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Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015

Lindsey Morse
ByLindsey MorseAug 19, 2015 | 7 comments

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Box

Japan Crate
4.7 overall rating
224 Ratings | 204 Reviews

Japan Crate is a monthly subscription that sends full-sized, Japanese candy and DIY food kits straight from Tokyo.

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Inside

Japan Crate sent us this Premium Crate for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Contents

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 Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Booklet

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - ItemList

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.

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Sugoi

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.

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - BBQ

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?)

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Soda

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.

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - ShuwaShuwa

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.

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Mario

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.

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Pokeman

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:

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Puzzle

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - CrayonShin

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.

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Bottom

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.

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - Pretz

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.

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - DIY

Chocoroom DIY

According to Japan Crate, Chocorooms are a popular Japanese treat. This kit allows you to make them yourself at home!

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - DIY2

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.

Japan Crate Subscription Box Review – August 2015 - DIY3

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?

Starting at $39.99
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Japan Crate is a monthly candy and snack subscription box! The company’s HQ is based in Tokyo, where they handpick unique candy, snacks, drinks, DIY kits, and more. Each box contains between 5-20 full-size candies and snacks that are difficult or impossible to find outside of Japan for as low as ... read more.

Lindsey Morse
Lindsey Morse

Lindsey is a professional baker, cold brew coffee addict, and rosé aficionado who loves writing about food and wine. When she’s not sharing her love of subscription boxes with the world, you’ll find her in the podcasting studio, perfecting her cake decorating techniques, or cursing her way through the New York Times daily crossword puzzle. 


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7 comments

Randi

The Shin-Can box cracked me up too! So funny.

And I love reading all of your food reviews Lindsey! It really inspires me to try to cook. I’m thinking about ordering a food box soon bc of you 🙂
Your reviews are great!

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Nicole

“Luckily, anyone can appreciate the delightfully strange dancing tribal banana mascot.”

Between that and the Shin-Chan mooning box, you just made my day!

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Lindsey

Thanks, Nicole! 🙂

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Laura

They’re offering 10% off the Premium box with an new email sign up to their newsletter.
Since I was there to purchase a Premium box subscription, it came in handy.

Thought I’d pass this along. No date for expiration was given.

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Jakki

Melon soda is the thing I miss most from when I studied in Japan. Seeing it in this box makes me really want to sign up. Though I usually got the Melon Fanta. It is so yummy!

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Jen

This looks like so much fun. I’ve definitely got this sub on my wishlist to try out, but I’m thinking I’ll hang onto Universal Yums for a few more months before switching (or just hanging it up and getting both). That banana candy sounds yummy. I had a chocolate-filled “hot chocolate” marshmallow snack from one of my orders of snacks from Japan, and it was my favorite thing in there. Love the DIY kits, too. I’ve recently ordered a package of 9 of them from Amazon as stocking stuffers. My daughter LOVES them.

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Alicia

Japan Crate is my favorite sub, and this particular box was the best yet for me! I got the Tom Yum Pretz (sooooo good), and the Apollo Candy DIY kit. My favorite treat this month was the melon cream soda – I wish I could buy more! I was expecting it to be a sugar bomb, but I found it wonderfully light and refreshing. I was also surprised at how much I liked the Wow, Such Banana?! as I don’t usually care for banana candy.

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