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 Crate contains 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.
Glug Glug Want Chocolate
Glug Glug Want Chocolate? What a cute name! This candy is a form of taiyaki, a traditional snack that consists of waffle-like batter that’s stuffed with a flavored filling. The crunchy outer shell on this taiyaki is shaped like a fish and filled with airy chocolate.
Lemon Squash
According to the Japan Crate booklet, Lemon Squash is the name for Lemonade in Japan. The outer packaging contains a plastic squeeze bottle that’s filled with the drink. Personally, I wasn’t a huge fan. I like my lemonade strong and tart, and the Lemon Squash was a little watery for my liking. Still, I can see how the muted flavor would appeal to kids.
If I’d discovered Kawarinbo as a child, I think it would have been my favorite candy. The large lollipop has two sides with different flavors (apple and grape), and inside the lollipop is a ramune-flavored disc. When you’re finished eating the lollipop, the stick unwraps to reveal a stick of gum. This is definitely a treat that keeps on giving!
Sweet Corn Pretz (1.09 oz.)
These buttery biscuit sticks are flavored with sweet corn and taste remarkably like the real thing! I really like them- so much that I’m considering buying more.
Calbee Potato Chips Seaweed & Salt (60 g.)
Japan Crate almost always impresses me with the savory snacks they include in their boxes, and these chips were no exception! I’m always a tiny bit hesitant when it comes to unfamiliar flavors (especially when the flavors are ocean-related), but I really liked the mild seaweed flavor on these chips.
Full Gurt
This bag of Full Gurt contains individually wrapped candies in two flavors: blueberry yogurt and mango yogurt. They look like hard candies, but they’re crunchy and break down really easily when you chew them. The texture is unlike any candy I’ve had before, and I really like both of the flavors.
Konpeito is a classic Japanese candy that’s been around since the 16th century. The crunchy, sugary balls remind me a little bit of rock candy. Despite the variety of colors, all of the pellets are made from unflavored sugar syrup.
Typically, I love the gummies that Japan Crate sends, but, sadly, I’m not a fan of these soft candies. They’re made with coconut water and have a mild grape flavor. I like the sound of them and was excited to give them a try, but something about the combination of flavors just doesn’t work for me.
I really like that Japan Crate includes a drink in every premium crate. I think it’s so much fun to try a different Japanese beverage every month. (Two, this month!) Lychee Ramune is refreshing and fruity with a slightly perfumed flavor. It’s delicious!
Gudetama Gashapon (BONUS)
Gudetama Gashapon is Japanese character developed by Sanrio, the same company behind Hello Kitty. He’s a lazy egg, and I love the way he’s depicted on this key ring.
Moko Moko Toilet 3 DIY- $5.60
Japan Crate includes a DIY kit in every premium crate, and I always have a blast putting them together. This month’s DIY kit includes all of the pieces you need to construct a small toilet-candy dispenser. (Now, I’ve seen everything!)
With help from the instructions provided in the Japan Crate booklet, I began by putting my toilet together and decorating it with the provided stickers. Each kit contains a toilet from 1 of 4 countries, France, the US, Japan, or China. My kit contained a French toilet- ooh la la!
When the toilet was assembled, I poured powdered candy into the back of the toilet, shook it, and added water. It foamed up and started to overflow.
I’m not quite sure what to say about this DIY kit. I mean, it’s a toilet. That you eat out of... Despite my mix of fascination and revulsion, though, I can absolutely see how kids (young boys, in particular) could become obsessed with this. I think my brother, when he was younger, would have thought this was really cool.
Verdict: I really like Japan Crate! 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?
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