The other day, I took three German colleagues visiting Japan souvenir shopping. The department store near us had matcha sweets, but they were not exciting enough. So, I took them to Okashi no Machioka, a discount snack store, and their eyes lit up. The matcha section was huge, and they happily filled their baskets with matcha snacks.
I live in Japan, so here’s a beginner’s guide to six matcha snacks I actually tried, sorted by what they’re best for.
A quick note before you read
None of these are very bitter. If you don’t like strong green tea, you’ll still be fine. But if you want the real matcha experience, including its bitterness and aroma, the snacks won’t quite get you there. Matcha powder is the way to go, and I cover it at the end of this post.
Best for gifts to your family, friends, and colleagues
Nestle Kit Kat Rich Matcha – Reference price: ¥400+tax (November, 2026)
Even with “rich matcha” on the label, it’s hard to taste any bitterness. It’s sweet, but not cloying. If you can’t decide, this is the safest choice.
Meiji Matcha Chocolate (26 pieces) – Reference price: ¥438+tax (November, 2026)
No bitterness, but you can still taste the matcha. It’s sweet, but the pieces are small, so it never feels like too much.
Kanro Kin no Milk Matcha Latte (candy) – Reference price: ¥218+tax (November, 2026)
This is a milk matcha candy. There’s no bitterness, the matcha flavor comes through, and it’s sweet without being cloying. Each piece is individually wrapped, so it’s easy to hand out, and it holds up better than chocolate when it’s warm.
LOTTE Sasha MESHED CHOCOLATE Matcha – Reference price: ¥319+tax (November, 2026)
Sweet, with a fairly mild matcha flavor, so it won’t satisfy hardcore matcha fans. The unusual structure makes it fun to eat.
Excerpt from the package: “SASHA”, a Japanese chocolate with a beautiful appearance created from numerous lines layered together gently, delivers to you a great taste coming along with crispness.
Best for snacking
Yuraku Nou-Matcha Thunder (thick-matcha chocolate snack) – Reference price: ¥80+tax (November, 2026)
Despite the name, there’s no bitterness. It’s sweet, but not overly so. It has a matcha chocolate layer and a regular chocolate layer, with crunchy puffs inside. The crispy texture is the best part.
Otsuka Seiyaku SOYJOY MATCHA & YUZU – Reference price: ¥118+tax (November, 2026)
This is a soy-based snack bar, not a chocolate treat. Both bitterness and sweetness are mild, and the yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit) gives it a fresh finish. The package says it’s low-GI, so it keeps you full for a while, and it’s a relatively healthy choice.
Where to buy matcha snacks in Japan
In my experience, supermarkets and snack stores like Okashi no Machioka have a wider selection than airports or tourist gift shops. Even drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Welcia carry several options.
Want the real matcha taste? Try the powder
These snacks can be great introductions, but they’re sweet and mild. If you want the real matcha experience, nothing beats the real thing. Whisk a little matcha powder with hot water, or mix it into milk for a latte.
Final thoughts
Matcha souvenirs from airports and gift shops are wonderful too, but in this post I wanted to share snacks that are both tasty and affordable. I’ve given them to friends and colleagues from overseas, and they were delighted, so I hope you’ll enjoy them as well.
Thanks for reading!