather than using commercial snacks.

Bokksu’s boxes change each month, and focus on a theme that’s curated around Japanese holidays, festivals, and prefectures

Shipping is free on all subscriptions, and they ship to a long list of countries.

While the Bokksu snacks were delicious and unique, there are a couple of places where the Bokksu box doesn’t quite measure up.

First, the Bokksu box doesn’t include a Japanese drink, while TokyoTreat does.

Secondly, if you’re a fan of ramen, you’re out of luck with the Bokksu box, as our box didn’t include a ramen offering, but TokyoTreat did.

There’s even a recipe in the TokyoTreat box, outlining how to serve it with summer toppings like cucumber, ham, egg and special furikake on top.

TokyoTreat vs Bokksu – which is more affordable?

Bokksu lets you choose a 12 month, 6 month, 3 month, or monthly subscription.

• 12 months for $39.99/month
• 6 months for $43.99/month
• 3 months for $45.99/month
• 1 month for $49.99/month

TokyoTreat offers four subscription plans:

• 12 month plan for $32.50/month
• 6 month plan for $33.50/month
• 3 month plan for $35.50/month
• a monthly plan for $37.50/month

TokyoTreat definitely wins out for cost. They’re cheaper for all four subscriptions.

If you want the best value, TokyoTreat’s 12 month plan is only $32.50, while Bokksu will set you back $39.99 per month. If you just want to try a month-to-month subscription, ToyoTreat’s is just $37.50 for a month, while Bokksu is $49.99.

TokyoTreat vs Bokksu for vegetarians, food allergies, and dietary restrictions

What I really like about TokyoTreat is that there’s complete information on allergens in the box.

Since three of the four members of our family are vegetarian, I really appreciated that each snack item was marked as safe for vegetarians (or not) in the culture guide.

Bokksu also hits the mark here, with allergens and vegetarian friendly snacks clearly marked in the booklet.

Which is better – TokyoTreat or Bokksu?

TokyoTreat and Bokksu both offer high quality Japanese snack boxes, and I think most people would love either one. For me, the winner lies in the details, price, and size.

TokyoTreat is the clear winner in box size and price as well. On top of that, the TokyoTreat boxes are always fun, colorful and full of great snacks, and come with ramen and a drink, which Bokksu doesn’t offer.

From the moment the TokyoTreat box comes in the mail, to the moment each snack is done, I feel like we’ve been transported to Japan without ever leaving our home.

Get Tokyo Treat now.

Gather ’round, folks, because our family is taking a deep dive into the Japan Candy Box. We’re asking the big question today: is this sweet deal really worth it?

Sure, it’s got a pretty neat price tag and the worldwide shipping is free – that’s a massive thumbs up! But it’s also one of the smaller treasure chests we’ve opened up, with just 10 goodies tucked inside. So, let’s buckle up and see if this petite package truly packs a punch!

Ever fancied a late-night stroll down Tokyo’s glowing streets, or a surprise find in an Osaka back-alley shop, all while savoring Japan’s oh-so-sweet goodies? Well, pull up a chair and grab your chopsticks, because we’re about to unbox the Japan Candy Box – your express delivery of Japan’s yummiest treasures!

Whether you’ve navigated Japan’s labyrinth-like lanes, daydream about the land of the rising sun, or just love trying out outlandish flavors, this review’s got you covered. So, let’s take a wild ride through Japan’s candy wonderland.

Curious? See Japan Candy Box’s prices now.

Japan Candy Box Review

And here’s the cherry on top – we’ve got a contest where one lucky reader can score their very own Japan Candy Box! So, let’s take a wild ride through Japan’s candy wonderland. Keep scrolling to the end, because a sugar rush – and possibly a whole box of sweetness – could be just a scroll away!

Alright, buckle up folks, we’re diving in! First things first, the Japan Candy Box may not be the largest kid on the Japanese snack block, but it sure is one of the most affordable. And it offers free worldwide shipping – yep, FREE! So no matter where on the globe you’re indulging your sweet tooth, this box has got you covered.

Here’s how it works: you pick a plan that suits your snacking style, place an order, and voila! Your first box of delicious Japanese goodies ships out.

Japan Candy Box cost

You’ve got three options – a monthly plan, a 6-month plan, or a whole year of candy!

Pricing’s pretty sweet (in US dollars):

• monthly plan is $29.90/month
• 6-month plan is $27.90/month
• 12-month plan is $24.90/month

Get Japan Candy Box now.

What to expect in each box

No matter which plan you pick, you’re in for a treat – literally. Each box comes packed with 10 exclusive Japanese munchies. We’re talking popular brands like Pocky, Hi-Chew, Pretz, Jagabee – the list goes on! Each box is a surprise mix of traditional flavors like matcha and wasabi, Japanese Kit Kat, chewy candy, sour candy, character snacks, and DIY candy kits.

Charles couldn’t resist the Mentos DUO muscat and soda candy – he polished it off before I could snap a pic, so I had do do a little questionable Photoshop magic to show you! These Mentos are one of his new favorite snacks!

I love spicy food, so I went straight for the super spicy mania red and green peppers corn snacks. They definitely delivered on the spicy part! I’d put the spicy level right up there with the spiciest chips you’ll find in a Doritos Roulette bag.

The Japanese snacks here are definitely something that I’ve never seen in North America. One of the first ones I tried was the LOOK Japanese Tea House tea flavored chocolate. These are tiny milk chocolate squares flavored with Hojicha roasted green tea and Genmai Che brown rice tea. Our family was mixed on this – our son and I liked them, but Charles and our daughter weren’t as convinced.

Our son and daughter split the coveted Kit Kat Matcha Latte Chocolate bar, and reported back to me that it was every bit as tasty as they expected.

There are plenty of other interesting flavors in the box, including the Umaibo Yakitori Corn Stick Snack. This is a popular dagashi – a crunchy corn snack that tastes like yakitori, a beloved street snack of grilled chicken skewers with a sweet soy glaze.

Each box ships with a cute, helpful information booklet. The booklet describes each snack that you’ll receive, with an accompanying picture to help you identify it. It also talks a bit about the theme of the box – our theme was Time Travel Treats, with both traditional and modern snacks.

