Happy Snack Day! 6 Must-Try Snacks When Visiting Japan

You or someone you know has probably had the experience of visiting Japan and coming back with half a suitcase full of snacks―Japanese snacks just hit different! Did you know that Japan has a day dedicated to tasty treats? 21 June marks a special occasion in Japan—Snack Day (スナックの日 Sunakku no Hi), a celebration established by the All Japan Kashi Association (ANKA) (全日本菓子協会) to promote the joy and variety of snacks. 

In this article, let’s explore the origins of Snack Day and delve into six popular Japanese snacks that have captured the hearts of locals and international tourists alike.

The Origins of Snack Day (21 June)

21 June is Snack Day. | Photo by photoAC

Snack Day was created by the All Japan Kashi Association with the aim of highlighting the diverse and rich snack culture in Japan. Snacks, also known as ” kashi” (菓子) in Japanese, typically refers to savoury titbits made from carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes, and corn, which are fried in oil. 

21 June coincides with the summer solstice. In the past, there was a tradition of eating hardened rice cakes (歯固め hagatame) to strengthen the teeth and pray for longevity, and the All Japan Confectionery Association hopes that consuming hard (crunchy) snacks on this day will foster a similar sense of celebration and well-being. 

Snack Day promotes the enjoyment of snacks, so grab your favourite snack and let’s take a look at six of Japan’s most popular and beloved snacks:

① Potato Sticks

Have you tried potato sticks? | Photo by photoAC

You may have eaten potato chips, but have you had potato sticks (ポテトスティック)? Aside from potato chips―which started to be sold in Japan in 1962 by Koikeya, and then in 1975 by Calbee―another popular snack in Japan is potato sticks, such as Jagarico, Jagabee, and Jagapokkuru.

Jagarico’s cup packaging makes eating convenient. | Photo by photoAC

Jagarico is Japan’s most popular potato stick snack, and was brought to market by Calbee in 1995. These potato sticks are known for their crunchy texture and come in a convenient cup packaging for easy snacking. Jagarico is available in a variety of flavours, such as cheese, salad, and butter, as well as seasonal and region-limited flavours. 

Jagarico’s satisfying crunch and its innovative easy-to-eat-on-the-go cup packaging make it particularly popular among students and office workers looking for a quick and tasty treat. 

Did you know? Jagarico are even sold on the snack trolleys in shinkansen (新幹線 bullet trains)!

② Senbei

Senbei, the quintessential Japanese snack. | Photo by photoAC

Rice snacks are a staple in Japanese snack culture, with a history that dates back centuries, and one of the most beloved rice snacks in Japan is senbei (煎餅・せんべい). Senbei are traditional Japanese rice crackers that are often enjoyed for their satisfying crunch and diverse flavours. 

What’s your favourite senbei flavour? | Photo by photoAC

The word “senbei” literally means “roasted rice cake”, and the preparation of senbei involves grilling rice cakes, resulting in a crispy texture that is beloved by many. Senbei are usually savoury, with common varieties including soy sauce-flavoured, sesame, and seaweed-wrapped versions.

Oranda Senbei Grilled Corn Rice Crackers — available in June 2024’s “Yummy Yamagata” Omiyage Snack Box! | Photo by JAPAN RAIL CLUB

Did you know? The Shonai (庄内) area of Yamagata Prefecture (山形県) is one of Japan’s premium rice production areas, making it a thriving senbei destination! Oranda Senbei (オランダせんべい) is one of Yamagata’s most well-loved rice cracker brands, characterised by their lightly-seasoned ultra-thin rice crackers. 

Good news, fellow readers! This June, you can get your hands on these delicious Oranda Senbei rice crackers in JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s “Yummy Yamagata” Omiyage Snack Box! Keen to sign up? Be sure to read this article until the end for a yummy surprise~

② Okaki

Okaki is made from glutinous rice, giving it a chewier texture. | Photo by photoAC

Okaki (おかき) are a type of rice cracker made from glutinous rice, which gives them a chewier texture compared to senbei, which is made from non-glutinous rice. Okaki are typically deep-fried or baked, and can be seasoned with various flavours such as soy sauce, salt, or even seafood.

