What Is a Japanese Snack Box?

As the name might indicate, a Japanese snack box is just that — a box filled with tasty snacks that are imported from Japan. Some boxes offer familiar favorites that you might find at your local Asian grocery store, such as Pocky and flavored Kit Kat bars, while others specialize in exclusive, locally made treats found only in Japan. Many Japanese snack boxes are available as a subscription, so you can enjoy these tasty snacks on a regular basis.

How Much Do Japanese Snack Boxes Cost?

While Japanese snack boxes can range in price from under $13 to over $80 per box, most boxes fall in the $30 to $40 range. Often, you can save money by prepaying for these boxes for certain lengths of time, like every three, six, or 12 months.

What Are Some of the Most Popular Japanese Snacks?

Japanese snacks run the gamut from salty to sweet and from crispy-crunchy to pillowy-soft. Some of the most popular Japanese snacks include senbei, which are rice crackers that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors. Mochi is another Japanese fave, which consists of glutinous rice flour mixed with water, sugar, and other ingredients to form a soft, chewy rice cake that’s often stuffed with tasty fillings like red bean paste, fruit, and even ice cream. Other popular Japanese snacks include taiyaki (spongy fish-shaped cakes filled with sweet ingredients), yōkan (a jellylike confection made from agar), and hard or gummy candies. And like many snacksters all over the world, many people in Japan love munching on chocolate and potato chips when the craving strikes.

9 Best Japanese Snack Boxes of 2023

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Taiyaki/Japanese Fish Shaped Pancake — Photo:
Irina Marwan / Getty Images

From the glittering city lights of Tokyo to the breathtaking temples of Kyoto, Japan has long fascinated travelers from all over the world. But sightseeing aside, perhaps one of the best things about Japan (in our opinion, anyway) is the food — particularly the snacks. And if you’re unable to snag a plane ticket to experience these delights in the country itself, a Japanese snack box is the next best thing.

The best Japanese snack boxes feature an array of craveable sweet and savory treats nestled in a chic, compact box delivered right to your doorstep. Some of the boxes even include extra items like utensils, trinkets, and comics alongside the tasty snacks. And most of the time, you can sign up for a subscription to receive these boxes on a regular basis. Read on to find our top picks for Japanese snack boxes across multiple categories.

Best Japanese Snack Boxes of 2023

Best All-Around: Bokksu
Best Variety: TokyoTreat
Best Value: MunchPak
Best for Ramen: Japan Crate
Best for Tea: Sakuraco
Best for Savory Snacks: ZenPop
Best for Sweets: Japan Candy Box
Best for Pantry Staples: Umamicart
Best Gourmet: Patisserie Tomoko

Best All-Around: Bokksu

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Key Specs

Starting Price: $40 per month
Delivery Area: 50 states (plus 70 other countries)
Frequency: Monthly

Why You Should Try It

One of the biggest names in Japanese snack box delivery, Bokksu offers a thoughtfully curated monthly box filled with snacks from family-owned businesses all across Japan.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Highlights small businesses
Features snacks that are hard to find in the U.S.
Free shipping

Cons

Month-to-month boxes can get a little pricey

Overview

In 2016, Bokksu burst onto the Japanese snack box scene after founder Danny Taing returned to the U.S. from a four-year stint living in Tokyo. Enamored with the local snacks he enjoyed while living there, he decided to turn his love for Japanese treats into a subscription box for people all over the world to experience. In every box, you’ll find an assortment of gourmet Japanese treats, from handmade candies to savory teas to baked goods to filled mochi. Best of all, these snacks are sourced from family-owned businesses and producers all over Japan.

When signing up for Bokksu, you can opt for one of four different payment plans: monthly, every three months, every six months, or annually. If you opt for the latter three plans, you’ll pay for all boxes within that time frame as a lump sum. (So, for example, if you pick the three-month payment plan, you’ll pay for all three of the monthly boxes at one time.) Month-to-month boxes are $50 each, but if you choose the annual plan, the price per box drops to $40. Once your monthly box is released, you can view its contents on the Bokksu website to get more info about what you’ll be tasting.

