Authentic and Affordable! Seven Must-Buy Japanese Sweets at Convenience Stores

1. Lawson Kuri Kinton Made with Chestnuts and Sugar

This wagashi with simple flavors is made of just chestnuts and sugar. The aroma of chestnuts really comes out, because there are no unnecessary ingredients. The soft and flaky texture of the chestnuts, and the bits of it that remain are fantastic. Kuri Kinton is a seasonal sweet that is said to have originated from Gifu Prefecture. They are sold at famous sweet shops and department stores as well, but have recently become more popular as authentic wagashi that can be purchased at convenience stores.
Price: 245 JPY (incl. tax)

2. Lawson Mame Daifuku (Tsubu-an)

This is a mame daifuku (mochi cake with beans) that’s made with high-quality ingredients that are worthy of famous wagashi shops, such as Kitaroman azuki beans from Hokkaido, Habutaeko (the finest mochi rice flour from Niigata), Yukishio salt from Okinawa, and domestic red peas. The chewy and soft mochi, the refined tsubu-an (chunky red bean paste) with a sharp sweetness, the saltiness that seems to come afterwards, and the texture of the domestic red peas combine to make a fabulous sweet. This is a sophisticated wagashi that is on par with those sold at specialty stores.
Price: 130 JPY (incl. tax)

3. 7-Eleven Fuwattoro Uji Matcha Tiramisu Warabi

This warabimochi (a jelly-like confection made from bracken starch, and covered or dipped in sweet toasted soybean flour) is so soft that you may think that it is actually a liquid! It is filled with smooth mascarpone cheese and cream cheese. The matcha (green tea) sauce in the middle lets off a gentle aroma, making it a highly sophisticated sweet. This fluffy, soft, and melty item is best eaten using the small spoon that comes with it.
Price: 120 JPY (incl. tax)

4. 7-Eleven Kuromitsu Kinako Pancake Dora

This is a dorayaki (red bean pancake sandwich) that consists of kinako (sweet toasted soybean flour) whipped cream, shiratama (mochi balls), and brown sugar syrup sandwiched in-between chewy pancakes. It is an item that looks so great that you can\'t help but pick it up when you see it on the shelf! The syrup brings the Western-style whipped cream and pancakes together with the shiratama, creating an item with a surprisingly light sweetness. The Japanese ingredients are the star of this dorayaki, which also incorporates Western flavors with the whipped cream and pancakes. Be sure to give it a try!
Price: 190 JPY (incl. tax)

5. FamilyMart Mini Yokan Neri

This yokan is made with koshi-an (smooth red bean paste), which is why it has a rich aroma of red beans. Yokan is a wagashi made by adding sugar and agar to red beans, and then simmering it while mixing it. Yokan Neri is a type of yokan that has a firmer texture due to the larger proportion of agar in it. The Mini Yokan Neri is bite-sized, and may look small, but the sweet azuki beans and firm texture make it a satisfying snack.
Price: 64 JPY (incl. tax)

6. FamilyMart Dorayaki

This wagashi is made with tsubu-an – a type of red bean paste that is made without smashing the beans – so you can enjoy the flavors of whole azuki beans. The dorayaki made by sandwiching a generous portion of tsubu-an in-between moist and fluffy pancakes are quite satisfying. It has been continuously sold since it was first released in 2012, making it a long-seller in the convenience store sweets market, where products are constantly coming and going.
Price: 108 JPY (inc. tax)

7. Daily Yamazaki Kokuto Manju

This is a manju (steamed bun with filling) that’s made with carefully selected ingredients and stuffed generously with homemade red bean paste. When you pick it up, you may think that it is heavier than it looks. The outer layer is moist, and goes well with the voluminous smooth sweet bean paste, giving the whole manju a smooth texture. It is a basic, unassuming manju that will let you enjoy its simple flavors.
Price: 84 JPY (incl. tax)

Convenience store sweets, which can be purchased in any quantity at any time, have many fans. New products are released almost every week! Enjoy them as snacks while on the road or to accompany your tea break.