The booklet was incredibly helpful for us, as writing on the snacks is almost exclusively Japanese, and none of us can read the language. Even with a photo translation app, it was helpful to be able to just look at the photo in the booklet, and know a bit about the snack.

Is Japan Candy box good for vegans or gluten free?

Now, if you’re a vegan or on a gluten-free diet, be aware that Japanese manufacturers usually don’t specify if their snacks fit the bill. Some larger snacks do have ingredients listed on the label (in Japanese, of course), so you can whip out your handheld translator device and check for yourself.

Can I order only one box?

Fancy just a one-time candy spree? No problem! Pick the 1-month plan and cancel it after your first box is shipped, and before your renewal date, or you’ll be charged for the next month.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Do remember that 6-month and 12-month plans can’t be canceled or refunded after the first box has shipped. If you do need to cancel, simply log into your account. Just be sure to do this before your subscription renewal’s first box has shipped.

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Japan Candy Box’s refer-a-friend program

Japan Candy Box has a refer-a-friend program.

The program lets you invite friends to enjoy their own Japan Candy Box and you get $5 USD credit to your account for every friend who successfully subscribes! This isn’t cash in hand – the $5 goes onto your account as a credit for future purchases. If you have a subscription, it’s automatically applied to your next renewal.

Japan Candy Store

But hey, let’s say you’ve fallen head over heels for a particular treat. Or maybe you want to skip the surprise factor and pick out your favorites straight away. Japan Candy Store’s got you!

With a mammoth selection of Japanese candy and snacks, this online store’s got all your cravings covered, from candy and cookies to chocolates and even grocery items. They’ve got Japanese Kit Kats, Pocky, DIY candy kits, Hi-Chew, matcha treats, and even mouthwatering ramen.

Charles’ favorite Mentos DUO Candy – Muscat & Soda? Yeah, they’ve got that too! I’m sneaking some into his next Christmas stocking – but let’s keep that between us, alright?

Just like the Japan Candy Box, the store offers online order tracking once you get your shipping email. So you’re never left wondering where your sweet haul is! So, what are you waiting for? Hop on the Japanese candy express and let the snacking adventure begin!

Check out Japan Candy Store now.

It’s contest time!

Looking to score yourself a sweet, sweet Japan Candy Box for yourself. Look no further – just enter our contest below*!

*Contest is run by Japan Candy Box. The Barefoot Nomad is not responsible for prize fulfilment.

Looking for the best Japanese snack subscription boxes? Our family of four gives the most popular snack boxes a try, and we name our favorites in our personal, hands-on review.

Japan’s unique snacks are an unforgettable part of any trip to Japan.

Have you dreamt of exploring the rich and diverse flavors of Japan from the comfort of your home?

Whether you’re a first-time traveler eager to pre-taste the vibrant and unique culture, or a seasoned Japan traveler missing those special treats, there’s a subscription box just for you.

In a hurry? Our top picks

• Best for families or big snackers: Tokyo Treat
• Best for high quality regional snacks: Sakuraco
• Cheapest Japanese snack subscription box: Japan Candy Box
• Strongest focus on Japanese culture and supporting small Japanese businesses: Bokksu
• Biggest selection of boxes – snacks, ramen, stationary, anime, and more ZenPop

We got our first Japanese subscription box a couple of years ago, and fell in love with the (to our Canadian tastes) unusual, fun, and tasty snacks inside. Since then, we’ve had a chance to try many different snack subscription boxes from Japan, and now we can share the pros and cons of each.

Why get a Japanese subscription box?

First off, the convenience is unreal! Picture this: you’re relaxing, maybe binge-watching your favorite anime, and BAM! A box filled with unique Japanese snacks lands at your doorstep. No more scavenger hunts in the international food aisle trying to dig up those rare treats. Pretty cool, right?

And let’s chat about the range of snacks you get. These boxes are like a fun foodie tour around Japan! You get everything from Kyoto’s lush matcha goodies (green tea heaven, anyone?) to Hokkaido’s sweet red bean yummies to Okinawa’s tasty seaweed crunchies.

Oh, did I mention surprises? Because every month is surprise time! Just when you think you’ve tasted it all, you’ll find another trove of snack treasures waiting for you. It’s like getting a birthday present every month (only this one’s full of snacks and not another pair of socks from Aunt Bertha).

And it’s not just about the snacks. These boxes give you a real taste of Japanese culture (quite literally!) You’ll often find little nuggets about where the snacks come from, their history, and how the locals enjoy them.

If you have specific dietary needs, don’t worry, you’re not left out. Many of the better snack boxes have you covered with vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free snack options, so everyone can join the Japanese snack party.

So, follow along with us as we personally compare the best Japanese snack boxes in our independent review.

How do Japanese snack subscription boxes work?

A Japanese snack subscription box, like Tokyo Treat or Sakuraco, is like getting a surprise present every month, filled with yummy snacks from Japan!

These boxes have different treats inside, like candies, chips, and cookies, all from Japan. They often have interesting flavors and cute packaging that you might not find in your local stores.

When you sign up, the company sends you a new box each month, so you get to try lots of different snacks and have a fun taste adventure without even leaving your house! It’s like having a tiny bit of Japan delivered right to your doorstep.

What to look for in a good Japanese candy or snack subscription box

When choosing a Japanese snack subscription box, be mindful of a few things to avoid. Ensure the box offers a good mix of sweet, savory, and unique snacks, as limited variety might get boring over time.

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, look for a subscription box that clearly marks allergens. Not all of them do!

Be cautious of hidden fees, high shipping costs, or extra charges for customization. Choose subscriptions that offer different plans, like monthly, bi-monthly, or one-time purchase options and then purchase accordingly.

Lastly, find a subscription box that includes a guide or booklet with information about the snacks, their ingredients, and their origins in your native language, so you can appreciate and enjoy the treats even more.

By considering these factors, you can find a Japanese snack subscription box that offers delicious treats, caters to your preferences, and provides a delightful experience.

Best Japanese Snack Subscription Boxes

We’ve tried most of these boxes first hand, and give you our honest opinion of what’s good and what isn’t. We share which one offers the best selection, caters to specific dietary requirements, or provides the most value for the cost.

All prices are in USD, unless we note otherwise.

Tokyo Treat

Tokyo Treat is one of the biggest, and best, Japanese snack boxes out there.

