Japan Crate is a monthly subscription that sends full-sized, Japanese candy and DIY food kits straight from Tokyo.
Japan Crate sent us this Premium Crate for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Japan Crate
The Cost: $12 per month for the mini crate (4-6 candies); $25 per month for the original crate (8-12 candies and DIY Kits); $30 per month for the premium crate (10-14 candies and DIY Kits).
The Products: Full-sized Japanese candy and DIY food kits.
Ships to: Worldwide. (US shipping is free. Shipping elsewhere is $10.)
Japan Crates contain a booklet that lists the items in the box. The booklet also provides instructions for the DIY kit and spotlights certain items in the box. It reads back to front and right to left like manga.
It also reveals the month’s “Sugoi Crate,” a large box full of giant Japanese candy and electronics that one lucky subscriber receives instead of their usual crate. Sugoi Crates are valued at over $500, and subscribers are automatically entered to win.
Japanese BBQ Scones
I think of BBQ chips as being quintessentially American, so I’m surprised to see these included in my crate. Clearly, we aren’t the only country that appreciates the smoky, tangy flavor of BBQ in crunchy snack form! The shape and texture of these puffs is similar to Cheetos, and the BBQ flavor is delicious. (Maybe a little sweeter and a touch less smoky than our American version?)
Wow, Such Banana?!
First of all, I love the odd name of this marshmallow banana snack, but I think that something might be getting lost in translation. Luckily, anyone can appreciate the delightfully strange dancing tribal banana mascot. The snack itself consists of a chocolate-filled, banana-flavored marshmallow covered in a soft candy coating. I like banana candy, and I think this is an unusual and tasty treat.
Creamy Melon Soda
I don’t think I’ve ever had melon soda before, so I’m pleased to be able to try it. Artificial melon flavor reminds me of candy, which makes this soda seem especially indulgent.
Soda Mixing Jelly Beans
I’ve received a couple of similar items to this in previous boxes from Japan Crate, and I really like the mix & match concept. These jelly beans come in five different soda flavors, and there are instructions on the back of the package that allow you to create new flavors by eating different combinations of beans.
Shuwa Shuwa Soda Candy
This is my favorite candy discovery in this month’s crate! The individually wrapped hard candies come in three soda flavors: cola, grape, and orange. The centers contain fizzy powder, which makes them really fun to eat. The cola flavor is my favorite.
Mario Kart Gum
My brother and I used to play SNES Mario Kart constantly when we were kids, so this gum brings back fond memories for me. The gum itself is sweet and a little citrusy.
Puzzle & Dragons x Bikkuriman Wafer
This packet contains a collectible playing card and a chocolate wafer cookie.
Pokemon Puzzle Game
I missed getting sucked into the Pokemon craze (I think I was just a few years too old when it became a cultural phenomenon in the US), but I’m still charmed by all of the characters. This packet contains a sticker puzzle and a piece of chewing gum.
Here’s a snap of the sticker puzzle:
Crayon Shin-Chan Candy
Shin-Chan is a popular cartoon star of anime and manga. The series “Crayon Shin-Chan” follows him as “he makes funny mistakes and gets into trouble.” The ramune-flavored hard candies in the box are good, but I think this treat is mostly about the packaging.
Crackling Cotton
This innovative treat combines cotton candy and pop rocks for a sweet, crackling candy that’s unlike anything I’ve ever had before! The grape flavor is really tasty, and I think the popping sensation makes this a joy to eat.
Soy Sauce Pretz
Soy Sauce Pretz are crisp pretzel sticks that are coated with a soy sauce glaze. I wasn’t all that excited about this particular snack, but it turns out that it’s one of my favorites in the box! I love the salty soy flavor of the glaze and the subtle sweetness of the sticks themselves. The combination of salty and sweet makes it hard for me to put these down!
Chocolate Pucca
Chocoalte Pucca is another pretzel-based snack that consists of rich, chocolaty filling encased in thin pretzel shells. They’re delicious and a really interesting take on chocolate covered pretzels.
Chocoroom DIY
According to Japan Crate, Chocorooms are a popular Japanese treat. This kit allows you to make them yourself at home!
I began by unpacking the kit. I then soaked the tubes of chocolate in warm water until they melted and then layered them into the molds. I topped each candy with a biscuit stick and popped them in the freezer to set.
I think they turned out really well!
Verdict: Japan Crate is so much fun! I really enjoy trying different kinds of Japanese snacks and always have a great time constructing the DIY kits. It’s always tricky to do a price breakdown for this box, but the value is definitely there for me. I’m always impressed by how many treats Japan Crate is able to pack into their premium crates! If you’re looking for a box full of fun and unusual Japanese candy, I can definitely recommend Japan Crate!
What do you think about this month’s Japan Crate? Did you have fun making your own Chocorooms?
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