This month, we’ve included a Japanese snack that revives the flavors of Japan’s four seasons, gracefully setting the stage for the transition into autumn. Discover which one you received below.
Lemon Vinegar Arare
Morihaku Confectionery (Gifu)
This refreshing Lemon Vinegar Arare is crafted with 100% domestic glutinous rice. Infused with the refreshing, tangy aroma of Setouchi lemons and the zesty sourness of vinegar, this traditional Japanese snack delivers a delightful combination of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.
Common Allergens: Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Shrimp, Crab, Wheat, Egg, Dairy, Peanuts, Almond, Squid, Beef, Sesame, Salmon, Mackerel, Chicken, Pork, Apple, Gelatin
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Melon Gaufrette
Itokawaya (Mie)
These crispy, thin gaufrette wafers are carefully filled with a luscious melon cream, delivering a gentle burst of sweet and refreshing flavor.
Common Allergens: Wheat, Egg, Dairy, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Peanuts, Buckwheat, Shrimp, Crab, Sesame
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Hana Moyou
Sakura Confectionery (Niigata)
This sachet of diverse flavors contains seven distinct rice crackers, each leaving a lasting impression on the palate. Featuring a well-balanced mix of savory and sweet tastes, it’s the perfect snack for any occasion.
Common Allergens: Soy, Wheat, Shrimp, Mackerel, Dairy
May Contain Traces Of: Egg, Squid, Sesame
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Setouchi Lemon Squid Tempura
Maruka Foods (Hiroshima)
Setouchi, located in the Seto Inland Sea area, is a region known for its mild climate, clean water, and fertile soil, which makes it an ideal place for growing citrus fruits like lemons. This treat has a refreshing acidity and flavor from Setouchi lemons that perfectly complements the squid tempura, resulting in a delicious and fresh culinary experience.
Common Allergens: Wheat, Egg, Squid, Soy, Sesame
May Contain Traces Of: Dairy, Shrimp, Crab
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Thousand Samurai Procession Manju
Fukado (Tochigi)
Delve into the velvety embrace of milky white bean paste nestled within a tender dough. Adorned with its namesake on the packaging, this very treat is sold as a souvenir gift at Toshogu Shrine.
Common Allergens: Egg, Wheat, Dairy
May Contain Traces Of: N/A
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Salt & Pepper Yuba Chips
Nikko Foods (Tochigi)
Yuba is made from the thin film that forms on the surface of heated soy milk. This thin film is carefully harvested and dried, resulting in thin sheets of yuba. Nikko is known for this velvety smooth delicacy. Crafted from 100% domestically grown soybeans, these chips boast a rich flavor mixed with the familiar tastes of salt and pepper.
Common Allergens: Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Shrimp, Crab
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Nikko Rusk
Nisshodo (Tochigi)
With its crispy and light texture, this sweet rusk is carefully baked by the makers at Nisshodo with milk from Tochigi. Embodying attention to detail and dedication to excellence, it perfectly represents Nikko’s cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Common Allergens: Dairy, Wheat, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Egg, Peanuts
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Sesame Tetra
Uchiyama Tosaburo Shoten (Niigata)
Witness Uchiyama Tosaburo’s meticulous artistry as a single sesame seed is delicately coated with batter and adorned with an outer layer of sesame seeds. Their satisfying crunch is followed by the rich nuttiness of sesame flavor that lingers on the palate.
Common Allergens: Sesame, Wheat
May Contain Traces Of: Peanuts, Dairy, Egg, Shrimp, Crab
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Hinohikari Senbei
Ishidaya (Tochigi)
Ishidaya’s time-honored dough recipe for this crunchy senbei has been passed down for generations. Shaped like the sun, the soy sauce-based sauce embodies simplicity and depth.
