14 souvenirs you can only buy in Hokkaido. From Hokkaido staples to the hottest items only known to a few!

*Prices include tax.
*Prices and sales status are current as of January 2024.

A winter-only treat! "Snow Sand" is a fresh chocolate sandwich made with the finest milk.

Snow Sandwich, the signature product of SNOWS, a winter-only sweets brand from Hokkaido, is made with plenty of high-fat, rich-tasting winter pasture-raised milk, making it a rare treat that is only available in stores from November to April. The outer langue de chat is made using a unique sandwich-baking method that gives it a crunchy texture. The raw chocolate in between is soft enough to melt in your mouth, and the two textures create an exquisite harmony. The black version has a strong cacao aroma, while the white version allows you to fully enjoy the flavor of milk. The regular packaging of Snow Sandwich is also very cute, but if you're going to try it, we recommend the New Chitose Airport limited edition packaging.

Available at SNOWS JAL PLAZA New Chitose Airport departure lobby store, etc.

Limited edition "Potato Chips" from a popular sweets brand

Rokkatei is famous for its classic Hokkaido souvenir, the "Marusei Butter Sandwich," but did you know that they also have potato chips that are only sold in stores? The packaging features Rokkatei's signature floral wrapping paper, and at first glance you wouldn't even know they were potato chips. They are a little thicker than regular potato chips, and the surface is cut into a jagged edge. The only ingredients are potatoes, rice oil, and salt. It's simple, but you can really taste the potato flavor. This product is only available at a limited number of stores, such as the Obihiro and Sapporo flagship stores, so it's definitely a must-have item if you visit Hokkaido.

Available at Rokkatei Obihiro Main Branch, Sapporo Main Branch, etc.

"Bean-to-bar chocolate" from Sapporo, made with carefully selected ingredients from Hokkaido

SATURDAYS CHOCOLATE is a bean-to-bar chocolate shop based in Sapporo that produces chocolate from cacao beans. The shop's unique chocolates are made by combining carefully selected cacao beans from around the world with ingredients from Hokkaido.
The "Almond & Hokkaido Salt" on the left in the photo is a chocolate made with Ghanaian cocoa beans, which have a good balance of sourness and bitterness, and with the addition of "Manyo no Uta Salt" extracted from deep seawater in Yakumo Town, Hokkaido, and crushed almonds. The subtle saltiness and the crunchy texture of the almonds are addictive.
"Hokkaido Milk Togo 55" on the right of the photo is made with cocoa from Togo and Hokkaido milk powder. It is a milk chocolate for adults that has a deep cocoa aroma and a strong milk flavor.
Not only are the flavors amazing, but the cute, colorful packaging makes choosing an item exciting. You can even sample the chocolates in the store, so be sure to find your favorite!

Available at SATURDAYS main store, Stella Place store, etc.

For those who love cooking. Convenient "Shredded Bistro Konbu"

Junya Okayama, a kelp fisherman from Todohokke, east of Hakodate, Hokkaido, runs "Shredded Bistro Konbu." The shop is made using only the new shoots of ma konbu, which can only be harvested in spring, less than half the usual growing season, making it soft and easy to eat. Konbu is often used as a soup stock, but this can also be used as an ingredient in cooking. The shop's website also introduces recommended recipes, and the konbu can be used in a wide range of dishes, both Japanese and Western, such as salads, sashimi, and pasta.
Since it comes in a sheet form, you can conveniently cut off just the amount you need. It also comes in a bag, making it a great souvenir for those who love cooking, and a great item to buy for yourself too.

Available for purchase at Hakodate Airport, Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza Sapporo store, etc.

More than 100 years since its release. "Daisho Ame" is loved by people of all generations

"Daisho Ame" with its striking retro packaging was released in 1915 to commemorate the Daishosai ceremony of Emperor Taisho. For Hokkaido residents, it is a "nostalgic taste that their grandparents loved." Made from malt syrup, sugar, and black sesame, the candy is shaped like a stick and slowly softens in the mouth. The simple, gentle sweetness that soothes the soul may bring back memories for people from outside Hokkaido. It is only sold in winter, from November to February every year.

Available for purchase at supermarkets and shops

Extremely popular! The long-selling carbonated drink "Ribbon Napolin"

Since its release in 1911, Ribbon Napolin is a local carbonated drink that has been loved by people of all ages in Hokkaido. Made with Hokkaido beet sugar and pure water, it is characterized by its strong sweetness and refreshing taste. The color is derived from paprika, a plant-based pigment. It is said that when it was first released, it was made with blood orange, a citrus fruit representative of the Mediterranean, and was named "Napolin" after Naples, Italy, a city representative of the Mediterranean. For Hokkaido residents, it is a taste that is always close by, such as a childhood snack or on the way home from school club activities.

Available for purchase at supermarkets, convenience stores, New Chitose Airport, etc.

Maruchan Yakisoba Bento is a staple cup noodle dish for Hokkaido residents.