We’re big fans, as the boxes we get are always packed full of tasty treats, drinks, and a wonderful guide with helpful cultural information and a description each snack.

We’ve gotten the Tokyo Treat box a few times, and we’re always impressed. The boxes are big, and the treats inside are full size.

The ramen is a standard portion – it’s big enough that our two teenagers wanted to share it!

What’s in the Tokyo Treat box?

• 15 to 20 full size Japanese snacks
• 1,300 g (2.86 lbs) or more in each box
• Tokyo Treat boxes include exclusive Japanese drinks, instant ramen, rare Japanese KitKat flavors, salty and crunchy chips or snacks, fun candy, plus cakes, cookies and breads.
• Each box includes a 24 page culture guide, with photos of the snacks, and a full description.

What I really like is that there’s complete information on allergens in the box.

Since three of the four members of our family are vegetarian, I really appreciated that each snack item was marked as safe for vegetarians (or not) in the culture guide.

They offer four subscription plans:

• 12 month plan for $32.50/month
• 6 month plan for $33.50/month
• 3 month plan for $35.50/month
• a monthly plan for $37.50/month

Get Tokyo Treat now.

See our full Tokyo Treat review here.

Sakurako

Sakurako is always a hit in our house.

While the boxes are smaller than Tokyo Treat, there’s a real emphasis on quality snacks made by smaller, local Japanese businesses.

Each Sakuraco box includes 20 authentic Japanese snacks and candy.

That includes traditional Japanese treats (wagashi), and afternoon tea pairing (like matcha or hojicha), snacks like senbei or konpeito. It also includes authentic home goods like ceramics or chopsticks. Every box includes a 24 page snack and culture guide.

There’s a new theme each month.

Sakuraco works with many Japanese family-owned businesses to source and deliver Japanese tea, sweets and snacks from local makers.

There’s a full guide inside each Sakuraco box, with nutritional information and allergy information.

The guide also includes detailed information on the snacks and snack makers, with an emphasis on Japanese culture.

They offer four subscription plans:

• 12 month plan for $32.50/month
• 6 month plan for $33.50/month
• 3 month plan for $35.50/month
• a monthly plan for $37.50/month

See prices at Sakuraco.

Read our full Sakurako review.

ZenPop Japanese Snack Box

ZenPop Japanese snack boxes are cute, high quality treats with a combo of savory and sweet items, bringing Japan’s fascinating food culture brought straight to your doorstep.

There are at least 20 or more new things to try in every box, making ZenPop one of the larger subscription boxes we tried.

ZenPop snack boxes include candy, beverages, noodles, snacks and drinks, dagashi, chocolate, and seasonal treats. Each box has a big bowl of ramen and a drink.

Each month’s box is themed differently, with themes like summertime snacks, Kyoto spring, Matsuri munchies, and more.

They offer four subscription plans:

• 12 month plan for $42/month
• 6 month plan for $43.42/month
• 3 month plan for $44.85/month
• a monthly plan for $46.27/month

To order just one box, choose the one month subscription plan and turn off automatic renewal immediately. Of all the snack boxes we tried, we found that ZenPop makes it the easiest just to order one box!

Unless you turn off automatic renewal, all subscription plans (including the one month plan) automatically renew on the 2nd of the month following the receipt of your last pack.

You can find information on allergens for items in the box on the ZenPop website translated into English, French, Traditional and Simplified Chinese. The information booklet in your box has a QR code that leads to the website.

Is ZenPop suitable for vegetarians and vegans? Vegetarians and vegans are on their own with this box. Their website says that “Most Japanese food products are not vegetarian or vegan-friendly. Most of the instant noodles in our Ramen Box contain meat or fish products. Occasionally, some of the snacks in our Snack Box may contain animal products.”

With three vegetarians in our family, we decided to use our handheld translator to scan the ingredients list on the snacks, which worked well for us. This was fine since we just passed the snacks containing meat to the carnivores.

If you’re looking for other Japanese goods, ZenPop has different types of subscription boxes, including food, ramen, stationary, anime and occasional limited edition boxes that have themes like the Asobou Box (Japanese Toy Box).

Read our dedicated ZenPop review here.

We reached out to ZenPop, and they gave us a code to give you an 800 Japanese Yen discount on your first order (that’s approximately $5.50 USD). The discount is automatically applied when you use our link, below.

Get the discount automatically here.

Bokksu

Bokksu snack boxes are geared to display Japanese culture and support small family-run businesses in Japan. They say they directly source their artisanal snacks from local snack makers in Japan, rather than using commercial snacks.

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A post shared by Bokksu (@bokksu)

Each Bokksu box comes with 22 Japanese snacks, candies, and tea. The box includes treats like mochi, senbei and cakes, with a mix of sweet and savory, a new tea pairing, a 24 page guide, and Bokksu exclusives made by local makers only for Bokksu.

Bokksu’s boxes change each month, and focus on a theme that’s curated around Japanese holidays, festivals, and prefectures

Shipping is free on all subscriptions.

They ship to a long list of countries.

You can choose a 12 month, 6 month, 3 month, or monthly subscription.

• 12 months for $39.99/month
• 6 months for $43.99/month
• 3 months for $45.99/month
• 1 month for $49.99/month

Visit the Bokksu website.

Japan Candy Box

The Japan Candy Box subscription contains popular snacks, DIY candy kits, traditional treats, chocolate, exclusives, potato chips, ramen noodle snacks, and dagashi. You’ll find popular brands like Pocky, Hi-Chew, Pretz, Jagabee.

This is one of the smaller boxes in our list, with 10 exclusive Japanese treats each month, but it comes in at a lower price point than the larger boxes.

Subscription boxes with Japan Candy box aren’t generally themed.

Shipping is free on all subscriptions. You’ll get your first box 2-4 weeks after you place your order.

Subscriptions cost:

• 12 months for $24.90/month
• 6 months for $27.90/month
• 1 month for $29.90/month

Those prices make Japan Candy Box the cheapest Japanese snack subscription box in our review.

With every plan, you prepay the entire amount of the subscription up front. For example, if you choose the 12 month plan, you’d pay 298.80 in advance (12 * $24.90/month).

Your subscription renews automatically. You can cancel your subscription, but if you have already paid for the next box and it has been assigned a tracking code, you won’t get a refund.