Common Allergens: Wheat, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Dairy, Shrimp, Crab, Beef, Pork, Chicken, Gelatin, Sesame
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Skyberry Waffle Cookie
Yachiyodo (Tochigi)
Skyberry strawberries from Tochigi are known across Japan for their exceptional quality and exquisite flavor. The strawberries impart a delightful scent and essence when used in this crispy cookie, adding a touch of fruity bliss to the thin and crispy baked cookie.
Common Allergens: Egg, Dairy, Wheat, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Peanuts
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Chigiri Kusamochi
Seiki (Ehime)
Kusamochi, a traditional Japanese sweet with roots tracing back to ancient Japan, is a traditional treat that captures the essence of yomogi, Japanese mugwort. These bite-sized mochi pieces unveil a harmony of flavors, as their velvety coating of black sesame kinako imparts a deep and aromatic taste.
Common Allergens: Dairy, Soy, Sesame
May Contain Traces Of: Wheat
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Soy Sauce Okogemeshi
Fujiya (Osaka)
Traditionally, rice was cooked in heavy iron pots called kama or kettles over an open flame. As the rice simmered, the water would evaporate, and the bottom layer of rice would toast and develop a deliciously crispy and fragrant texture. This layer, called okoge, turned into a deliciously crunchy treat. This senbei captures the essence of okoge with a flavor profile reminiscent of the special culinary treat.
Common Allergens: Wheat, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Dairy, Shrimp, Pork, Chicken, Mackeral, Sesame
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Ajiko Mochi Rice Crackers
Realize Planning (Gifu)
In Japanese cuisine, “mochi” refers to a soft, chewy rice cake made from glutinous rice. However, in the context of these crackers, “mochi” refers to the slightly chewy texture that lays underneath its crispy, crunchy surface. This snack features two unique tastes: a savory soy sauce and a refreshing salad flavor.
Common Allergens: Soy, *Wheat
May Contain Traces Of: Egg, Dairy, Wheat, Peanuts, Shrimp, Squid, Sesame, Chicken, Pig
Vegetarian Friendly: No
*Only in the Soy sauce flavor
Sakura Bekko Ame
Yashu Takamura (Tochigi)
Since their inception half a century ago, artisans at Yashu Takamura in Tochigi prefecture have intricately crafted their sweet bekko ame confectionery. Here, they have infused this classic Japanese treat with domestically grown cherry blossom leaves that give a subtle cherry blossom aroma.
Sakura Konpeito
Matsumoto Confectionery (Osaka)
The pink hue of these konpeito is inspired by the delicate petals of the sakura flower. The crisp, crunchy texture and gentle sweetness of each piece make for the perfect treat to enjoy during a picnic.
Common Allergens: N/A
May Contain Traces Of: Wheat, Egg, Dairy, Peanuts, Shrimp
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Genji Pie
Sanritsu Confectionery (Shizuoka)
Baked to perfection with a glossy sugar finish, these classic biscuits feature a light crispiness that compliments their deliciously sweet taste. As indicated by the shape, these biscuits are sure to be as heartwarming as the sun shining on a warm spring day.
Common Allergens: Wheat
May Contain Traces Of: N/A
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Strawberry Mugi
Takaoka Foods (Hyogo)
Since the 1960s, children with insatiable sweet tooths have flocked to candy shops across Japan in hopes of getting candy-coated mugi, or barley. Here, mugi is covered in a perfectly sugared strawberry flavoring.
Common Allergens: Dairy, Wheat, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Peanuts, Almonds, Cashews
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Chocolate Strawberries
Takaoka Food Industries (Hyogo)
A quintessential combination loved by those around the world on Valentine’s day. These bite-sized morsels of strawberry perfection are wrapped in a milk chocolate outer layer.
Common Allergens: Dairy, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Peanuts, Almonds, Cashew
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
True Heart Chocolate
Chirin Confectionery (Osaka)
The crisp, colorful coating on these bite-sized morsels protects the melt-in-your-mouth chocolate hidden within. Each package of chocolate contains words of gratitude commonly expressed during the start of a new year.
