Local sweets recommended by Payke employees!
How much do you know about Japan’s “souvenir” culture?
One of the joys of traveling is looking for local souvenirs. As you all know, there are many unique souvenirs from all over Japan.
In fact, Japanese people themselves love the souvenirs from around Japan.
Not only during private trips, but many buy local souvenirs for their co-workers during business trips to different parts of Japan.
This time, we will introduce the classic souvenirs from each region and let you know our Payke employees’ level of recommendation!
We will give you our honest opinion without holding back!
You should also try searching for your favorite souvenir in Japan!
Payke employee introduction
Without holding back! Review of classic souvenirs from each region by Payke employees
There are many classic souvenirs in Japan’s rural areas that the locals have loved since long ago.
First, let us take a look at some of the most popular souvenirs from all over Japan.
We will also introduce the level of recommendation and comments from Payke employees, so please read until the end.
Nagasaki Castella Cakes
Reference price: 1block ¥1,458 Shipping fee not included
Expiration date: 20 days or more from the shipping date
First up is castella cake, a classic souvenir from Nagasaki of Kyushu!
The people of Nagasaki have preserved the method of making castella they learned from the Portuguese long ago.
aya：The cube-shaped ones come in different packaging depending on the season, which is cute. They’re divided into servings, so the amount is just nice. I sometimes buy and eat it.
Level of recommendation ：★★★★★
saki：I’d want to eat just the part that has the coarse sugar.
Level of recommendation ：★★★★
shun：It is a very delicious pastry! But nowadays, you can buy them anywhere in the country, so I seldom buy them as souvenirs anymore.
Level of recommendation ：★★★
Click here if you want to try castella cake!
Hakata Torimon
Reference price: 6 pieces included ¥930 Shipping fee not included
Expiration date: 2-3 weeks
A classic souvenir from Fukuoka of Kyushu.
It has been loved for a long time since it was released about 30 years ago.
It is a Manju bun made of white bean paste wrapped in a skin of flour, but because it uses fresh cream and butter, it also has the taste of Western confectioneries.
shun：They are individually wrapped so they are convenient when handing them out to everyone as company souvenirs.
Level of recommendation ：★★★★
saki：The filling inside and the soft texture make it delicious.
Level of recommendation ：★★★
Click here if you want to try Hakata Torimon!
Shiroi Koibito
Reference price: 12 pieces included ¥1,036 Shipping fee not included
Expiration date: 120 days
This is a classic souvenir from Hokkaido, the land of the north.
A Western confectionery with chocolate sandwiched between langue de chat.
The name is said to have originated from the founder’s casual remark, “It has started snowing white lovers,” on his way back from skiing one year in December.
aya：It is the most classic souvenir from Hokkaido and every Japanese people will know it. There is no harm in buying it if you are visiting Japan or Hokkaido for the first time. White chocolate is sandwiched between the cookies, giving it a fun texture.
Level of recommendation ：★★★
saki：It is irresistible for white chocolate lovers. My foreign husband also loves it. Japanese people often receive it, so it might not have a novelty factor.
Level of recommendation ：★★★
shun：It is a great souvenir. It is everyone’s favorite confectionery and they will be happy to receive it.
Level of recommendation ：★★★★★
daigo：It is a typical item, so it may not feel very special.
Level of recommendation ：★
Click here if you want to order Shiroi Koibito!
Also check out classic Tokyo souvenirs!
Most foreign tourists visit Tokyo. This big city of course has its own souvenirs.
We will introduce two classic souvenirs every Japanese person has bought at least once.
Hiyoko Manju
Reference price: 5 pieces included ¥837 Shipping fee not included
Expiration date: 21 days
A souvenir created in Tokyo over 100 years ago.
Many of you may have seen this cutely shaped Manju bun before.
It is a souvenir made with a green bean yolk filling wrapped in a skin made of flour and eggs. It has become a staple Tokyo souvenir for Japanese people.
daigo：A typical Tokyo souvenir. A Manju bun with nothing special about the taste.
Level of recommendation ：★★
Click here to order Hiyoko Manju!
Sugar Butter Tree Sandwich
Reference price: 5 pieces included ¥378 Shipping fee not included)
Expiration date: 30 days
A comparatively new confectionary among Tokyo souvenirs.
A product made by baking a sandwich of a unique blend of butter and sugar between a special cereal dough made from whole wheat, rye, wheat, and grains. It is especially popular among females.
saki：]]It is a popular souvenir in Tokyo in recent years. The crunchy texture is the best. It is one of the must-buy souvenirs if you are visiting Japan or Tokyo for the first time.
Level of recommendation ：★★★★★
shun：The price is affordable and it is individually wrapped. They are convenient as souvenirs for work or home.
Level of recommendation ：★★★★★
Click here to order Sugar Butter Sandwich Tree
Known only to those in the know! A souvenir that I really recommend!
Lastly, we would like to introduce a souvenir that is still not widely known even among Japanese people, but is highly recommended by Payke employees!
Kurumicco
Reference price: 5 pieces included ¥810 Shipping fee not included)
Expiration date: 30 days or so
It is a souvenir created in Kamakura, a popular area among tourists visiting Japan, and has recently been garnering popularity.
It is a luxurious baked confectionery made by sandwiching homemade caramel filled with to the brim with walnuts between batter doughs. It also has a package with a cute squirrel drawn on it.
saki：This is a very popular product that can be purchased at Tokyo Station, which is only known to those in the know. It is so popular that it may sell out in the morning, so you can be considered lucky if you can purchase it. A filling with walnuts is sandwiched between the cookies, and I think it is the most delicious souvenir from Japan. It is possible to order it online, but it will sell out in one minute from when the orders open.
Level of recommendation ：★★★★★
Try the highly popular Kurumicco!
Oshidori Milk Cake
Reference price: Each type ¥260 Shipping fee not included
Expiration date: 300 days
Known only to those in the know! It is a representative souvenir from the Yamagata Prefecture of the Tohoku region and has been loved since long ago.
A gentle confectionery made with milk.
Recently, this product is gaining popularity as a portable food for hiking and mountain climbing.
A souvenir that the harsh Mr. Daigo gave 5 stars to!
daigo： Although the name says it is a cake, the hardness is its characteristic. It is simple and delicious.
Level of recommendation ：★★★★★
Click here if you want to try Oshidori Milk Cake!
Membei
Reference price: 8 bags ¥260 Shipping fee not included
Expiration date: 180 days
Membei, a specialty of Fukuoka Prefecture, is a unique confectionery that takes advantage of the flavor of Karashi Mentaiko (spicy pollock roe).
Karashi Mentaiko, a specialty of this region, is a fish roe with a characteristic spiciness. It is widely loved both in Japan and abroad.
Membei locks the taste of mentaiko in a crispy rice cracker.
It can truly be considered as a souvenir that represents Fukuoka.
shun： I always buy one for myself when I go to Fukuoka. It is perfect for handing out because it is lightweight and comes in small packages. It also has a considerable shelf life. It is great because it has a variety of flavors.
Level of recommendation ：★★★★★
Click here to order Membei!
Please tell us your recommendations for Japanese souvenirs ♪
How many souvenirs do you know?
Seems like the evaluations and comments of Payke employees may lead to some controversy.
If you have any Japanese souvenirs you would recommend, do write them in the comments section. We look forward to hearing various comments from people from different countries and regions!