Party Snacks: Best Donuts in Japan for the New Year!  

It’s time to say hello to 2024, and what better way than with a party? Board games, soft drinks, and many tasty Japanese snacks for the guests. But when it comes to goodies, let’s try something new. Instead of chips and cookies, why not get some donuts? Here are the top places in Japan to get donuts, the best party snacks, for the New Year!

Mister Donut 

Let’s start with one of Japan’s most beloved donut chains. Initially founded in the United States, the first Japanese Mister Donut (“Misdo”) store and training center opened in Osaka in 1971. Since then, it’s become one of the most popular fast-food chains in the country.

Mister Donuts, or Misdo prides itself on handmade donuts with a signature texture. Their offerings include the Pon de Ring, French crullers, and yeast donuts. They’re also selling Pon de Reese donuts in chocolate, white, strawberry, and several varieties of Pon de Chocolate.

But if you’d like savory Japanese snacks, we recommend Misdo’s dim sum or pizzatta. For a limited time, you can buy the Zaku Mocchi Ring, which is available in three options with two fillings each. A perfect midnight snack or early New Year’s breakfast!

Krispy Kreme 

Next is a name international readers will recognize. Krispy Kreme’s first Japanese store opened in 2006. Their donuts are beloved Japanese snacks that travelers can also enjoy!

Krispy Kreme sells classics like the Original Glazed, but they also go out for holidays like Halloween and Valentine’s Day. Their Christmas menu includes the Pistachio Kreme Wreath and Strawberry Custard Santa. There are also regional limited-time offerings, such as Hokkaido’s Honey Buttermilk. We recommend getting them before they’re gone! 

Starting December 26, Krispy Kreme will sell its Fortune Eto boxes with a dozen donuts, a half-dozen, or three. And starting January 1, they’re offering the Donut Lucky Bag 2024 (4800 yen, or $33 USD). If you want your New Year to start right, snap up a box or bag for your New Year party snacks!

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Racines Donut and Ice Cream Ebisu 

One of two branches in Tokyo (the other is in Aoyama), Racines Donut and Ice Cream Ebisu, has a stunning variety of donuts. You can choose from chocolate crunch brioche, maple bacon donuts, or glazed French crullers. Anything your sweet tooth desires!

However, Racines also sells ice cream, soups, salads, and sandwiches. If you want to fill yourself with something more substantial than Japanese snacks, we suggest you check out their other menu items.

If you want to step things up a notch, consider celebrating the New Year with a dinner at Atelier Lala, the restaurant attached to Racines. Treat yourself and your loved ones to Wagyu beef, Hakodate sea bass, or whitebait with red Chinese cabbage.

DUMBO Doughnuts and Coffee 

Our next stop combines Japanese snacks with New York City pizzazz. DUMBO Doughnuts and Coffee’s donuts are baked using “a secret dough,” making them both light and delicious. 

DUMBO sells over ten flavors at a time, with the signature NYC-style glaze on top. For Christmas, they’re selling white raspberry donuts. A box of these treats will add class to your party and much-needed sugar.

And for extra caffeine, grab some coffee made with DUMBO’s fancy espresso machine. Or you can pick up a coffee can bottle to make your brew at home. It’s a great idea to ring in the New Year if you stay up late (or all night)!

Hara Donuts 

Our final destination is Hara Donuts. Their slogan is “Delicious and safe to eat,” they bake donuts without preservatives. Most of their stores use soy milk and soy pulp (okara) made with Hokkaido soybeans. 

Hara’s current seasonal flavors are choco apple and berry white, while their vegetable donuts are carrot, sweet potato, and spinach. Classics include sugar cane, white chocolate, and specially cultivated cinnamon.

But what makes Hara stand out are their donut balls, which come in many flavors: matcha, truffle, chocolate, and strawberry, to name a few. These Japanese snacks are the perfect crowd-pleasers for your New Year’s party!

Why should I enjoy Japanese donuts for the New Year? 

Donuts might seem strange for Japanese snacks, but hear us out. First, each donut store’s regular menu has many choices, depending on the dough and toppings. Then, there are the limited-time options for Christmas and New Year that you can’t get at any other time.

Ordering donuts is stress-free if you do it early enough to avoid the crowds. And besides sticky fingers and crumbs that can be easily vacuumed, they aren’t as messy as some party snacks. Finally, they’re a nice change from typical fare like crackers and punch. If you’re looking for a dessert everyone can enjoy, buy a dozen or more donuts. 

Have you visited any of these Japanese donut shops? What are your favorite Japanese snacks for the New Year? Tell us in the comments below. And Happy New Year from all of us at TokyoTreat!