What's In The Box: The Golden Week Snack Trail

Get ready for a flavorful journey with The Golden Week Snack Trail! 

In Japan, Golden Week is a magical week of festivals and holidays that allows families, friends, and travelers to come together to partake in exciting traditions and try out new food. Everyone is invited! But Oishi and his mom, Ama-mama, are especially excited to have you join the ride!

This month’s subscription box is a special treat! Because nobody knows treats better than Ama-Mama. Discover real Japanese candy & Japanese snacks through her expert taste. She’s helped us pack a special snack bento box to start the trip and even planned out multiple stops for the maximum Golden Week experience.

FIRST STOP: TOKYO 

Of course, as with every journey in Japan, we start at the heart of the land of the rising sun, Tokyo. We're giving you six different treats to nibble on while you wait and ride the train headed to the next destination in our Golden Week adventure. 

1. Charapaki Chocolate

~Character Chocolate~

• Flavor profile: Sweet, Multi-Flavored, Chocolate-y
• Regional Specialty: Popular Characters 
• Origin: Tokyo 

Charapaki Chocolate is the ultimate edible puzzle. Not only does this treat showcase multiple layers that you can break apart, but it also has different chocolate flavors like white, strawberry, and milk chocolate. 

This interactive treat also lets you “rescue” a buddy from a beloved character series. Either you’ll find a friend from Pokémon, Super Mario, Chiikawa, or Sanrio sitting in your Japanese chocolate bar!  

2. Umaibo Beef Tongue & Takoyaki Stick Snacks

~Dagashi~

• Flavor profile: Savory, Crunchy, Addictive
• Regional Specialty: Takoyaki & Beef Togue
• Origin: Tokyo 

Umaibo gets its name from the Japanese words “umai,” which means delicious, and “bo,” which means stick! Umaibo is a delicious corn stick that’s crunchy and seriously addictive. 

In the Golden Week Snack Trail, you’re getting 2 sticks of Umaibo, so you’ll have twice the deliciousness. They feature two popular Japanese festival flavors: takoyaki and beef tongue. Each snack stick is savory, salty, and filled with tons of umami. 

3. Sumikko Gurashi Grape Gum - 5 pcs 

~Kawaii sweets~

• Flavor Profile: Sweet, Fruity 
• Regional Specialty: Kawaii characters
• Origin: Tokyo 

Soft and chewy, this set of gum has a fruity grape flavor that spreads throughout your mouth with every single chew. The individually wrapped pieces showcase different prints of the Sumikko Gurashi, the shy guys from San-X. These cuties love hanging out in corners, whether it’s in the house, in the cafe, or on the train! 

4. Puku Puku Tai Pudding Fish Wafer

~Traditional treat~

• Flavor Profile: Sweet, Mellow, Crispy 
• Regional Specialty: Pudding
• Origin: Tokyo

Description:  Puku Puku Tai is inspired by taiyaki, a traditional fish-shaped cake that’s usually filled with sweetened anko or red bean paste. This version of Puku Puku Tai combines two Japanese favorites - taiyaki and mellow pudding. Inside this fish-shaped goodie, you’ll find bubbly air-in chocolate that tastes just like Japan’s all-time favorite dessert, pudding! 

5. Kameda Tsumami Tane

~Seasonal snack~

Flavor Profile: Sweet, Salty, Savory, Crunchy 

Regional Specialty: Tane Rice Crackers

Origin: Tokyo 

You’ll get six 6 unique crunches in this pack of treats. There are matcha crackers with a creamy center. Next up is sakura-flavored salted fried rice cake, which is a popular spring flavor. Then we have brown sugar cinnamon fried rice cake, which is all sweet and crunchy. 

Fried shrimp crackers are a umami-filled savory favorite. Next is salted arare rice crackers, a traditional Japanese treat. Last but not least are the fried peanut crackers, which offer nutty goodness. All these treats are the ultimate combination of Japanese tastes and textures! 

6. Glico Pretz Salty Lemon

~Special edition~

• Flavor Profile: Citrusy, Salty, Savory 
• Regional Specialty: Biscuit sticks 
• Origin: Tokyo 

The savory cousin of Pocky, Pretz biscuit sticks offer Japanese snack lovers crispy perfection with every snappy bite. It’s the perfect snack for Pocky lovers who’re looking for a savory twist to their fave treats. This particular box of Pretz sticks offers a citrusy lemon punch to your snacking experience. It’s salty, savory, with a little zing of lemon! Refreshing!  