Important: The six and 12 month plans can’t be canceled or refunded after the first box has been shipped.

To get only one box, choose the one month subscription and cancel it after it’s shipped.

Japan Candy Box isn’t vegan or gluten free. They say they can’t guarantee snacks don’t include animal based products or gluten, since Japanese manufacturers usually don’t specify if the snacks are gluten-free or vegan.

Want to learn more? See our dedicated Japan Candy box review here.

See Japan Candy Box subscriptions here.

Japan Crate

Japan Crate‘s boxes include 18 to 20 snacks and candies, including sweet, crunchy and chewy treats, plus an exclusive drink from Japan.

They’re a fun crate to open, with bright colored branding, plus fun box themes, like a bullet train themed box.

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A post shared by Japan Crate (@japancrate)

There area even chances to win fun prizes like a round trip ticket on a Japanese bullet train.

The Japan Crate subscription costs:

• 12 month plan for $45.79/month
• 6 month plan for $46.95/month
• 3 month plan for $47.95/month
• 1 month for $49.95/month

There’s free shipping from Japan.

Visit Japan Crate here.

Umai Crate

Japan Crate also has an Umai Crate, which is a their Japanese ramen subscription box.

The Umai Crate includes 8 to 10 of Japan’s easy and quick instant noodles, a bonus culinary item, an exclusive recipe card using items inside the crate, plus an easy-to-follow booklet with translations and instructions.

• 12 months $45.79/month
• 6 months for $46.95/month
• 3 months for $47.95/month
• 1 month for $49.95/month

See the Umai crate.

MunchPak

MunchPak is a subscription box for snacks from around the world.

Their boxes aren’t exclusively made of Japanese snacks, but boxes often include Japanese snacks, along with snacks from other countries.

Each box is filled with new and popular snacks from around the world.

You can even add soda to your MunchPak for a $6 fee.

There’s a guide inside each box with interesting facts and information on the snacks you receive.

Shipping to the USA is free, but there are varying charges for international shipping, depending on which country you’re shipping to.

Like most of the other subscription boxes, MunchPak charges for your entire 3, 6, or 12 month subscription up front.

Your subscription renews automatically. You can cancel or pause your subscription anytime before you’ve been charged for your subscription.

MunchPaks are shipped within 72 hours after your order is processed and payment is received. 

Subscriptions cost:

• 12 month plan for 22.95/month
• 6 month plan for 24.95/month
• 3 month plan for 25.95/month
• 1 month for $26.95

If you really love something in your box, MunchPak also has an online store where you can buy individual items.

See MunchPak’s boxes.

Manga Spice Cafe

Love Manga? Manga Spice Café is a monthly manga maid café in a box!

Because it’s all about manga, it’s not necessarily Japanese only.

Each box has:

• 3 brand new manga
• 5-6 Asian snacks (including a drink)
• an info sheet
• a unique, themed anime maid mascot

Snacks include sweet and savory items, and can include classic Pocky, Korean BBQ chips, mochi cakes, a special cafe drink, sangria juices and herbal dessert teas.

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A post shared by Manga Spice Cafe (@mangaspicecafe)

Manga Spice Cafe has two subscription options:

• USA month-to-month subscription
• International subscription, available for Canada, the UK, or the rest of the world

Cost and shipping details:

• Cost: USA $29.50/month, Canada $39.50/month, UK $39.50 GBP/month, international $39.50/month
• Shipping: USA $5.95 shipping, Canada (a pretty eye-watering) $18.25 shipping fee, UK 13.81 GBP shipping fee, international $18.25 shipping fee

All subscriptions renew automatically, and you can cancel anytime.

See more here.

Japanese candy box with no subscription

Not sure if you want Japanese snacks every month? We have you covered.

If you’re in the mood for a one time Japanese snack box, we have a few choices for you as well.

Goldbelly

Goldbelly offers boxes of unique Japanese sweets from the renowned Patisserie Tomoko in Paris.

Honestly, these look absolutely amazing.

Goldbelly’s The Best of Tomoko Sweets box by Patisserie Tomoko is a one time box.

The box costs $89.95 USD with free shipping to the USA.

The package contains six boxes of Japanese-inspired pastry specialties.

IMPORTANT: Put the items in the fridge immediately on arrival.

Treats come in a beautiful gift box, and include:

• 3 pieces of assorted mochi
• 5 assorted macarons
• 1 box of yuzu cookies
• 1 box of caramel nut sandwiches
• 1 box of Patisserie Tomoko’s crunch

They ship to the USA only.

You can see the full ingredients on the Goldbelly website to check for allergens, or to see if the box is suitable for your vegetarian, vegan or gluten free diet.

See the Goldbelly’s Tomoko sweets box here.

Sign up with this link to get $25 off your first order on Goldbelly (we get $25 too).

Japanese Snack box on Amazon

There are only a handful of quality one-time Japanese snack boxes available on Amazon.

Kawaii Treat (one time box)

The Kawaii Sweet Japanese snack box comes with 15 items, and weighs in at 1.2 kg. It includes snacks, ramen, noodles, KitKats, drinks and more.

There’s even a booklet with allergy and vegetarian information and information about the sweets.

It’s delivered directly from Japan.

See Kawaii treat box on Amazon here.

Sanrio Hello Kitty Snack Box

The Sanrio Hello Kitty Snack Box has an assortment of unique Japanese snacks, candy, and drinks.

The total weight is 65.6 ounces.

There’s no information on vegan, vegetarian or gluten free options, but each box might contain wheat, soy, dairy, peanuts, and/or tree nuts.

See the Sanrio Hello Kitty Snack Box on Amazon here.

The Best Japanese Snack Packs

No matter which Japanese snack pack you get, whether it’s a year long subscription or just a one time purchase, you’re sure to receive something new to you, even if you’ve lived in Japan for years.

We love the variety and especially love the full color English booklets most come with. Not only do they give some background information but they also translate what you’re eating.

Looking to find out a bit more on each snack you’ve received? Make sure to grab the Google Translate app on your phone or tablet and use the Google Lens camera auto translate feature. The translations are often quite humorous however that’s half the fun. We’ve also opened many without reading anything about them first and had the opportunity to taste some very interesting flavors and textures we might never have experienced otherwise.

