13 Traditional Japanese Candies And Sweets You Can Buy On Amazon

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Traditional Japanese candy, also known as wagashi, is a world away from the chocolate bars and gummy bears lining grocery store shelves in the U.S. There are so many traditional Japanese candies you should try, including chewy fruit candies, crispy rice crackers, creamy milk sweets, and matcha-flavored treats. Traditional Japanese desserts and Japanese sandwiches are different from what we're used to. These treats have unique flavors and beautifully designed packaging. Many have been popular in Japan for years, while others have gained a following all over the world through social media and snack subscription boxes.

The good news is you don't have to book a flight to Japan to try these amazing candies. Amazon carries an impressive selection of authentic Japanese candies, making it easy to sample everything from iconic classics to regional favorites without leaving home. You can try something new, and you may even become a lifelong fan of one or more of these selections. Even if you're just looking for a traditional Japanese sweet for the foodie in your life, this list is worth a look.

Manju is a type of "fresh sweet," also known as namagashi. This package comes with 18 individually wrapped steamed cakes in five flavors: two chestnuts, two sweet red bean and white kidney beans, four milks, five sobas, and five matchas. They pair well with coffee or tea.

Purchase the Manju Steamed Cake with Five Flavors for $8.47.

These sweets are a type of traditional Japanese treat called yokan, or red bean candy with a gelatin-like consistency made with red bean paste, water, sugar, and agar. This package comes with 10 pieces in a beautiful wrapped box, making it perfect for giving as a gift. There are two of each flavor, but the brand doesn't specify what they are.

Purchase the Toraya Youkan Anko Japanese Traditional Sweets for $47.62.

Dango is a chewy type of wagashi made with rice flour formed into soft balls. While they're usually placed on skewers, these aren't. These dango have a sweet, savory soy glaze best enjoyed as a snack or dessert. They must be frozen or refrigerated, and the brand recommends you eat them within seven days of thawing.

Purchase the Mitarashi Dango Sweet Rice Cake Mochi for $8.49. 

Daifuku is a type of soft, chewy sweet treat made with rice flour, red beans, and sugar. These round mochi balls have a sweet, jam-like filling. The package only comes with eight pieces, so you may want to pick up more for yourself, especially if you plan on sharing.

Purchase the Daifuku Mochi Japanese White Rice Cake for $8.40.

These are just like the previous daifuku, but strawberry flavored. These are also more expensive, but still only come with eight pieces in a package. Grab more than one to enjoy or share with others.

Purchase the Fruits Mochi Daifuku Ichigo for $14.99.

This soft, light, bouncy cake is a traditional Japanese treat known as kasutera that originated in Spain. Like many other sweets on this list, it pairs well with tea or coffee. You may want to buy more than one if you're buying this as a gift or to share.

Purchase the Japanese Style Castella Sponge Cake for $14.99.

Dorayaki is a sweet treat with two pancake-like pieces on the outside and a sweet red bean paste inside. You can find some dorayaki with different fillings, such as green tea cream, whipped cream, or even custard cream. This pancake treat is filled with the traditional red bean paste, but there's also a matcha option. Each treat is individually wrapped, and there are eight in the package.

Purchase the Yamasan Kyoto Uji Dorayaki Mini Red Bean Pancake Wagashi for $16.34.

Monaka is a traditional Japanese snack with a red bean paste filling sandwiched between crispy cracker-like treats. You can also find them with fillings such as white bean paste and matcha bean paste. This particular treat has the traditional red bean paste with 100% Hokkaido azuki beans, a type of red bean. It comes with eight cute individually wrapped pieces, perfect for a gift, sharing, or enjoying alone.

Purchase the Kotobuki Hokkaido Tsubutsubu Azuki Monaka Japanese Traditional Sweets for $37.79.

Karinto is a crunchy, sweet, unique-looking treat made by frying dough and covering it in brown or white sugar. This one is made with wheat flour and brown sugar. It comes with three packages for a total of 11.61 ounces, making it perfect for sharing with friends (or not).

Purchase the Hachimitsu Kuromitsu Tokyo Karinto for $27.49.

These crispy rice cracker treats are covered in a sugar glaze, but there are two other savory options for this traditional snack: seaweed and teriyaki. This is one you can share with friends since it comes with five packages of 5.3 ounces each. These sweet and salty treats are super satisfying.

Purchase the Want Want Big Shelly Senbei Snowy Crispy Rice Cracker Biscuits for $22.99.

These brightly colored hard candies, called konpeito, are made by slowly and carefully mixing granulated sugar and sugar syrup to create the unique shape, which sort of resembles stars. They're traditionally made with just sugar, but some sellers add flavors, such as yuzu or matcha. The bright colors come from food coloring.

Purchase the Konpeito Japanese Star Candy for $9.99.

Sakura mochi is a traditional Japanese rice cake made with a red bean paste filling with a cherry blossom flavor. People often enjoy them on Girl's Day in Japan because of the beautiful pink color.  While they're traditionally covered with a pickled cherry blossom leaf, these aren't. Instead, they come in a bright pink bag decorated with cherry blossoms, and they do contain cherry leaf powder. Each piece is individually wrapped. Enjoy with a cup of tea, matcha, or coffee.

Purchase the Sakura Mochi Premium Traditional Japanese Rice Cakes for $8.25.

Didn't get enough dango? I got you — this one comes with two packages, one made with red bean paste (koshi-an) and one with three colors and flavors (sanshoku). Enjoy these chewy snacks with tea or coffee, and pick up more than one package to share with friends.

Purchase the Sanshoku Dango Japanese Sweet Rice Cake Combo Pack for $15.99.