If you’re planning a trip to Japan or simply love Japanese culture, you’re in for a treat! Japanese matcha snacks offer an incredible fusion of traditional tea culture and modern confectionery artistry. As one of the most popular types of japanese snacks, I’ll share the 10 best matcha snacks you absolutely must try when visiting Japan, these matcha snacks will enhance your cultural experience and provide perfect souvenirs to bring back home.
10 Japanese Matcha Snacks You Must Try
Here are 10 incredible Japanese matcha snacks covering everything from chocolate bars to cookies, rolls, and traditional wagashi (Japanese confections):
1. KitKat Matcha Flavor (キットカット 抹茶味)
The Japanese-exclusive flavor of Nestlé’s iconic KitKat, featuring crispy wafer biscuits covered in rich matcha chocolate coating. This is one of the most popular souvenirs for international visitors to Japan, and it’s globally recognized! Japanese matcha flavors typically use Uji matcha, offering a rich taste with perfectly balanced bitter-sweet notes. I highly recommend this because it’s easy to find, has a classic flavor, and is perfect for sharing with friends back home. It’s like finding a familiar treat with an amazing Japanese twist that you can enjoy anywhere in Japan!
Ideal For
- Matcha snack beginners
- Chocolate and wafer cookie lovers
- International visitors looking for recognizable treats
Where to Buy
- Primary Locations: Major convenience stores (7-11, Lawson, FamilyMart), supermarkets, drugstores, and airport duty-free shops throughout Japan
- Other Locations: You’ll find these everywhere during your travels - they’re always prominently displayed on candy/chocolate shelves
Price Range
- Category: Affordable snack
- Cost: ¥250 - ¥600 JPY (packaged or boxed, depending on size)
2. Gion Tsujiri Tsujiri no Sato Matcha Roll (ぎおんつじり 辻利の里 / Gion Tsujiri Tsujiri no Sato)
A signature dessert from Kyoto’s old-established tea house “Gion Tsujiri,” featuring thin, crispy roll cookies filled with delicate matcha cream. Strong brand backing with guaranteed quality! The milk aroma of the roll cookies perfectly blends with the tea fragrance of matcha cream, offering a crispy texture with smooth filling. I highly recommend this because it’s produced by a traditional tea house with premium quality and makes an excellent gift for elders or tea ceremony enthusiasts. It’s like experiencing traditional tea culture in a modern confection that represents centuries of Japanese tea craftsmanship!
Ideal For
- Matcha enthusiasts who pursue high quality and tea ceremony culture experience
- Those looking for premium traditional treats
- Travelers seeking authentic Japanese tea house products
Where to Buy
- Primary Locations: Gion Tsujiri stores (such as Kyoto Gion Main Store, Tokyo Daimaru Store, etc.), gift sections of major department stores, and airport duty-free shops
- Other Locations: I highly recommend visiting stores directly to purchase and taste fresher products
Price Range
- Category: Mid-to-high-end souvenir
- Cost: ¥800 - ¥1,500 JPY (boxed, 10-20 pieces)
3. Pocky Uji Matcha Flavor (ポッキー 宇治抹茶)
The upgraded matcha version of the classic Pocky biscuit stick, with biscuit sticks covered in rich Uji matcha chocolate. Pocky is incredibly popular throughout Asia, and the Uji matcha flavor is a regional specialty! It focuses more on the biscuit’s texture compared to KitKat, with thick matcha coating. I highly recommend this because it’s a flavor-upgraded national snack with great value for money, perfect for enjoying on the go during your travels. It’s like getting a familiar favorite with an amazing Japanese regional specialty twist that’s perfect for snacking while exploring Japan!