Like senbei, okaki can come in a variety of flavours. | Photo by photoAC

Okaki was traditionally made as a way to use up leftover glutinous rice cakes (餅 mochi) from the New Year’s celebrations.

Did you know? The word “okaki” is derived from the Japanese verb “kaku” (欠く) meaning “to crack” or “to break,” which refers to the process of breaking the mochi into smaller pieces before drying and frying them.

③ Kaki-no-tane

Kaki-no-tane is known for its crescent shape. | Photo by photoAC

Kaki-no-tane (柿の種) is a best-selling, timeless favourite made up of crescent-shaped rice crackers baked in soy sauce, often mixed with salted peanuts. Kaki-no-tane gets its name from the crackers’ crescent shapes, which resemble the seeds (種 tane) of a persimmon (柿 kaki). 

Enjoy kaki-no-tane with a cold glass of beer. | Photo by photoAC

Kaki-no-tane is commonly enjoyed with beer, and is a favourite during social gatherings and parties. Fun fact: Kaki-no-tane is also called kaki-pī, with “pī” being short for “peanuts”.

④ Ebisen

Ebisen is a tasty and well-loved snack. | Photo by photoAC

Ebisen (えびせん), or shrimp-flavoured rice crackers, are another beloved snack in Japan. These crispy and savoury crackers are made by blending rice flour with shrimp paste, which gives them their distinctive taste and aroma. Ebisen can come in various shapes and sizes, from flat and round, to stick-like forms, and they often feature a light, airy texture that melts in the mouth.

The shrimp flavour of ebisen makes you keep wanting more. | Photo by photoAC

The unique flavour profile of ebisen—combining the umami of shrimp with the satisfying crunch of a rice cracker—makes it a popular choice among snack enthusiasts. This tasty snack can be enjoyed on its own, or paired with beverages, making it a common sight at social gatherings and parties.

Fun fact: seagulls also enjoy ebisen, and ebisen is often sold at beaches for tourists to feed seagulls!

⑥ Biscuit Sticks

Pretz is flavoured with seasoning powders. | Photo by photoAC

If you are a fan of Japanese snacks, you might have heard of Pocky and Pretz, two iconic Japanese biscuit stick snacks produced by the confectionery company Glico. These stick-shaped biscuit snacks are loved for their convenience and variety of flavours, with Pocky being sweet and Pretz being savoury.

To share or not to share? | Photo by photoAC

While Pocky are biscuit sticks coated with a layer of sweet frosting, Pretz are savoury biscuit sticks that come in flavours such as tomato, salad, butter soy sauce, and chicken. Unlike Pocky, Pretz are not coated with a sweet layer, but are instead flavoured with seasonings. 

Pretz’s savoury taste and crunchy texture make it a great snack for those who prefer something less sweet, and is a popular snack for both casual munching and sharing with friends.

Life is Butter with Snacks

What’s your favourite snack? | Photo by photoAC

From traditional rice snacks like senbei and okaki, to modern favorites like Pretz and Jagarico, there is a snack for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are savouring the peanuts in kaki-no-tane, indulging in the rich shrimp taste in ebisen, or enjoying the satisfying crunch of senbei, Snack Day is a rice day to appreciate the delicious world of Japanese snacks!

Every Day is Snack Day at JAPAN RAIL CLUB!

But why wait for 21 June to celebrate Snack Day, when every day can be Snack Day? JAPAN RAIL CLUB by JR East offers a snack subscription plan for you to rediscover another side of Japan through the best (and most delicious) way possible — its yummy snacks!

Keen to kickstart your snacking journey with us? Subscribe by 30 June 2024 to enjoy a 12% discount when choosing a Snack Subscription Plan with the promo code “YUMMY12”. The best part is that every month’s Omiyage Snack Box will feature a different theme and season, so if you are a fan of snacks, this is the best souvenir to sign up for and receive from Japan! Happy snacking!