Japan Crate is a monthly subscription box that sends candy and snacks from Japan. The box aims to "recreate the excitement of exploring Japan through fun candy and everything kawaii," and the assortment is handpicked straight from Japan.
There are 3 crate sizes to choose from: Mini, Original, and Premium.
This review is of the Premium crate.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Japan Crate
The Cost: $12/month for Mini crate, $25/month for Original crate, $30/month for Premium crate. Free shipping to the US.
COUPON: Save $5 off your first Original or Premium box with code MSA5!
The Products: Candy and snacks from Japan!
Ships to: Internationally with exceptions found here.
Check out all of our Japan Crate reviews and the Food Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of all Your Subscriptions: Add Japan Crate to your subscription list or wishlist!
Each box comes with a "manga-zine" that details the included snacks along with information on Japanese food and culture. This month's theme is Japanese Café.
Maruta Mini Bottle
I'm not a fan of this powdery candy. It's too sour for me, and the plastic bottle has a weird sour smell that makes my nose scrunch up.
Sakusaku Panda Anniversary Chocolate Torte Cookies
I love chocolate panda cookies as much as the next person, but sending them in the middle of summer was bound to melt them. These cookies are individually wrapped, which made it even harder to eat, sadly. I loved the crunchy cookie and whipped chocolate combination though!
Closeup of the Sakusaku cookies.
Morokashi Wa Taro Doubanjiang Flavor
I have mixed reactions to this snack. I really like the puffy texture but the salty chili and bean paste flavor isn't my style.
Takaoka Choco Flakes
These are basically chocolate covered cereal flakes! They sound run-of-the-mill but as a breakfast cereal addict I assure you this is super yummy. Why have cereal and milk when you can take these Choco Flakes on the go?
Yaokin Cocobis Biscuits
I love these sweet biscuits! They have a slight coconut and sugar coating and would be delicious with milk or tea.
Animal Kid Biscuits
These taste very much like animal crackers but slightly sweeter and creamier.
Paicro Sugar & Butter Flavor
I am in love with this snack. These are sweet, puffy treats that really taste like mini croissants. They are buttery, sweet, flakey, and cute to boot. This may be the most memorable snack I've ever received from Japan Crate!
Closeup of the Paicro mini croissant cookies.
Milk Flavored Chocolate
This packet holds tiny candy-coated dots that look like Wonka Nerds but taste like white chocolate. I'm a fan of white chocolate so this was really tasty!
White & Cookie Chocolate
This cute chocolate square tastes almost exactly like Hershey's Cookies'n'Creme chocolate.
Maroshuwa Peach Soda
Give me more! I always love Japan Crate's monthly beverage selection, and this peach soda was no different. It tastes sweet and peachy and is perfect for the hot summer days.
Sumiyaki Coffee Candy
Unlike other coffee candies I've had, these have a hearty, bitter coffee flavor underneath the sweetness. It's a yummy combination.
Caramel Gari Gari Twist
This bag contains crunchy caramel-coated biscuits. It's really delicious, if not a bit too sweet!
Puchi Puchi Uranai Candy
These are small candy-coated chocolates. Now that I've opened a handful of Japan Crates I notice some Japanese snacks are portioned and packaged quite differently from American snacks. I mean, if this was sold in the US it would be sold in bags and placed next to the check-out line with the Skittles and M&Ms! Instead I get the honor of peeling the foil back one tiny candy at a time.
Punifuwa Happy Nikukyu Peach Gummies
In my opinion, peach and gummies are a match made in heaven. The gummies are deliciously soft and squishy.
Yokai Watch Jelly Drink DIY Kit
This month's DIY kit features Yokai Watch, a video game from Nintendo that's kind of like Pokemon. The drink is "cola flavored" and is made from powders that change color when mixed. After you chill the beverage it turns gelatinous! But...I enjoyed making the kit more than I did drinking it.
Verdict: I had a blast with this month's Japan Crate! Almost every snack was a hit, and I discovered some really addicting ones like the Paicro mini croissants and the peach soda. There were 15 snacks, so the cost breakdown averages to $2 per snack. I think this is a good value for discovering Japanese snacks that you can't find in the US.
What do you think of Japan Crate?
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