Shop for Souvenirs in Japan the Japanese Way!

Looking for local souvenir recommendations in Japan? While you’ll certainly find plenty of keychains and wacky gifts on store shelves, within Japanese culture the most common souvenirs are always edible. It’s a Japanese tradition to bring back local food from wherever you’ve visited during your travels, which means Japanese locals will almost always recommend a small snack or sweet treat as the perfect souvenir. So what gifts do you choose when you’re traveling in Japan, a land of endless delicacies and uniquely delicious flavors?

If you’re ready to embrace Japan’s snacky souvenir culture, then here at Japankuru we’d like to introduce you to a few of our best recommendations from Meito Sangyo, a Japanese manufacturer known for their kawaii snacks and tasty drink mixes. Not only are these fun treats delicious, but they’re all lightweight too, so you can bring gifts for everyone back home without weighing down your bags! Great for kids and adults alike, these popular Japanese products make it easy to bring a whole Japanese tea party home in your suitcase.

Puku Puku Tai: Kawaii Japanese Snacks with Retro Appeal

What is a Puku Puku Tai?

Japanese snack lovers might recognize the distinctive fish shape of a Puku Puku Tai, since the look was inspired by Japan’s traditional “taiyaki” cakes, which are made to resemble sea bream. But despite the similar appearance, these snacks are very different once you take a nibble. Each little fish is made from a wafer shell and a unique aerated chocolate center, resulting in a satisfyingly sweet and simple snack that feels light on the tongue and won’t weigh you down. With their unique texture and classic flavors, Puku Puku Tai quickly became a hit after arriving on shelves in Japan in 1989, and they’re still a cross-generational favorite with a retro feel.

These days, Puku Puku Tai are a classic after-school snack for Japanese kids, with 30~40mg of calcium in each one to satisfy parents. But they’re also a nostalgic treat for many adults, too, thanks to the unique texture. Puku Puku Tai are fun to eat at any age!

Puku Puku Tai Varieties

Puku Puku Tai keeps it simple with two standard flavors: Chocolate and Strawberry. If you’re a collector at heart, though, your heart will sing at the seven different package designs for each flavor! Each package features a different version of the snack’s fishy mascot, dressed up like a pirate or tucked into a basket of strawberries. This makes it particularly fun when handing them out as gifts… or when making your way through your own Japanese snack stash! If you’re really lucky, you might even open up a Puku Puku Tai to find a rare heart wafer version, where the snack is decorated with hearts instead of standard scales! No matter which version you get, a Puku Puku Tai is a fun way to enjoy Japan’s love of all things kawaii.

Stick Mate: Your Instant Japanese Tea Experience

What are Stick Mate teas?

As the country that created matcha, it should come as no surprise that Japan has some fantastic powdered tea options, and these portable packets make it easy to enjoy a tasty tea drink wherever life takes you! The Stick Mate lineup currently includes five different series, and each box comes with a selection of four different flavors. The result is a wide variety of instant teas, from fruity peach tea to a roasted green tea (hojicha) latte. All of them are low-calorie, and depending on the variety of tea, there are options both with and without caffeine. The compact, lightweight packets are not only portable, but the tea powder itself dissolves easily in both hot and cold water, so it’s easy to enjoy a drink on the go. We recommend trying them out during your trip to Japan so you know exactly which ones to bring home as souvenirs!

Tea Lattes

Four creamy, luxurious tea latte options, ready in seconds! The Stick Mate black tea latte is a classic, but the new “Honey Latte” flavor adds an aroma of honey for a satisfyingly sweet drink under 30 calories. If you’ve fallen in love with Japan’s own unique tea culture, you’ll love the rich taste of the instant Matcha Latte, as well as the roasted green tea Hojicha Latte – a Japanese favorite that has only recently found popularity around the world. We think these are especially delicious when paired with Puku Puku Tai

Fruit Teas & Vitamin C Drinks

Looking for something fruity and flavorful? The Stick Mate fruit teas – made with black tea and a hint of fruit juice – are actually the most popular flavors of all, with a mix of lemon, peach, apple, and mixed berry teas in each box. Drink them hot to enjoy the fruity steam that wafts off each cup, or add the tea mix to cold water for a refreshing chilled drink.

For a delicious punch of vitamin C, the Stick Mate Vitamin C box has four citrus flavors: lemon, orange, pink grapefruit, and (our favorite) yuzu. If you’ve become a fan of the unique flavor of yuzu during your time in Japan, this is a fun way to bring a little bit of yuzu home with you! Plus, with 1000mg of vitamin C in each cup, these drink mixes are great for when you want your immune system working its best – especially during your trip to Japan!

Jasmine & Rooibos Teas

We recommend the jasmine teas for a unique tea experience, each tea fusing the floral aroma of jasmine with a different fruity flavor. Along with more familiar options like peach and orange, each box also includes packs of exotic jasmine and lychee tea, as well as a blend of jasmine and muscat grapes, which are particularly popular in Japan.

Last but not least, the Stick Mate rooibos teas are the latest addition to the lineup, with a series of comforting herbal teas. Along with a plain and simple rooibos tea, you’ll also find rooibos teas with ginger, apple, and honey in each box. Unsweetened and caffeine-free, these rooibos teas are perfect for winding down at the end of the day, and sipping before bed!

Easy Japanese Snacks for the Busy Traveler

If you’re looking for some new Japanese snacks to try during your trip, we think Puku Puku Tai and Stick Mate teas make the perfect combo. Lightweight and compact, these fun Japanese favorites are easy to keep in your bag and enjoy while you explore Japan! Snack on a Puku Puku Tai whenever you need a little treat to keep your blood sugar up, or pour one of the drink mixes right into your water bottle, give it a shake, and enjoy your favorite tea on the go.

These snacks are affordable too – a Puku Puku Tai is usually priced at just 80 yen! And since each box of Stick Mate teas is just 560 yen for 18~24 tea packets, each drink is only a fraction of the price of buying tea from a vending machine or convenience store. Plus, they’re great for throwing in your carry-on luggage on the way home – no need to overpay for snacks and drinks at the airport or on the plane.

Cute & Convenient Souvenirs From Japan: A Japanese Tea Party for Everyone Back Home

Can’t wait to tell everyone back home about all your adventures in Japan? Invite friends and family over for a casual tea party made easy with Puku Puku Tai and Stick Mate, and send them home with extra Japanese snacks and teas as souvenirs! It’s a unique way to share some of the fun of Japan with all your favorite people, and you’ll have no trouble fitting plenty of Puku Puku Tai and Stick Mate teas in your suitcase.

Where to Get Snacks in Japan

Both Puku Puku Tai and Stick Mate teas can be found at select convenience stores and supermarkets around Japan, but if you’re looking for a good selection of both, your best bet will be Don Quijiote or certain Japanese drugstores. Cosmos drugstores carry a selection of Meito Sangyo products at many of their locations. Stick Mate teas are especially common at drugstores, often available at Sun Drug, Seims, Sugi Pharmacy, and Matsumoto Kiyoshi.

▶︎ Find more to add to your Japanese drugstore shopping list!

Sip, Snack, and Remember Japan

Whether you’re reminiscing about your recent trip or hoping to share a taste of Japan with loved ones, Puku Puku Tai and Stick Mate teas are charming, delicious ways to relive the experience. These easy-to-pack snacks and drinks combine a touch of Japanese tradition with the country’s unique sense of fun, and their convenience makes them great souvenirs. So go ahead, bring home a taste of Japan, and turn any day into your own cozy tea party!

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