Japan Crate is a monthly subscription box service that sends candy and snacks straight from Japan. The box aims to “recreate the excitement of exploring Japan through fun candy and everything kawaii."
There are 3 crate sizes to choose from: Mini ($12/month), Original ($25/month), and Premium ($30/month).
This review is for the Premium, $30 a month, 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 a month for the Mini crate, $25 a month for the Original crate, $30 a month for the Premium crate. Free shipping to the U.S. Save with 3, 6, and 12-month subscriptions
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 provides details around the snacks included in each box. There are also some pages devoted to Japanese culture and fun facts.
Hot Cheese Doritos
I love traditional Doritos, so I was looking forward to trying a unique flavor that's not normally available to me. 'Hot Cheese' did not disappoint. The cheese coating was strong, and it was also way spicier than I was expecting... in a great way!
Ice Cocoa
Definitely allow this canned drink to sit in your fridge for a couple hours before trying. It tastes just like a chocolatey latte, but maybe a bit more watered down.
Gudetama Pudding 2
This is a DIY pudding kit. Cool! The directions on the packaging are in Japanese, though, so it's tough to understand the correct measurements unless you're fluent! I tried looking up directions online, but that wasn't a huge help either. Needless to say, my guesswork didn't do the final product any favors.
Mike Popcorn Setouchi Lemon Flavor
I was most drawn to this popcorn out of all of July's Japan Crate contents. Lemon flavor? Huh? After I tried it, it totally made sense though. I guess I was expecting something slightly sweet, but this snack was definitely savory. The flavoring reminded me of the 'hint of lime' tortilla chips you can find everywhere now. I ate the whole (generous) bag in one sitting!
Dynamite Melon Soda Jelly
After receiving several Japanese-themed snack boxes at this point, I have one major and important takeaway: Japanese candy is all about the melons. While melon isn't my favorite flavor, it is refreshing for summer. This candy wasn't really my thing, though. The consistency is straight up jelly, and it sort of acts as a dessert and drink in one.
Umaibo: Natto
These savory little puffs are super light, crispy, and umami in taste! The natto (fermented soybean) flavor is almost cheese-like.
Ramune Soda Candy
Apparently, Ramune is a popular Japanese soda, and these candies take on its flavor. I didn't really detect a specific flavor aside from sweet, sour, and a little citrusy. They're like Smarties but a little more melt-in-your-mouth!
A Star Country Was Found.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate the adorable name of these rock candies? You don't receive much in this packet, but it's just so pretty. The name refers to the star shape of each piece of rock candy (a classic that has remained popular throughout the years, especially during the summer's Star Festival).
Cream Rusk
This snack tasted just like a very airy shortbread cookie! It's supposed to mimic the flavor and look of rusk: a crispy slice of bread served with butter and sugar available in Japanese bakeries.
Little Bear Gummy
Ah, a candy I'm all too familiar with. These gummy bears are just the right amount of chewy and sweet. So good!
Fit's Gum: Lemon
I love citrus, so the idea of lemon gum really appealed to me! This sweet and tart gum is pretty long-lasting and perfect for the summer months.
Pokemon Gum: Green Apple
This gum is way tangier than the lemon variation received, but it's also very good. I wasn't sure if this was two servings or one (there's a divot in the center and the piece is quite large overall), so I just pulled it in half and saved one side for later.
Long Sour Gummy Cola
The first of two cola candies in our July Japan Crate, this sour strip has sort of a spiced taste to it. The inside of the gummy is very jelly-like and soft. This would be great for kids -- it's kinda fun to feed the strip through the package and definitely gives you a sense of nostalgia.
Mentos Fresh Coke
I didn't think I'd like these coke-flavored Mentos as much as I did! They taste just like a can of soda, but you get the really satisfying texture of a Mentos too. Win-win!
Bonus! Fancy Donuts Toy
I almost made the mistake of trying to eat this before reading over the information booklet. Ha! NOT edible. Not sure what there is to do with this toy aside from admiring how cute it is, but that's somethin'!
Verdict: I really enjoyed this month's Japan Crate! The packaging of all of these fun treats is probably my favorite part. It's just so cool to explore new versions of old favorites and try unfamiliar flavors. There were 14 snacks in my box, plus a bonus toy, so the value per item in this month’s shipment is $2. Totally worth it if you're interested in Japanese snacks and culture!
What did you think about the products in this month's Japan Crate?
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