Matcha TeaĪs far as traditional Japanese goodies go, matcha ranks at the top of the list. Look for Nagoya Kinsyachi in Nagoya and Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory langue de chat from Tokyo for authentic styles of this delicious cookie. Langue de chat cookies in general are a great gift for friends back home. As one of the island’s most famous snacks, you’ll be able to find this buttery cookie easily. Shiroi Koibito, a type of langue de chat cookie, is a very popular omiyage to give when visiting Hokkaido, and it’s well-known internationally. Keep your eyes peeled for unique varieties like rainbow, whiskey, corn, sweet butter, and pizza. From the Baton D’or luxury pocky that costs 10 times that of a normal box to adult pocky that’s meant to be enjoyed with wine, there is basically no telling what you’ll find Pocky-wise on your trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. But in Japan, pocky goes far beyond your basic Publix flavors and varieties. You’ve no doubt already tried Glico’s world-famous chocolate-covered biscuit candies known as Pocky, since they’re popular all over the world. Some of the more noteworthy flavors to look for include miso soup, cough drop, edamame, and sake, but if you want to fully understand what the craze is all about, grab classics like red bean ( azuki), matcha, and soy sauce.
Let’s just get this out of the way up front: Do not go to Japan without trying Japanese Kit Kat ! The archipelago is crazy for the Nestlé mainstay, and there are now over 300 flavors on the official list, many of which are seasonal, regional, or limited-edition. Look for individually wrapped, non-fragile, and shelf-stable options to bring back. For these reasons, authentic Japanese candy and sweets make some of the best souvenirs you can find. Indeed, this country is known for its edible excitement, from the novel, experimental, and colorful to the buzzworthy limited edition items that tend to turn into crazes. Bokksu is here to help you step your omiyage game up a few notches on your next trip to Japan.įor the perfect omiyage, look to Japanese boutiques, grocery stores, street markets, and candy shops for “souvenir sweets” ( miyagekashi ) and famous regional specialties ( meibutsu). Traditionally, omiyage is an individually wrapped box of sweets or snacks that symbolizes gratitude, joy, and good intentions. Omiyage is a gift you give after returning from a trip, but it’s not your typical magnet or keychain. The Japanese people are masters of gift-giving, perfecting the culture of omiyage, a word that translates to “souvenir” but means a lot more than that. No trip to Japan is complete without bringing home a carry-on’s worth of authentic souvenirs for yourself and your friends back home.