SECOND STOP: MIYAGI

Located in the Tohoku region of Japan, Miyagi is a scenic and coastal area known for its breathtaking Matsushima Bay, its samurai history, and its strawberries. It's a great place to travel after wandering the crowded streets of Tokyo! 

7. Fettuccine Premium Migayi Strawberry Gummies

~Regional flavor~

• Flavor Profile: Sweet, Tart, Chewy 
• Regional Specialty: Jewel Strawberries
• Origin: Miyagi

This special pack of gummies is called Fettuccine because they’re shaped just like pasta. Featuring a delicate sweetness accented by a subtle tartness, these gummies let snackers taste Miyagi’s famous jewel strawberries. They combine two special varieties of Miyagi strawberries: the "Niko Niko Berry" and the "Mouikko Berry.” 

THIRD STOP: NIIGATA 

A scenic and relaxed countryside located close to the Sea of Japan, Niigata offers slower, nature-focused adventures to the weary traveler. It's known for its world-class skiing, premium sake, and its specialty rice. 

8. Echigo Star of Niigata Shrimp Crackers

~Regional flavor~

• Flavor Profile:  Savory, Umami, Crispy
• Regional Specialty: Niigata rice
• Origin: Niigata

Description: Niigata is known for its high-quality  Koshihikari rice which is chewy, nutty, sweet, and filled with so much umami. Made with 100% Niigata rice, these shrimp crackers deliver a superior crunch that’s hard to find. Combining the umami of shrimp with the sweet bite of onions, the Echigo Star of Niigata Shrimp Crackers are fantastically crunchy, savory, and addictive. 

FOURTH STOP: HIROSHIMA

Highlighted by the "floating" Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima has a rich local cuisine. Some of the tastiest treats you can find in Hiroshima are Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and oysters. You'll also find the best lemons in Hiroshima! 

9. Echigo Funwari Setouchi Lemon Rice Crackers

~Regional flavor~

• Flavor Profile:  Savory, Tart, Crispy
• Regional Specialty: Setouchi Lemons
• Origin: Hiroshima

Description: These subtly sweet rice crackers are accented with the zesty taste of refreshing Setouchi lemons. A specialty of the Hiroshima region in Japan, Setouchi lemons are fragrant, juicy, and have a mild tartness to them. Each crispy rice cracker is a delicate balance of sweet, savory, and zestiness. Each bite leaves you wanting more and more! 

FINAL STOP: SHIKOKU ISLAND

Shikoku is the smallest of Japan's four main islands, located in the southernmost part of the country. It's a breathtaking place with rugged nature and deep spiritual history. You'll find yuzu citrus one of the highlights of Shikoku! 

10. Lotte Sasha Yuzu Caramel Chocolate

~Premium chocolate~

• Flavor Profile:  Sweet, Creamy, Zesty
• Regional Specialty: Yuzu 
• Origin: Shikoku

This intricate bar of Japanese chocolate weaves together two different flavors: creamy caramel and chocolate infused with yuzu, the most iconic citrus fruit of Japan.  A product of Shikoku Island, yuzu mixes together the tart and bitter flavors of grapefruit, orange, and lime. This chocolate bar gives you the perfect balance of sweetness and zest by interweaving layers of caramel chocolate and yuzu chocolate together! 

The Shinkansen is whistling, and the snacks are packed! Oishi and Ama-Mama are ready to lead the way on this year’s Golden Week Snack Trail. Since this festive journey leads straight into Mother’s Day, we’ve made sure there’s plenty to share. Whether you’re gifting this box for Mother’s Day or sharing a treat with a mentor, Oishi and his mom are so excited to have you along. Ready to taste-test the best of Japan together? Grab your Japanese Candy Box for this May!

What snack are you most excited to try? Are you looking forward to nibbling on the Puku Puku Tai Pudding Wafers? Maybe you’re dying to chew on some Fettuccine Premium Migayi Strawberry Gummies? Don’t worry, with the Golden Week Snack Trail, you can try all of the tastiest treats Japan’s holiday season has to offer.

P.S. Ama-Mama says: The secret ingredient to any snack trail is good company. Happy Mother’s Day to all our snack-loving queens!