Ideal For
- Casual snack lovers
- Students
- Travelers seeking affordable treats on the go
Where to Buy
- Primary Locations: Major convenience stores and supermarkets throughout Japan
- Other Locations: They’re prominently displayed on snack shelves, making them easy to find
Price Range
- Category: Very affordable
- Cost: ¥150 - ¥250 JPY (one box)
4. Royce’ Nama Chocolate Matcha Flavor (ロイズ 生チョコレート [抹茶])
Hokkaido’s renowned chocolate brand Royce’s star product - silky smooth “nama” (fresh) chocolate with premium matcha. An ultimate luxurious experience for your taste buds! Nama chocolate has high water content and must be refrigerated. It melts in your mouth instantly, with matcha’s subtle bitterness balancing the sweetness of chocolate. I highly recommend this because it’s a presentable gift with an excellent personal experience, but remember to keep it refrigerated throughout (duty-free shops at airports usually provide cooling bags). It’s like finding a little piece of heaven in each bite that showcases Hokkaido’s premium chocolate-making expertise!
Ideal For
- Heavy chocolate and matcha lovers
- Those pursuing ultimate taste experiences
- Travelers seeking high-end souvenirs
Where to Buy
- Primary Locations: Royce’ specialty stores (mainly in Hokkaido), major airport duty-free shops (with refrigeration), and underground food areas of large department stores
- Other Locations: Make sure to purchase during the final stages of your trip or at the airport
Price Range
- Category: Mid-to-high price range
- Cost: ¥800 - ¥1,500 JPY (one box of 20 pieces)
5. Nakamura Tokichi Matcha Financier/Cookie (中村藤吉 フィナンシェ・クッキー)
Baked goods from “Nakamura Tokichi Honten,” a 160+ year old Uji tea shop, made with their own premium matcha powder. Top-quality matcha! Nakamura Tokichi is famous for its high-quality matcha, and their baked goods retain a rich tea aroma and fresh taste with moderate sweetness. I highly recommend this as your first choice to truly taste premium Uji matcha flavors with deep brand history. It’s like tasting centuries of tea mastery in a single bite, representing the pinnacle of Uji’s tea culture that has been refined over generations!
Ideal For
- Matcha “connoisseurs”
- Those who love Japanese wagashi and refined desserts
- Travelers seeking authentic Uji matcha experience
Where to Buy
- Primary Locations: Nakamura Tokichi Honten (Uji, Kyoto), stores at major transportation hubs like JR Kyoto Station, and some department stores
- Other Locations: I highly recommend visiting the main store when in Kyoto. If time is tight, you can purchase at Kyoto Station
Price Range
- Category: High price range
- Cost: ¥1,000 - ¥3,000 JPY (gift box)
6. Itokyuemon Uji Matcha Curry (いとうきゅうえもん 宇治抹茶カレー)
A unique innovation from Uji tea shop “Itokyuemon” that incorporates matcha into Japanese curry, creating a distinctive flavor with subtle bitterness and aftertaste. The most talked-about and innovative matcha product! Though not a traditional “snack,” it’s recommended as an extremely unique souvenir. It breaks the stereotype of matcha being used only in sweets, and the taste harmonizes surprisingly well. I highly recommend this to challenge your taste buds and give to friends who love novelty items. It’s like experiencing a complete flavor revolution that challenges everything you thought you knew about matcha!
Ideal For
- Novelty seekers
- Those who love to try new things and cook
- Travelers looking for unique souvenirs
Where to Buy
- Primary Locations: Itokyuemon stores, specialty food sections of some large supermarkets, and Kyoto tourist areas
- Other Locations: You can purchase at stores or online shops, then take home to enjoy with heated rice
Price Range
- Category: Mid-price range
- Cost: ¥500 - ¥800 JPY (one serving)
7. Shiroi Koibito Mifuyu Matcha (白い恋人 美冬 抹茶)
Another wafer chocolate sandwich cookie from Hokkaido’s “Shiroi Koibito” brand, with matcha flavor adding matcha chocolate between layered crispy pastries. The layered crispy pastries offer a richer texture than the original Shiroi Koibito. The combination of matcha and white chocolate is refreshing without being too sweet. It’s like getting a Hokkaido classic with an amazing matcha twist that perfectly balances traditional flavors with innovative matcha infusion!
