A Taste of Nostalgic Japan: Dive into the World of Dagashi!
Dagashi are classic Japanese snacks that have delighted children for generations. The word “駄 (da)” means “cheap,” and true to the name, these treats are loved for being easy to buy even with pocket money.
You can find them in supermarkets today, but the real fun is at an old-fashioned dagashiya—small neighborhood candy shops filled with nostalgia. Recently, even adults have started visiting them again, eager to relive their childhood memories.
Shelves overflow with colorful snacks, candies stored in glass jars, and treats that come with prize tickets—it feels like going on a treasure hunt! Though the shops are small, they’re packed with retro charm and offer a glimpse into a uniquely Japanese slice of culture.
Why Dagashi Are So Loved
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Super affordable: Some cost as little as 10 yen, so you can try tons of different kinds.
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Endless flavors: From sweet chocolates and fizzy ramune candies to salty snacks, sour plum, and spicy bites.
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Playful designs: Some come with fortunes or prizes—win one, and you get another for free!
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Pure nostalgia: For many Japanese people, dagashi instantly bring back childhood memories.
Must-Try Dagashi
<Snacks>
Umaibō: Crunchy corn puff sticks with endless flavor options.
Butamen: Tiny cup noodles you can enjoy as a quick snack.
From Left
Yakisoba-ya-san Tarō: Savory fried noodle snacks with rich sauce flavor.
Potato Fry: Square-shaped potato snacks—crispy and addictive.
<Sweet Treats>
From Left
Puchi Puchi Uranai Choco: Mini chocolates with fortune-telling fun.
Kinako-bō: Soft chewy sweets coated with roasted soybean powder for a simple, nostalgic sweetness.
<Ramune Sweets>
From Left
Kuppy Ramune: Iconic candy with cute rabbit and squirrel packaging.
Orion Mini Cola: Tiny cola-flavored tablets in a mini can.
Cocoa Cigarette: Shaped like cigarettes, but really just sweet cocoa-flavored ramune candies!
<Savory Snacks>
From Left
Yocchan Ika: Tangy dried squid snack—great for both kids and adults.
Taratarashitenjaneeyo: Spicy fish jerky with a punchy flavor you won’t forget.
<Candies & Fun Sweets>
Bubble Gum: Fruity gum perfect for blowing bubbles.
From Left
Melon Soda Mochi: Soft, chewy mochi candy in bright green melon-soda flavor.
Nerunerunerune: Mix powder and water to create your own fluffy, foamy candy—half snack, half science experiment!
Mix, Stir, and It’s Ready!
Where to Enjoy Dagashi in Tokyo
You don’t have to go far to find the nostalgic fun of a dagashiya!
Dagashi Yume-ya (LaLaport Toyosu)
A modern revival of classic dagashi shops, full of old favorites.
1-Chome 1-Banchi (Ikebukuro Sunshine City)
A cozy retro-style shop in the basement of Sunshine City.
Haikara Yokocho (DECKS Tokyo Beach, Odaiba)
Located near Joypolis, this shop recreates the Showa-era vibe—perfect for photos and souvenirs.
Souvenir and Photo Fun!
Dagashi aren’t just for eating—the whole experience is part of the fun.
Their colorful packaging makes for great photos, and since they’re small and lightweight, they’re perfect as souvenirs too.
Hand them out to friends and they’ll love the “so Japanese!” vibe.
Try some dagashi between sightseeing stops, and you’ll get a little taste of everyday Japanese culture—with a dash of childhood adventure.