For Hokkaido residents, Maruchan Yakisoba Bento is about the cup of yakisoba. It features thin, curly noodles and a slightly sweet sauce that you never tire of. The crunch of the cabbage and minced chicken adds an accent to this well-balanced dish. The key to making the included Chinese soup is to use the water you drained from the boiling water! Sprinkle some green seaweed and pickled ginger on the noodles to finish. There are many variations, such as "Sapporo spicy miso ramen flavor" and "green onion salt flavor," so it's worth trying the whole lineup.

Available for purchase at supermarkets and convenience stores

Originating from Sapporo: The nostalgic savory bread "Chikuwa bread"

"Chikuwa Bread" is sold by Seico Mart, a local convenience store in Hokkaido. At first glance, it seems like a unique item, with fluffy bread stuffed with chikuwa stuffed with tuna salad. However, this chikuwa bread is said to have originated in Sapporo, and is a very familiar side dish for Hokkaido residents. As soon as you open the bag, the aroma of chikuwa and tuna fills the air, and the filling is filling, giving it a satisfying taste. It's also recommended for when you feel a bit hungry on the flight back home.

Available at Seicomart stores in Hokkaido

Simple yet deep flavor "Soy Sauce Ramen"

Another popular instant noodle in Hokkaido is Maruchan Shoyu Ramen. It was released in 1968, and its retro-style packaging makes it a popular souvenir. The liquid soup that comes with it is centered around the delicious flavors of chicken and pork. It has a simple yet deep flavor, and also comes with powdered spices. The refreshing soy sauce flavor and chewy noodles will make you feel nostalgic. Miso Ramen and Salt Ramen are also sold exclusively in Hokkaido, so be sure to try the flavors that interest you.

Available for purchase at supermarkets and convenience stores

A bottle for every household! Hokkaido's all-purpose soup "Menmi"

When you think of "mentsuyu" in Hokkaido, this is it. Kikkoman's "Menmi" is a must-have in any kitchen. It is a well-balanced bottle of five types of dashi stock - bonito, dried sardines, kelp, mackerel, and scallops - with soy sauce and mirin. It is five times concentrated, so it can be used for a wide range of purposes, from noodles to stews, rice bowls, hot pots, and oden, and you can easily recreate the taste of Hokkaido's cuisine. Local seasonings are also attracting attention as souvenirs from travelers these days, so why not buy one for someone who loves to cook?

Available for purchase at supermarkets and convenience stores

"Corn Chocolate" with its light texture and white chocolate

"Corn Chocolate" is golden ripe corn coated in white chocolate. It has a light, crunchy texture and a gentle sweetness, and has won the highest gold award at the Monde Selection for five consecutive years. There are a wide variety of flavors, including "Cheese," "Yubari Melon," "Maple," "Premium," and "High Milk," so why not try a variety of different flavors? They are individually wrapped, making them perfect as souvenirs to take to the office. Enjoy a fun tea time while sharing stories about your travels.

Available for purchase at airports and souvenir shops in Hokkaido

Kameda Kakinotane Hokkaido Cheese: An addictive cheese flavor

Did you know that Kameda Kaki-no-tane, the irresistible snacks, also has a Hokkaido-only product? Kameda Kaki-no-tane Hokkaido Cheese is made by adding Hokkaido cheese powder to salty kaki-no-tane, and with each bite, the rich flavor and aroma of cheese fills your mouth. When eaten with peanuts, the flavor becomes even richer, making it an addictive treat. It's great as a snack, and also pairs well with beer and wine, so it's recommended as an appetizer.

Available for purchase at tourist souvenir shops

"Potato Road - Scallop and Kelp Delicious Flavor" is packed with Calbee's passion and commitment

Calbee's new Hokkaido-exclusive brand "Potato Road Scallop and Konbu Salt Flavor" was launched in October 2022. This new product was developed for the people of Hokkaido, who have a deep connection with potato production, and the carefully made chips are made from Hokkaido potatoes and are thickly crinkle-cut. The crunchy texture is filled with the natural deliciousness of the potatoes, the umami of the scallops, konbu, and salt, and it has a very rich taste. As it is a new release, it is still a product that only a few people know about, so if you buy it as a souvenir, you will be surprised.
*Sales will end in late May 2024

Available at some supermarkets and convenience stores

The best time to eat it is after 2 hours. "Yukikon Cheese" is an exquisite sweet that can only be found in Hokkaido.

We will also introduce souvenir sweets that are not for taking home, but can only be enjoyed while in Hokkaido. Rokkatei's "Yukikon Cheese" is a baked cheesecake sandwiched between cocoa biscuits called "Yukiyakonko", and is a rare item that is best eaten (best before) within 2 hours. The cheesecake is sandwiched after an order is placed and has a refreshing sour taste. The bitter biscuit and cool cheesecake create an exquisite harmony. Why not try it as a souvenir to take back to your hotel and enjoy?

Available at Rokkatei directly managed stores (excluding Nishisanjo store and Garden store)

The souvenirs introduced in this article are mainly those that use ingredients from Hokkaido, are made in Hokkaido factories, and are long-loved local products. We have a lineup of souvenirs that can be easily purchased at supermarkets, convenience stores, and confectionery shops. Great for yourself or as a gift for someone else. Find your favorite and enjoy the feeling of being a Hokkaido native.

First posted: November 22, 2022
*Some content was updated on January 26, 2024.

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