Best Variety: TokyoTreat

Tokyo Treat

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Key Specs

Starting Price: $32.50 per month
Delivery Area: 50 states (and worldwide)
Frequency: Monthly

Why You Should Try It

Billed as “the biggest Japanese snack box on the planet,” Tokyo Treat sends you 15 to 20 full-sized snacks in each monthly delivery.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Up to 20 snacks in each box
Affordable price point
Available for delivery worldwide

Cons

Shipping costs extra

Overview

If variety is the spice of your life, give TokyoTreat a try. With anywhere from 15 to 20 full-sized snacks in every box, you can munch on everything from savory chips to cookies and cakes to seasonally flavored Kit Kats. And to wash it all down, each box will include a drink, such as Ramune, Fanta, or milk tea. Each box fits a specific theme, often centered around a holiday like Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Halloween, or the New Year. You can even take a look at past boxes to get an idea of what to expect in your upcoming deliveries.

To order a box, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription. While all boxes are delivered on a monthly basis, you can choose from four different payment plans: monthly, every three months, every six months, and annually. If you pay month to month, each box will ring up at $37.50, but if you opt for the annual payment plan, you’ll save $5 per box (bringing the total to $32.50 each).

Best Value: MunchPak

MunchPak

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Key Specs

Starting Price: $13 per delivery
Delivery Area: 50 states (as well as six other countries)
Frequency: Monthly

Why You Should Try It

Looking for tasty international snacks at a wallet-friendly price point? MunchPak is the go-to.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Boxes start as low as $13 each
You can order anywhere from five to 20 snacks per box
Free delivery in the U.S.

Cons

Not exclusively Japanese (snacks from other countries also featured)

Overview

MunchPak is your ticket to exploring snacks and flavors from all over the world. While the boxes don’t exclusively include Japanese snacks, many boxes feature Japanese treats in the mix alongside snacks from other countries, from Spain to Israel to South Korea. And with boxes as low as $13 each, it’s like taking a mini-trip around the globe — plane tickets not required.

Similar to other snack subscriptions, MunchPak allows you to choose to pay for your boxes either monthly, quarterly, every six months, or annually. But MunchPak stands out from the, well, “pack” by letting you choose what size box you’d like to receive — five snacks, 10 snacks, or 20 snacks. The bigger the box the higher the price, but if you choose the three-, six-, or 12-month payment plans, it’ll shave a few dollars off the cost per box.

Best for Ramen: Japan Crate

Japan Crate

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Key Specs

Starting Price: $46 per box
Delivery Area: 50 states (and worldwide)
Frequency: Monthly

Why You Should Try It

Attention, ramen fanatics: Japan Crate’s “Umai” subscription box will give you some of the best instant ramen Japan has to offer.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Eight to 10 instant noodle packets in each box
Bonus items included
Free shipping in the United States

Cons

A little pricier than some other boxes

Overview

While nothing beats a piping hot bowl of noodles in the cozy comfort of a local ramen-ya, the next best thing may be this ramen subscription box from Japan Crate. The company’s “Umai Crate” box features some of “Japan’s best instant noodles,” plus extras including a recipe card, an instruction booklet, and a bonus item like a set of chopsticks. And these aren’t your run-of-the-mill ramen packets like the ones you’d find in any American grocery store — rather, the Umai Crate features premium noodles that are exclusive to Japan. In addition to ramen, you’ll also find other types of noodles, such as udon or yakisoba, in your monthly box.

When signing up for the Umai Crate, you’ll select your payment frequency (either monthly, quarterly, biannually, or annually) and how many boxes you want. You can also choose to start a subscription for yourself or gift one to someone else. You can even take a sneak peek at what’s inside the box for the month to get an idea of what you’ll receive.

Best for Tea: Sakuraco

Sakuraco

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $32.50 per month
Delivery Area: 50 states (and worldwide)
Frequency: Monthly

Why You Should Try It

Sakuraco offers a truly enchanting box filled with elegant treats, including Japanese tea and pairings like cakes, mochi, and rice crackers.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Highlights local Japanese snack makers
Tea included in every box
Beautiful box design

Cons

Shipping costs extra

Overview

A sister brand to TokyoTreat, Sakuraco gives its subscribers a chance to experience the tradition of Japanese afternoon tea. Each box contains a specific type of Japanese tea, like matcha or hojicha, along with sophisticated snack pairings like cream cakes, senbei (rice crackers), and yōkan (Japanese agar jelly sweets). You’ll also receive a home goods item in your box, such as a set of chopsticks or a ceramic serving dish, so you can continue to enjoy your box long after you finish the snacks.