Common Allergens: Milk, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: N/A
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Beni Imo Donut Bou
Fujibambi (Kumamoto)
Cultivated in the fields of Okinawa, beni imo purple sweet potatoes are known for their captivating hue and delicate sweetness. Each of these Donut Bous embrace the essence of Okinawa’s traditional culinary heritage.
Common Allergens: Wheat, Egg
May Contain Traces Of: Dairy, Apple, Banana, Orange, Soy
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Persimmon Jelly
Morihaku Confectionery (Gifu)
With a history dating back more than 2,000 years in Asia, persimmon is one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world. It is pureed and incorporated into this beautifully wrapped, perfectly sweet jelly.
Common Allergens: N/A
May Contain Traces Of: Wheat, Dairy, Egg, Orange, Apple, Peach, Soy, Sesame, Almond, Gelatin
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Seven Flavor Senbei
Ishidaya (Tochigi)
Delight in the colorful shapes of Seven Flavor Senbei, a stunning array of bite-sized rice crackers with seven distinct flavors. From the smoothness of salted butter to the whimsy of colorful sugar and shrimp senbei, each piece offers a unique taste and texture.
Common Allergens: Dairy, Wheat, Shimp, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Crab, Beef, Pork, Chicken, Gelatin, Sesame
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Uchiwa Festival Cookie
Seki Confectionery (Kyoto)
Traditional Japanese summer festivals inspire the whimsical spirit of this crisp cookie. Shaped like a traditional Japanese uchiwa fan, this cookie is adorned with a playful firework and crab design made with honey. Wonderfully paired with tea.
Common Allergens: Egg, Wheat
May Contain Traces Of: Dairy, Buckwheat, Peanuts
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Summer Senbei
Sanshu Confectionery (Saitama)
This crunchy rice cracker has been bathed in a blend of honey and soy sauce, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that dance across your palate. Encased in vibrant summer packaging, each bite transports you to a sun-kissed paradise.
Common Allergens: Wheat, Mackerel, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Egg, Dairy, Shrimp
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Okinawan Chili Oil Arare
Morihaku Confectionery (Gifu)
With these savory arare crackers, Morihaku Confectionery crafts the perfect blend of heat and crunch. A dusting of Okinawan chili oil coats each piece to deliver a burst of spicy flavor that will ignite your palate.
Common Allergens: Wheat, Dairy, Sesame, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Shrimp, Crab, Egg, Peanuts, Almond, Squid, Beef, Salmon, Mackerel, Chicken, Pork, Apple, Gelatin
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Pickled Daikon Okaki
Sanshin (Chiba)
These rice crackers capture the smoky essence of iburi gakko, a pickled radish renowned in Japan for its unique flavor. Through a smoke drying method, raw radishes are hung from the ceiling in hearths and dried day through night while oak and cherry wood is burned. The dried radish are then carefully fermented and aged in barrels with rice bran, salt, and pomelo, yielding a captivating flavor that develops over two months.
Common Allergens: Egg, Dairy, Wheat, Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Peanut, Shrimp, Crab, Almond, Squid, Orange, Beef, Pork, Chicken, Mackerel, Walnut, Apple, Gelatin, Banana, Sesame, Cashew nut
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Okinawan Salt Senbei
Matsuoka Confectionery (Osaka)
These light and refreshing crackers are a timeless delicacy crafted with a traditional recipe. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch with a subtle hint of the finest Okinawan sea salt, transporting your taste buds to the scenic shores of Okinawa.
Common Allergens: Wheat
May Contain Traces Of: Soy
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Kakimochi Senbei
Maruyone Confectionery (Toyama)
This rice cracker is derived from whole grains of domestic mochi and carefully kneaded with black tanba beans and white beans. It is modestly seasoned with vegetable oil and hakata salt from Ehime prefecture.
Common Allergies: Soy
May Contain Traces Of: Wheat, Shrimp, Dairy
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