Do you have a favorite Japanese snack? Let us know in the comments below! We’d love to learn more!

Cherry blossom festivals are one of Japan’s most beloved cultural traditions. Every year, during the Spring festival season, visitors come from all over the world to see the beautiful cherry blossoms. Within days of the flowers opening, Instagram overflows with stunning pictures and videos of the many cherry trees in Japan.

Best time to see cherry blossoms in Japan

Because cherry blooms are dependent on the weather, the exact time the cherry blossoms emerge varies from year to year. Every Spring, travelers wait for the sakura (cherry) trees to burst into bloom, and descend on the country to see this unforgettable sight.

Most festivals take place between March and May, and they’re a wonderful place to take in more than just cherry blossoms. Most festivals feature live music, food, craft stalls and tea ceremonies beneath the blossoms.

To get a rough estimate of when the cherry blossoms start, take a look at the last five year’s festival dates, and find an average of that to estimate the time of the cherry trees blossoms.

Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Cherry blossoms are a symbol of renewal and hope, and the coming of spring. Once you have your visa for Japan in hand, follow our tips for the best cities to see cherry blossoms.

While you can see pretty blossoms at many parks and even along boulevards, several cities and small towns are especially well known for their cherry blossoms. For the most part, these cities have festivals that coincide when the cherry trees come into bloom.

Wanting to join in the festivities? Here are our picks for the top places to see cherry blossoms in Japan, along with the top cherry blossom festivals and viewing spots in Sakura season.

Yoshino, Kansai

Yoshino is known as the Cherry Blossom Capital of Japan. Small town Yoshino gets quite busy during cherry blossom season. Because it draws thousands of visitors, and there are a limited number of places to stay, accommodation is generally booked out well in advance.

Luckily, it’s possible to visit the Yoshino blossoms on a day trip from Nara or even Osaka.

The best time to visit Yoshino is usually from mid-April until early May each year. Check a cherry blossom forecast for more exact dates.

Hirosaki Castle, Tohoku

If you want to avoid the crowds, Hirosaki is a great choice. While it’s hugely popular, the park also covers a large area of over 50 hectares, which keeps it from feeling crowded.

The castle here, Hirosaki Castle, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan however all that’s left of the castle these days is the 200-year-old keep.

The park itself is crisscrossed with moats from the historic castle with cherry trees flanking the moats, alongside lovely, arching bridges. Walkways are often lined with a variety of flowers, including tulips and irises making the walk even more memorable.

There are over 2,500 cherry trees in Hirosaki, making for a fully immersive cherry blossom experience.

Fuji Five Lakes, Chubu

The Arakurayama Sengen-kōen park is in Fuji-Yoshida, a city at the base of Mt Fuji, with almost 700 sakura trees.

As you can imagine the photos in Fuji Five Lakes are gorgeous, with Mt Fuji in the background, and the Chureitō Pagoda in the front of the frame. It’s likely a photo that you’ve seen often and incorporates 3 things that Japan is known for in one picture.

The best time to see cherry blossoms in Fuji Five Lakes is generally from late March to early May.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a city with a long history that dates back to the 700s. Once the Imperial city of Japan, the architecture and general vibe of this culture-rich city reflect its origins.

Kyoto has many wonderful places to see cherry blossoms, making it hard to pick just one.

Maruyama-kōen (Maruyama Park) may just be the best place to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto.

You will find the wonderful Gion Shidare-zakura (in English, the “Weeping Cherry of Gion) in the middle of the park. The tree is over 10 meters tall (32 feet), and lit up at night. The nearby Shirakawa canal is lined with cherry trees and lit up at night as well.

While the Weeping Cherry of Gion is stunning, there are almost 700 other cherry trees in full bloom in the park and it makes a great place to see in person.

Tokyo

Tokyo is home to thousands of cherry trees that draw in thousands of tourists. Blooms usually last a couple of weeks.

Tokyo’s Yoyogi-kōen (Yoyogi Park in English) is a vibrant, fun place to take in the cherry blossoms. It’s a huge, sprawling area in the heart of downtown Tokyo. During cherry blossom season, it’s packed with people picnicking under the blossoms.

If photos and video are your priority, visit the stunningly picturesque Shinjuku-gyoen.

Nakameguro is Tokyo’s best neighborhood for seeing cherry blossoms, with numerous streets lined with cherry trees.

Osaka

Osaka is one of Japan’s most beautiful cities, and that’s saying a lot in a country known for its charm.

It’s an excellent choice to visit if you can’t visit Japan until later in the cherry blossom season, as cherry trees bloom later here than in other parts of Japan.

For the most part, the best time to view cherry blossoms in Osaka is the third week of March. The blossoms hit full bloom (known as mankai in Japanese) around April 1st.

Osaka Castle and its surrounding garden is a wonderful place to see cherry blossoms. The castle itself is a striking piece of medieval Japanese architecture that photographs well against the light pink or white cherry blossoms. the area is known for.

Himeji Castle, Kansai

Himeji Castle is only four hours west of Tokyo by train, making it easy to access for most visitors.

The castle only reopened to visitors in 2015, but it has quickly become popular with tourists and locals alike.

There are free areas at Senhimebotanen Garden (Sannomaru grounds) and paid areas at Nishnomaru grounds.

Matsumae Park, Hokkaido

Hokkaido is Japan’s most northern island, and home to Japan’s northernmost castle in Matsumae Park. There are over 10,000 trees here, with 250 varieties of blossoms. Because of the many varieties, which bloom at different times, Matsumae Park has a long viewing season until late April.

The castle is illuminated at night, making for a magical sight.

Matsumae Park is just a short walk from the city center, making it easy to access.

Articles you’ll enjoy

• 10 Insanely Helpful Tips For Visiting Japan With Kids
• Sakuraco Box Review – Is This Japanese Sweets and Snack Box Worth It?
• Our Tokyo Treat Review: Is This Japanese Subscription Box Worth It?
• 10 Tips for Traveling Japan by Train

Do you have any places you love to see cherry blossoms in Japan? Tell us in the comments below!

Finding authentic Japanese snacks and sweet treats outside of Japan can be really difficult, especially in our area of Canada. That’s a huge shame, since food gives us a unique insight into the culture of a country, and snacks are an easy, fun, and accessible treat.

