Browse Categories

Must have!

Dagashi

Must have!

Dagashi

Beginners Guide to TokyoTreat: Japanese Dagashi Snacks

Dagashi are snacks that are woven into the childhood of many people who grew up in Japan.

These delicious, light snacks have been beloved for decades and continue to be made by smaller and lesser-known makers. But often they don’t make it overseas, with many people favoring snacks from well-known brands.

TokyoTreat loves to share these hidden gem Japanese snacks every month as part of our monthly Japanese candy and snack subscription box. But many might be wondering “what are Dagashi” or “what are the best dagashi to try” - so let’s find out together before we explain how to get your hands on our Japanese dagashi box!

What are Japanese Dagashi Snacks?

Dagashi are light Japanese snacks aimed at kids in Japan. They often feature tasty, simple flavors, ranging from sweet and crunchy chocolate and gummies to savory snacks like Umaibō and Cabbage Taro. Their packaging often features a cute design and fun, recognisable characters.

One important feature of dagashi is the price point. They perfectly match the budget of a kid looking for a treat, spending the money they got from helping out around the house.

Don’t be fooled though! Dagashi is also enjoyed by many adults.

As many children fall in love with these snacks at an early age, they continue to eat them well into adulthood. Many companies even make a special effort to make premium flavor versions of their treats with limited edition or seasonal ingredients that always keep fans on their toes!

Where Did Dagashi Candy Come From?

Originally, Japanese sweets were not for everyone. During the Edo Period (1603-1868). With Japan’s developing tea culture, Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) made with elegant ingredients such as azuki red bean paste were also becoming more and more popular in the upper classes.

Humble Beginnings, Experimental Future!

Umaibō’s first successes came from it’s individually wrapped packaging. At that time, other Dagashi (light Japanese snacks popular with kids) were not individually wrapped, as was the custom for Dagashi sold in small family owned candy stores (Dagashi-ya).

But thanks to the individually wrapped Umaibō and their cute mascot, the snacks were safe and easy to store, transport and sell at a low price point! This helped them take off quickly among both young and older audiences.

The next step was diversifying flavors! Offering both seasonal Umaibō, or even limited-edition Umaibō flavors that tie into special events. Never stopping with trying new things and surprising their fans, all while keeping their original charm is truly the magic of Umaibō!

And your friends at TokyoTreat are all about sharing the magic of Japanese snacks! Sign up to Japanese mystery snack box TokyoTreat and look forward to trying this snack which is essential to modern Japanese snacking culture! And your friends at TokyoTreat are all about sharing the magic of Japanese snacks! Sign up to Japanese mystery snack box TokyoTreat and look forward to trying this snack which is essential to modern Japanese snacking culture!

Check this month’s upcoming box!