Ideal For
- Those who love flaky pastries and light matcha flavors
- Travelers seeking Hokkaido souvenirs
- Those who enjoy white chocolate and matcha combination
Where to Buy
- Primary Locations: Major airports and gift shops in Hokkaido, and some department stores in other regions
- Other Locations: Purchase as a special Hokkaido travel souvenir
Price Range
- Category: Mid-price range
- Cost: ¥800 - ¥1,200 JPY (small box)
8. Morinaga Bakeout Matcha Chocolate (森永 ベイクアウト 抹茶)
Morinaga’s baked chocolate with a crispy exterior and rich interior, with enhanced matcha flavor after baking. Unique texture that doesn’t stick to your hands! The uniqueness of this chocolate lies in the fact that it’s “baked,” allowing you to enjoy it during summer without melting easily. The bitterness of matcha becomes more roasted after baking. I highly recommend this because it’s suitable for carrying year-round, especially in summer, with a unique flavor that’s addictive. It’s like getting chocolate that doesn’t stick to your hands and won’t melt easily, perfect for enjoying matcha treats even during hot weather!
Ideal For
- Those who love baked treats and want portable matcha snacks
- Travelers looking for snacks that won’t melt in summer
- Those who enjoy unique chocolate textures
Where to Buy
- Primary Locations: Major convenience stores and supermarkets throughout Japan
- Other Locations: A common product on snack shelves
Price Range
- Category: Affordable snack
- Cost: ¥150 - ¥250 JPY (one box)
9. Press Butter Sand Matcha Caramel Cream Sandwich Cookies (プレスバターサンド 抹茶)
Crispy sandwich cookies made with fresh Hokkaido butter, containing rich caramel sauce and matcha cream. A网红 (net idol) level queue-worthy treat! Its square shape and rich buttery milk aroma are its characteristics. The matcha flavor adds premium matcha to the cream, creating a perfect contrast with caramel’s sweetness. I highly recommend this because of its beautiful packaging, trendy flavors, and it’s a must-have for photo opportunities. It’s like getting an Instagram-worthy treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, perfect for sharing your Japanese snack experience with friends back home!
Ideal For
- Trendy food seekers
- Butter pastries and caramel-matcha combination lovers
- Those looking for Instagram-worthy treats
Where to Buy
- Primary Locations: Tokyo Station, airports, and specialty counters in major department stores
- Other Locations: Usually sold fresh at counters, I recommend purchasing and tasting immediately
Price Range
- Category: Mid-to-high price range
- Cost: ¥1,000 - ¥2,500 JPY (boxed)
10. Gogo no Kocha Matcha Latte (午後の紅茶 抹茶ラテ)
A seasonal or regular matcha latte from Kirin’s classic Afternoon Tea series. Though it’s a beverage, it’s recommended as an important part of experiencing Japanese matcha culture. A convenience store masterpiece! The texture is smooth, and the matcha taste has lower sweetness than regular café versions, offering more of the tea’s natural flavor. I highly recommend this for quenching thirst and cutting through richness - it’s the perfect companion to dry matcha snacks. It’s like getting a perfect companion to your matcha snacking journey that’s available everywhere in Japan!
Ideal For
- Convenience store beverage lovers and those seeking instant refreshment
- Those looking for a complement to dry matcha snacks
- Travelers wanting to experience matcha in beverage form
Where to Buy
- Primary Locations: Major convenience stores and vending machines throughout Japan
- Other Locations: In the refrigerated beverage section
Price Range
- Category: Affordable
- Cost: ¥130 - ¥200 JPY (one bottle/can)
💡 Expert Insights and Summary
For matcha beginners: Start with KitKat and Pocky - they’re sweeter and easier to accept.
For seasoned matcha lovers: Head straight for Gion Tsujiri or Nakamura Tokichi to experience authentic old-established tea aromas.
For those with budget and pursuing refinement: Royce’ Nama Chocolate and Press Butter Sand are your best choices, focusing more on ingredient quality and texture layers.
Best time: You can purchase and enjoy matcha snacks year-round in Japan, but many brands will release seasonal matcha flavors during spring (cherry blossom season) and autumn (harvest season) - definitely worth keeping an eye out for these!