We tried the Sakuraco Japanese subscription box, and here’s what we thought.

Our Sakuraco Box Review

Our Sakuraco box came securely wrapped in a thick layer of bubble wrap. All the contents inside were in perfect shape.

I really loved the muted earth tone of the box, accented with gold. The elegant packaging really fits with the upscale snacks inside as well.

See Sakuraco box pricing here.

What’s inside the Sukuraco box?

The Sakuraco box is filled with locally sourced Japanese teas, sweets and snacks. There are 20 new, seasonal snack treats in each box and each box often includes treats from different Japanese prefectures.

Each box includes traditional Japanese teas such as matcha, hojicha or other seasonal teas, as well as Japanese home goods like ceramics, chopsticks or furoshiki. You’ll also find traditional Japanese cakes, and sweets like mochi, manju and yokan. There are also seasonal treats like momiji, and sakura, along with senbei and konpeito from local makers.

Each box comes with a gorgeously detailed snack and culture discovery guide. The guide describes each snack in English, along with its origin and often information about the area the snack derived from. Boxes also come with complete allergen information for each item.

We reviewed the December Hokkaido Winter Festival box.

With three vegetarians out of the four of us, we were thrilled to see that Sakuraco notes in the guide whether or not each treat is vegetarian.

While most of the treats in our box were vegetarian friendly, there were a few that weren’t exactly to our tastes however that’s to be expected when given an assortment and why these types of boxes are great for families or groups of people. Being able to share an experience, good or bad, is always a great bonding experience.

That said, there were definitely a few that stood out for each of us.

Our Favorite Sakuraco treats

My daughter’s favorite snack was the Hokkaido milk karinto. It’s a lightly fried wheat batter made with Hokkaido milk, and coated with a sweet, sugary coating.

One of Charles’ top picks was the Yubari melon chocolate sandwich cookie. It’s made with Yubari melon, which is a classic Hokkaido flavor, coupled with white chocolate and two layers of crisp butter cookies.

Our son really liked the banana baumkuchen. It has thin layers of sweet egg batter with a light, banana flavor. It’s meant to be enjoyed with tea or coffee, but we ate them plain.

My two favorites were the Kobukoro mochi and the walnut mochi.

I’m usually not a fan of seaweed, but I absolutely loved the Kobukoro mochi, which are flavored with the umami Hokkaido kobu, which is type of seaweed. Delicious!

The walnut mochi is made with red sweet bean and mochi rice, with chunks of roasted walnut. The guide said it has a hint of soy sauce flavor (which I couldn’t pick up on, honestly). It comes wrapped in a thin layer of edible rice paper.

Just don’t make our initial mistake, and assume the outer white cardboard is the edible rice paper. (Hint: It’s not!)

The edible rice paper is, of course, the thin, translucent wrapping around the sticky walnut mochi and dissolves quickly in your mouth.

How much does Sakuraco cost?

The cost for Sakuraco is $37.50 for a one month box.

That cost drops to $35.50 per month if you get a three month subscription, and drops again to $33.50 for a six month subscription.

The most affordable option is $32.50 per month for a 12 month subscription. You’re charged the full amount of each subscription when you sign up.

Sakuraco delivery

You can get your Sakuraco box delivered worldwide.

Boxes are sent by trackable or express delivery. If your country doesn’t support express shipping, Sakuraco will deliver your box with Japan Post Priority Shipping and Tracking.

Sakuraco vs Tokyo Treat

We tried the Tokyo Treat box earlier this year (see our Tokyo Treat review here).

Overall, the Sakuraco box is smaller than Tokyo Treat however they do include different things in them which will appeal to different groups.

Once you look inside, the Sakuraco snacks are much more adult focused than Tokyo Treat. They’re both fantastic boxes, but I’d say that Sakuraco would be a better box for adults and older children, while Tokyo Treat’s larger box with more brightly colored popular snacks is a great fit for young families, especially those with younger children.

Is Sakuraco Box worth getting?

Both the box, the English guide and the snacks within, while not all to our taste, are well presented and a fun way to explore both the culture and flavor of a distant land for a fraction of what the airfare alone would cost.

Whether you’ve already been to Japan and have a fondness for the snacks or have never been and are curious what kinds of things they call tasty, these subscription boxes offer us a glimpse of travel without ever having to leave our home and for that they get a thumbs up.

We look forward to trying out more of these services in the future.

As any seasoned traveler can tell you, local food and cuisine often plays an integral role in experiencing a new area. While an authentic and delicious full course meal has made us fall in love with a country more often than we’d admit, we find it’s the snacks that often define a people and their culture.

So what happens when the world is a little more shut down and you can’t just jump on a plane and fly somewhere to sample things? Well, sometimes the easiest answer is to just get food shipped to you.

Unfortunately, it can be really hard to find authentic Japanese snacks and candy outside of Japan. That’s where Tokyo Treat come in.

Japanese snacks and candy are thought to be some of the most unusual and fun treats in the world.

Right now, travel’s still a bit expensive and difficult, so a trip to Japan, though solidly on our bucket list, isn’t in our immediate future. As much as I want to visit Japan as a family, and travel Japan by train, we’re going to wait until travel is less complicated for us.

Luckily, trying Japan’s fun snacks is a nice way to experience a bit of the culture, even if we can’t be there in person right now.

So, we were really excited to try the Tokyo Treat box.

What is Tokyo Treat?

Tokyo Treat is a monthly subscription box that’s shipped directly from Japan.

A typical Tokyo Treat box includes:

• a drink exclusive to Japan
• a rare KitKat Party Pack
• assorted Japanese snacks (2.7 plus pounds / 1.2 kg)
• a full sized Japanese crazy candy, crunchy chips, and more
• an illustrated English guide describing each snack in the box
• a special contest or rewards for Tokyo Treat members

Our Tokyo Treat Review

Let’s start with the question that almost everyone asks first: How much does Tokyo Treat cost?

The cost is $35/month for a monthly subscription.

If you get a 12 month subscription, the cost drops to $31.50/month. It’s $32.00/month for a six month subscription, or $33.50/month for a three month subscription.

The cost for Tokyo Treat is in USD, and you can cancel anytime.

What’s inside the Tokyo Treat candy box?