Like many other snack subscription boxes, you can choose to pay for your boxes monthly, every three months, every six months, or annually. If you choose to pay on a monthly basis, each box comes out to $37.50, but if you choose to pay in an annual lump sum, the per-box cost drops to $32.50.

Best for Savory Snacks: ZenPop

Zenpop

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $34.50 per month
Delivery Area: 50 states (as well as 66 other countries)
Frequency: Monthly

Why You Should Try It

ZenPop’s monthly snack boxes send you savory faves like chips, crackers, and even ramen (with some sweets included to round it all out).

Pros and Cons

Pros

12 or more snacks in each box
Subscriptions also available for ramen, anime, and stationery
Free shipping in the United States

Cons

Not exclusively savory snacks (some sweets included)
Shipping fees can get steep for some countries

Overview

Got a case of the munchies? ZenPop is here to cure them with its monthly snack subscription box. Each month, you’ll be treated to a selection of savory snacks, ranging from potato chips to crab-shaped crackers to crunchy corn puffs. You’ll also get an assortment of sweets, such as fruit-flavored jelly candies and chocolate-filled anpan (sweet rolls), plus a yummy drink to wash it all down. And you’re not just limited to snack boxes with ZenPop — you can also sign up for ramen, stationery, and even anime subscriptions.

ZenPop’s monthly subscription is available with payment frequencies of either monthly, quarterly, biannually, or annually. But if you’d rather not commit to a subscription, no problem — just sign up for the month-to-month plan and turn off the “automatic renewal” option in your user account. You can also send a three-, six-, or 12-month ZenPop subscription to a friend as a gift, so they can enjoy these scrumptious snacks along with you.

Best for Sweets: Japan Candy Box

Japan Candy Box

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $25 per month
Delivery Area: 50 states (and worldwide)
Frequency: Monthly

Why You Should Try It

From exclusive Japanese Kit Kat flavors to limited-edition Pocky sticks, Japan Candy Box has a selection of sweets that’s second to none.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Free shipping
Curated boxes with fun themes
Affordable price point

Cons

Customer service only available through email or messenger (no phone calls)

Overview

Japan Candy Box lets you satisfy your sweet tooth in the most delicious way possible. Each monthly box contains 10 mouthwatering Japanese snacks, including plenty of confections ranging from chocolate bars to fruit gummies to bubble gum. (But don’t worry, your dentist won’t be too mad at you — these boxes also include some savory snacks to balance out the sugariness.) Each box has a specific theme, with previous box themes including Vending Machine Munchies, Japanese Konbini Finds, and Sakura Snack Surprise. You can even take a look at past boxes to get an idea of what’s in store.

To order a box, you’ll sign up for a subscription and choose whether you want to pay every month, every six months, or every 12 months. You’ll also get free shipping no matter where you live — a huge perk of this already fantastic snack box.

Best for Pantry Staples: Umamicart

Umamicart

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $36 per box
Delivery Area: 48 states
Frequency: Monthly

Why You Should Try It

Need to restock your pantry with all your Japanese culinary essentials? Umamicart has you covered.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Free shipping for subscription boxes
Convenient mobile app
Colorful and fun website

Cons

Not exclusively Japanese food

Overview

While Umamicart is primarily an Asian grocery delivery service, it also offers two monthly subscription boxes so you can get an assortment of top-notch foods on a regular basis. Choose from either a “snack box” or a “pantry box,” each of which includes free shipping and a coupon you can use in Umamicart’s online grocery shop. You’ll also receive a booklet with each delivery that gives you more information about each item in your box.

The only catch? It’s not exclusively Japanese food that’s included in these subscription boxes. In fact, each box is dedicated to a different country’s culinary selections. But the good news is that it’s only a matter of time before a Japanese snack or pantry box makes the rounds on Umamicart. And if you’d rather not wait around, you can curate your own DIY box whenever you need it by simply ordering from the vast selection of Japanese products in Umamicart’s online store. (There’s even a mobile app you can use for easier shopping!)

