6 Recommended Edible Souvenirs to Bring Home from Japan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japan has a strong tradition of omiyage, or edible souvenirs. Japanese people go to great lengths to bring back omiyage from trips, whether domestic or overseas, to share with family, friends, co-workers, and even neighbors.

The omiyage industry is well established in Japan. With the country's reputation for attracting millions of tourists each year, there are plenty of souvenirs that visitors can bring home from Japan, available almost everywhere from shopping malls and airport duty-free shops to shops that specialize in selling omiyage typical of each prefecture. 

Citing Travel and Leisure, the following are some of Japan's most popular omiyage to bring home:

1. Kit Kat

Originally an English brand chocolate covered wafer bar, Japan's Kit Kat gained popularity due to their high variety of uniquely Japanese flavors such as matcha or sake. There are also seasonal flavors such as the Sakura flavor marketed during the cherry blossom time.

2. Pocky

The sweet biscuit sticks by Ezaki Glico are a popular snack both in Japan and Indonesia. While the products are available here, Pocky packs come in a wider variety of flavors in Japan.

3. Mochi

The Japanese rice cake made from pounded glutinous rice grains has cultural significance in the country and is often served at traditional ceremonies. Freshly made mochi is the best, but as a souvenir, it is best to buy special souvenir mochi, as they have a longer shelf life and are usually presented in very attractive packaging.

4. Taiyaki

The Japanese fish-shaped cake is commonly sold as street food served warm. Famous fillings include red bean paste, custard, and chocolate, but nowadays there are even more options like cheese, matcha, and even sakura.

5. Tokyo Banana

A very typical Japanese omiyage is the cream-filled cake made by TOKYO BANANA. They are available at many famous tourist attractions such as the Tokyo Skytree, supermarkets, convenience stores, as well as train stations and airports.

6. Ramune Candy

Ramune is an iconic summer lemon drink popular with the Japanese. Today, Ramune is also available as a candy. Sweet, sour and slightly fizzy, the candy is a unique treat that creates a delicious sensation.

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