Our October 2021 Tokyo Treat box was Halloween themed. So much fun!

Throughout the year, Tokyo Treat offers several themed boxes, including Halloween and Christmas.

Our Halloween box came with:

• Grape Calpis Soda
• Cinnamon Apple KitKats
• Red and Black Magic Gum
• Pokemon Halloween Choco Corn
• Umaibo cheese
• Tongari Corn Halloween Butter Toast
• Pocky Crushed Strawberry
• Mini Monster Fruit Candy
• Spooky Water DIY Kit
• Halloween New Mochi Taro
• Happy Halloween Fugachi
• Holland Senbai
• Maple Butter Beer Ramune Candy
• Mini Strawberry Milk Coco Balls
• Umaiwa Mentai flavour
• Full Moon Pon
• Halloween Pizza snacks
• A snack guide with photos of each snack, and an English explanation of each snack
• A member only contest for a chance to win Japanese KitKats

I was impressed by the number of snacks in the Tokyo Treat box. There were 17 different treats and snacks for us to try.

Luckily, there was a really helpful snack guide, with photos of each snack, and a short description.

The Umaibo cheese was one of my personal favorites. It’s about a four inch long hollow tube that tastes a lot like a fluffy, sweeter cheese Cheeto. So good!

The Pocky Crushed Strawberry was probably my son’s favorite. It’s a thin, sweet stick that’s a lot like a chocolate wafer, dipped in a sweet strawberry glaze (like a strawberry chocolate flavor).

My husband’s favorite was the mini monster fruit candy. It’s a lot like a fruit rollup, but he loved how each color was a different, distinct flavor.

The Mini Strawberry Milk Coco Balls were a hit with everyone. They had a nice white chocolate and strawberry flavor inside of a crunchy candy coating. Yum!

My daughter was especially excited to try the drink, which was a refreshing Calpis soda with a unique sweet grape fizzy and milky goodness.

The anime style cartoon on the front of the snack guide was really beautifully drawn. It was a custom cartoon designed for this specific box, with details about what was inside the box in the cartoon. Very cool!

Where does Tokyo Treat come from?

The Tokyo Treat box ships worldwide from Tokyo every month.

Want to try some tasty Japanese candy and savory snacks?

Get your own TokyoTreat box and try Japanese snacks at home for yourself!

Japan is undoubtedly one of the best kid-friendly destinations in the world! There is a magnitude of things to do in Japan with kids and the number is constantly growing.

City streets may be narrow and crowded, but it’s well worth the adventure thanks to its interesting destinations, rich culture and unending attractions that would be rewarding both for you and the young ones.

Editors tip! Planning a visit to Japan? Whether you’re on a girlfriend’s trip, or visiting Japan solo, visiting Japan by train is a rite of passage!

Get a JR pass before you leave, though! You can’t buy a JR Pass once you’re in Japan, so you’ll need to plan ahead and buy one before you arrive! When you arrive in Japan, simply exchange the voucher for the actual pass at a JR office.

See JR Pass prices and more info here!

10 Tips For Visiting Japan With Kids

Here are 10 helpful tips for travel to Japan with kids, including a list of fun things to do in Japan with kids.

What to Expect

While Japan is an extremely safe and busy country where everyone seems to mind his/her own business, it is still important to understand that it is a hierarchical society. In other words, everyone and everything has its place in the society.

Traditionally, children are expected to stay at home in care of their mothers. That is why strollers are very rare to spot on the streets. This doesn’t mean that kids do not go out with their parents. You will see parents out with their kids, but they’re expected to keep them in check always. Letting your kid yell or run around in restaurants or trains is unacceptable and will earn you lots of cold glares.

Flying In

It is often advisable to consider Japanese airlines such as All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airline when flying to Japan with kids. Why? Well, you may have to pay a little extra, but they’re astonishingly kid-friendly. Some of the services include special infant meals and cosy bassinets. These airlines also offer child seat rental service as well.

It will cost you a little extra for the seat, but it is well worth it. They also offer a special check-in counter for families, as well as free kids’ play areas at the Narita Airport in Tokyo where you’ll typically be let to cut in the security line.

Travel Light

It is strongly advisable for parents traveling with kids to any Japanese destination to always consider traveling light. You do not want to find yourself in a situation where you are pushing a giant stroller with your kid on it while pulling a large suitcase behind you whilst trying to master stairs.

That said, traveling to and around Japan with a stroller is a nightmare you would not wish to go through. Strollers are a rarity in Japanese cities and will have many pedestrians and travellers sneering at you because they’re an inconvenience not just to you, but also to others.

Trains are always overcrowded especially during rush hours, paths to shrines and temples are customarily made of gravel and to make it even worse, city sidewalks are narrow and ever busy. That is why we recommend for you to just leave your giant stroller at home.

You should instead, consider using baby carriers or umbrella strollers, which are fold-able and lightweight. You can also consider traveling with backpack diaper bag instead of a giant suitcase, which we use constantly. These backpacks have plenty of space for everything your little one will need, but also comes with heaps of space for your camera, water bottle and perhaps change of clothes. These are items that you can one-handedly or easily carry down or up the stairs, let alone the fact that they can fit just about anywhere in the trains or through normal ticket gates.

Using Public Transport

Japan has one of the best and safest transport systems in the world. Kids under 6 years old travel for free on all buses and trains. Children who are over the age of 6, but under the age of 12 are required to pay half the price. You can therefore, consider acquiring a kids’ version of JR (Japan Rail) Pass Suica Smart Card, which can be used just about anywhere.  We found that it was so much more affordable to use the Japan Rail Pass for the entire family, rather than purchasing the tickets separately.  You can read more about the benefits of the JR Rail Pass here.

Some of the public transport modes to consider include:

Local Trains

Local city train systems are very punctual, reasonably priced and very quick. Even when travelling from one side of the city to the other, it is fairly easy to navigate to your connecting trains. Once you get used to the sign system and following the coloured lines, you will be OK even in the largest of train stations. Your little ones might have a few stairs to go up and down on, but it is not a big issue here. It is our recommendation that you avoid the hectic rush hours. On weekdays, it peaks between 8-9am towards the city centres and again at 5 pm from the city centres.

