Japan Crate: A Retrospective on the Japanese Snack Company

On March 13, 2025, Japan Crate, a subscription box company that sold Japanese snacks worldwide, announced it was shutting down after operating for 10 years. They released their final box–the final Cherry Blossom Crate Box- before closing down sales on March 31st. Let’s look at Japan Crate’s history and the future of Japanese snacks. 

What was Japan Crate?

Japan Crate was founded by Hank Rao and Anthony Sconzo in 2014 as the first Japanese subscription box. Over the years, it has expanded its offerings to include various themed crates, such as Doki Doki Crate (launched November 2015), which features kawaii items like toys and accessories, and Umai Crate (launched August 2016), which focuses on Japanese noodles.

Throughout the years, Japan Crate has highlighted many aspects of Japanese culture, including New Year’s in Japan, summer festivals, cherry blossom season, and much more. While Japan Crate has ended, the adventure of Japanese snacks continues!

Are there any alternatives to Japan Crate?

Access to Japanese snacks outside of Japan has always been challenging due to Japan’s limited snack releases and seasonal varieties. Since Japan Crate has ended its services, acquiring limited-edition snacks has become slightly more difficult. However, there’s no need to worry; other amazing snack subscription services offer Japan-exclusive snacks to get your snacking fix.

TokyoTreat

TokyoTreat is a monthly subscription box that offers a variety of seasonal, exclusive, and fun Japanese snacks! In each box, you’ll find an array of flavorful goodies, such as Kit Kats, Japanese candy, chips, chocolate, noodles, and more!

Every month, TokyoTreat releases a new theme that fits the current season in Japan or highlights a unique aspect of Japanese culture. We also have exclusive selections that you can only find in Japan! Overall, TokyoTreat is the perfect way to explore Japan’s vibrant snack scene from home, with every box offering a delicious and immersive cultural experience!

Sakuraco

Sakuraco–another Japan Crate alternative–is for those who want to experience the joy of wagashi or traditional Japanese snacks. It has become a thriving community of food lovers, makers, and artisans dedicated to sharing the authentic taste of Japan with the rest of the world. Every month, Sakuraco carefully hand-curates snacks, teas, and home goods to offer a window into authentic Japanese snacks and culture. 

Both TokyoTreat and Sakuraco come with full-color booklets that not only tell you where each snack comes from but also include detailed cultural articles that give you insight into Japanese culture!

Looking back at Japan Crate, what were their most notable boxes?

Harajuku Hangouts (August 2024)

Harajuku is a trendy neighborhood in Tokyo, popular for fashion and fun food! It’s home to locations like Totti Candy Factory, known for its iconic cotton candy, and Strawberry Fetish, selling candied strawberries and other fruits. As a result, the Harajuku Hangouts box from Japan Crate included Japanese snacks like strawberry nuts, Rich Strawberry Kit Kats, and Kirby Cotton Candy.

9th Anniversary Board Game (September 2023)

In 2023, Japan Crate celebrated its ninth anniversary by releasing a box that could be played as a board game called “Journey Through Japan”! In addition to containing Japanese candy and snacks, the box came with collectible game pieces. If you unfolded the box entirely, it became a board game you could play with friends!

Did they have any notable collaborations?

Japan Crate collaborated with several popular Japanese franchises, ranging from hits like Attack on Titan to cult classics like Katamari Damacy. 

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Crate (November 2024)

In anticipation of the action-adventure game Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Japan Crate released a collaboration box that featured “treats inspired by feudal Japan.” The snacks’ packaging generally had a red and black palette, with heavy references to ninjas and samurai, aligning with the game’s two protagonists. Some snacks in the box included Transforming Ninja Ramune Grape Gum, Funwari Mochi Black Sesame, and Samurai Black Chocolate.

Persona 5 Royal Limited Edition Snack Box (April 2024)

Persona 5 Royal is the definitive edition of ATLUS’s critically acclaimed role-playing game Persona 5, known for its stylish art, compelling story, and unique gameplay. Given its massive popularity in Japan and the West, Japan Crate released an exclusive collaboration box featuring a curated selection of sweet and savory Japanese snacks that captured the essence and themes of the game.

Beyond Japan Crate, the ongoing journey of Japanese snack culture

As we bid farewell to Japan Crate, it’s clear that the company has left a lasting impact on the world of Japanese snack subscriptions. For a decade, Japan Crate brought Japan’s flavors and culture directly into the hands of snack lovers across the globe, introducing countless fans to the quirky, seasonal, and sometimes surprising treats that Japan has to offer. From nostalgic classics to unique collaborations with beloved anime and video games, Japan Crate was a pioneer in sharing the best of Japan’s snack culture.

While Japan Crate has closed down, the spirit of Japanese snacking is far from over. With exciting alternatives like TokyoTreat and Sakuraco, the world of Japanese snacks is still at your fingertips. These services offer an immersive experience, bringing you closer to Japan’s vibrant food culture, whether it’s fun pop culture snacks, seasonal treats, or a taste of traditional wagashi.

As we look forward to the future, Japan Crate’s legacy also lives on in the form of these new and evolving snack boxes, ensuring that fans of Japanese food and culture will continue to explore, taste, and share the wonders of Japan, one snack at a time.

We here at TokyoTreat and Sakuraco, would like to thank Japan Crate for their efforts, and we will continue to carry on the tradition of bringing Japanese snacks to people worldwide!