Best Gourmet: Patisserie Tomoko

Patisserie Tomoko

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $90 per box
Delivery Area: 50 states
Frequency: Varies

Why You Should Try It

Renowned Brooklyn pastry chef Tomoko Kato combines the flavors of Japanese cuisine with the techniques of French pastry to create a beautiful box filled with gourmet sweets.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Gourmet desserts from acclaimed pastry chef Tomoko Kato
Five different treats in every box
Free shipping through Goldbelly

Cons

Higher price point
No subscription available

Overview

The “Best of Tomoko Sweets” box from Patisserie Tomoko is the golden ticket to a truly gourmet Japanese snacking experience. After years of working at some of the top restaurants in New York City, pastry chef Tomoko Kato opened her award-winning bakery Patisserie Tomoko in Brooklyn in 2013. There, Kato crafts elegant pastries and sweets that meld the classic flavors of Japan with French-style pastry techniques. And thanks to Goldbelly, you can savor Kato’s unique creations without having to make a trip to the Empire State.

Inside the Patisserie Tomoko box, you’ll find a selection of sweet treats ranging from delicate macarons to green tea cookies to Kato’s iconic mochi dumplings filled with decadent Earl Grey-infused ganache. While the box isn’t available on a subscription basis, you can order several of them at a time — and you can even send them as gifts to your foodie friends. Best of all, shipping is free throughout the United States.

Final Verdict

When it comes to Japanese snack boxes, Bokksu has it all. Its well-curated monthly boxes include a variety of sophisticated snacks from family-owned businesses throughout Japan, and you can even take a sneak peek at the box for the month to see what’s inside. If you’re looking for a box with plenty of variety, TokyoTreat is a wonderful choice. And if you’re interested in experiencing the beautiful tradition of Japanese tea, you can’t go wrong with Sakuraco.

Compare the Best Japanese Snack Boxes

Company	Starting Price	Delivery Area	Frequency	Free Shipping?	Gift Options?
Bokksu Best All-Around	$40 per month	50 states (plus 70 other countries)	Monthly	Yes	Yes
TokyoTreat Best Variety	$32.50 per month	50 states (and worldwide)	Monthly	No	Yes
MunchPak Best Value	$13 per delivery	50 states (as well as six other countries)	Monthly	Yes	Yes
Japan Crate Best for Ramen	$46 per month	50 states (and worldwide)	Monthly	Yes	Yes
Sakuraco Best for Tea	$32.50 per month	50 states (and worldwide)	Monthly	No	Yes
ZenPop Best for Savory Snacks	$34.50 per month	50 states (as well as 66 other countries)	Monthly	Yes	Yes
Japan Candy Box Best for Sweets	$25 per month	50 states (and worldwide)	Monthly	Yes	Yes
Umamicart Best for Pantry Staples	$36 per box	48 states	Monthly	Yes, on orders over $79	Yes
Patisserie Tomoko Best Gourmet	$90 per box	50 states	Varies	Yes	Yes

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Japanese Snack Box?

As the name might indicate, a Japanese snack box is just that — a box filled with tasty snacks that are imported from Japan. Some boxes offer familiar favorites that you might find at your local Asian grocery store, such as Pocky and flavored Kit Kat bars, while others specialize in exclusive, locally made treats found only in Japan. Many Japanese snack boxes are available as a subscription, so you can enjoy these tasty snacks on a regular basis.
How Much Do Japanese Snack Boxes Cost?

While Japanese snack boxes can range in price from under $13 to over $80 per box, most boxes fall in the $30 to $40 range. Often, you can save money by prepaying for these boxes for certain lengths of time, like every three, six, or 12 months.
What Are Some of the Most Popular Japanese Snacks?

Japanese snacks run the gamut from salty to sweet and from crispy-crunchy to pillowy-soft. Some of the most popular Japanese snacks include senbei, which are rice crackers that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors. Mochi is another Japanese fave, which consists of glutinous rice flour mixed with water, sugar, and other ingredients to form a soft, chewy rice cake that’s often stuffed with tasty fillings like red bean paste, fruit, and even ice cream. Other popular Japanese snacks include taiyaki (spongy fish-shaped cakes filled with sweet ingredients), yōkan (a jellylike confection made from agar), and hard or gummy candies. And like many snacksters all over the world, many people in Japan love munching on chocolate and potato chips when the craving strikes.

Methodology

We scoured the Japanese snack box market for the best ones out there, and we chose our favorites based on various criteria. This includes pricing, shipping costs, variety of offerings, subscription flexibility, payment options, and, of course, the quality of the snacks. We also took note of any unique qualities these boxes have, from special monthly themes to bonus items that come along with the snacks.

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