Long-Distance Trains

Children aren’t entitled to their own seats in long-distance trains and can use any free seat if there’s any. It is strongly recommended to book your seats in advance, in order to avoid scenarios, when there are no more free seats available. Standing with your kids whilst on the train, is not the most fun adventure.

Super modern Shinkansen bullet trains are very much kid friendly! They are fitted with modern change tables and breastfeeding booths. On the other hand, bullet trains can be unsuitable for your kids as the high-speed vibrations can make some kids nauseous. Therefore, kt’s important to feed them lightly or wait for the modern bullet trains such as the N700, which plies the Tokyo-Osaka route. You can also consider using the Super View Odoriko express if you’re traveling to the Izu Peninsula since it has a wonderful kids’ play area.

Taxi

It is a requirement that kids below the age of 6 have a child car seat when traveling in cars. Taxis are, however, exempted from this law and are not required to have kid’s car seats. If that feels a bit uncomfortable for parents, then hiring a car or choosing public transport is a safer option.

Accommodation

As expected, the majority of the accommodation in Japan is pretty compact and most of the time you will be sleeping on a traditional Japanese futon. We recommend looking for a larger family size hotel rooms and (our favourite), Airbnb options. This way you can stay as close to the main areas of the cities for a fraction of the hotel-room price.

Looking for a great deal on your next Airbnb? Click here to get a $35 USD credit!

Bring Your Own Baby Supplies

Japan is one of the most developed countries in the world and you will have no problem finding anything for you little one. However, you need to be aware that the quality of diapers may vary from your country and the baby food can be slightly different to what your little one is used to. Saying that, you will have no problem finding baby supplies, should you run out.

Things to Do when Visiting Japan with Kids

As an utterly kid-friendly country, there are a lot of things to do and places to visit with kids in Japan. Some of them include:

Nara Park, Nara

Nara Deer Park is one place that your kids cannot miss out on. Nara is home to over 1500 wild deer that are very much accustomed to visitors hand-feeding them. So, make sure to grab a bag of local deer delicacies sold at any vendor and feed them till the heart is content.

Himeji Castle, Himeji

Dating back to the 17th century, Himeji Castle is the biggest castle in Japan and will surely intrigue both you and your kids with its winding maze-like alleys, gigantic towers and numerous secret rooms.

Tokyo Disneyland, Chiba

Perhaps the biggest American culture symbol in Japan, Tokyo Disneyland is inspired by Disneyland in the United States and is very popular particularly when celebrating western holidays such as Halloween and Christmas.

Miraikan, Tokyo

This is a futuristic national science museum, which showcases several scientific trends from around the world. Both you and your kids will get educated on matters such as deep sea, environment, biology, space, robotics and many more. Your kids will also be involved in several hands-on activities.

Other places include: Todaiji Temple in Nara, Skytree in Tokyo, Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka and Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto.

It’s pretty much easy to see that Japan is a modern and bustling country with cities that look almost like super-charged New York City. Whether you’re old or young, Japan is beautiful and has everything for everybody. It is also one of the safest, cleanest and most advanced countries in the world. Better still, it is one of the most kid-friendly nations in the world. Japanese people are very hospitable and English is widely and commonly used. With the above tips, a trip to Japan, “the Land of the Rising Sun” with kids is destined to be enjoyable and utterly memorable.

Author Bio:

This guest post is brought to you by Andrzej & Jolene from Wanderlust Storytellers, a widely successful family travel blog. They love sharing their passion for travel with people all around the globe.

Visiting Japan has been on our family bucket list for as long as I can remember.  At the top of that list is Tokyo, one of the world’s most interesting cities. But what many people don’t consider is that Tokyo itself is made of many diverse neighborhoods, each worth visiting in its own right.

A Guide to Tokyo’s Best Neighborhoods

Let’s look at some of Tokyo’s most interesting neighborhoods, and the things not to miss while visiting them.

Shibuya

One of the fastest-moving and most exhilarating city districts in the world, Shibuya is exactly how we would imagine the center of the world’s largest metropolis to be: full of bright lights, attractions and an enormous crowd of people, locals and tourists alike.

Shibuya Crossing is the world’s busiest and largest pedestrian crossing – the perfect meeting point for those planning to dive headfirst into the Tokyo nightlife as well as for sampling local food at its best or for embarking on a shopping spree in the district’s legendary mall, Shibuya 109.

One of the most colorful spots in the district is Harajuku, a meeting place for young people dressed in the most colorful modern clothes and a pop-culture hub like nowhere else in the world.

Ueno

Ueno is Tokyo’s cultural center, home to dozens of concert halls, art exhibitions, temples and museums. Ueno is also home to the Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Zoo and many say the district is busy yet peaceful at the same time.

When you are tired of visiting cultural venues, the best way to relax is by taking a walk in Ueno Park, a huge garden of cherry trees that blossom from March to May, attracting lots of people to admire the beautiful blossoming trees that are so iconic in Japanese art and culture.

Marunouchi

Wedged between the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station, Marunouchi is among the city’s oldest districts and also a busy commercial center with designer boutiques and elegant restaurants.

Shimokitazawa

If you’re looking for a more bohemian, less crowded district and want to see a different face of Tokyo, Shimokitazawa fits the bill. The dominant style here is vintage and the entire district is beautifully disorderly. There are art exhibitions, live music venues, tiny vintage shops and cozy cafes everywhere.

Sumida District

This neighborhood is a must-see for those interested in Japanese culture. There are bathhouses and traditional wooden buildings, plus wonderful opportunities to explore Japanese sumo traditions. As well, there are beautiful parks and gardens that combine to provide an artsy and comforting experience.

The district is also home to the Edo-Tokyo Museum, a history museum that shows what Tokyo was like in the Edo period that spanned the 17th-19th century.

Tsukiji

Seafood is just as much part of the Japanese culture as sumo wrestling, kimonos or ikebana, and there is no better way to check out Japan’s fresh seafood scene than in Tsukiji, the world’s largest seafood market.

The wholesale area is home to hundreds of small stands that sell all sorts of local delicacies and the marketplace is also famous for the tuna auction held early in the morning every day. The market is also said to have the best sashimi (thinly sliced raw meat or seafood) in the world.

Have you been to Tokyo? Do you have a favorite neighborhood that’s worth visiting? Let us know in the comments!