Can’t get to Japan? Get tasty treats in an authentic Japanese snack box sent to you.
I’ve been having a lot of fun trying Japanese snack subscription boxes in the past few months. Actually, our whole family has had a blast with this, as we’ve tried boxes from a bunch of different companies including TokyoTreat, Japan Candy box, Sakuraco, and even ZenPop.
Curious how Bokksu compares to the competition? Check out our comparison of all the Japanese snack boxes.
Like a few of the candies in this package, I’m bursting to share my honest thoughts about Bokksu’s authentic Japanese sweets, teas and housewares by local makers in this detailed Bokksu review.
Can’t wait any longer? Order your Bokksu box now.
Why try a Japanese Subscription box?
Ordering a Japanese subscription box is an easy, fun way to explore the culture of Japan without an expensive plane ticket. Sure, it’s not quite the same as going on a culinary tour on the streets of Tokyo, or visiting Japan with kids in person, but for the price difference and the convenience, a Japanese snack box definitely works for our family.
You may be wondering if Bokksu is any different than any other Japanese snack box out there.
It’s true that there are plenty of other Japanese snack boxes delivering snacks like chips and chocolate internationally. However, when you travel in Japan, fresh, artisan snacks served by street vendors are the norm. Unfortunately, getting these unique, artisan treats made by local vendors has been difficult to get outside of Japan.
If you’re wondering how Bokksu differs from TokyoTreat and other competitors, my honest review is about to break it down for your. Keep reading for more!
This review wasn’t sponsored by Bokksu; I paid for this Bokksu box with my own hard earned money. This post does contain affiliate links: I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
My Personal Bokksu Review: What is Bokksu?
Bokksu snack boxes are designed to showcase Japanese culture and bolster small, family-operated enterprises in Japan. They get their artisanal snacks directly from local Japanese snack producers, focusing on authentic rather than mass-produced items.
Each Bokksu box is a treasure trove of 22 Japanese delights, including snacks, candies, and tea. In every box, you’ll find an array of goodies ranging from ramen to mochi to senbei and cakes, blending both sweet and savory flavors. There’s also a new tea pairing each month, a comprehensive 24-page guide, and exclusive treats crafted by local artisans specifically for Bokksu.
The themes of Bokksu Japanese snack boxes varies monthly, focusing on elements unique to Japan such as regional holidays, vibrant festivals, and the distinct character of various prefectures. Our box was on the theme of seasons of Japan, but past boxes have included everything from cherry blossoms in Japan to sunny Okinawa to summer fruits and tropical travels.
Who are Bokksu boxes for?
These snack boxes are for people who are interested in exploring Japanese culture through its cuisine. If you’ve personally visited Japan or toured Japan by train, it’s a real treat to get these authentic treats outside of Japan.
If you’ve never visited Japan before, a Bokksu box can be a great way to close the divide until you get to visit in person.
Additionally, a Bokksu gift box can be a thoughtful gift for those who appreciate unique and international flavors, or for anyone who has experienced Japan and wishes to reminisce about their journey. The monthly subscription, with its changing themes related to Japanese holidays, festivals, and regional specialties, also appeals to those who enjoy the surprise and discovery of subscription boxes, offering a balanced glimpse into Japan’s snack culture.
Bokksu price
As a subscription service, you’ll get a Bokksu box delivered as long as your subscription is active.
You pay for the box a month in advance for the following month’s box. For example, to get the January box, you need to subscribe by the the end of December.
You can choose a 12 month, 6 month, 3 month, or monthly Bokksu subscription. Prices get more affordable the longer you subscribe.
Here are the costs (in USD):
- 12 months for $39.99/month
- 6 months for $43.99/month
- 3 months for $45.99/month
- 1 month for $49.99/month
Shipping is free for Bokksu snack subscriptions to most countries, with some exceptions.
There are additional fees for shipping to Puerto Rico, Malta, Bahrain, the UAE, India, Cambodia, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Brazil, Chile, and Peru. See their shipping page for exact prices for each of these areas.
Bokksu promo code / coupon code
Bokksu is one of those rare companies that actually lists some of the best promo codes and coupon codes on their own website.
Deals vary by time of year, but there are generally one or two discounts on this page:
Once you get your first box, you can sign up for the Bokksu refer-a-friend program. With their refer a friend, you get $15 in points for each successful referral, and your friends get $15 off their first order of $40.
Where does Bokksu ship?
As of November 2023, Bokksu ships to 69 countries, including the USA, Australia, Canada, Mexico, most of Asia, South America, Europe plus the UK as well as others.
Bokksu delivery time – Is Bokksu reliable?
Our Bokksu crate arrived exactly on time. In fact, I ordered on June 14th, and we got our Bokksu box on June 21st, which I thought was really impressive!
Based on our order, I’d have to say they’re quite reliable.
I especially loved that my Bokksu box came carefully wrapped in protective bubble wrap.
First Impressions of Bokksu Snack Box
If you’re used to TokyoTreat boxes, the first thing that you’ll notice is that Bokksu’s box is about two thirds of the size of TokyoTreat.
The Bokksu box is jam packed with treats and goodies, packed carefully to the brim.
The packaging is quite pretty, with a gold foil seal holding the box together, and subdued colors. The Bokksu team has definitely spent some time carefully designing the look and feel of the box to give a high end impression.
When opening the box, the first thing I saw was the printed snack guide. With 24 full color pages, the guide was full of information on the snacks, and artisans who made them, as well as Japanese culture.
Since we have vegetarians in our family, we really appreciated the nutritional and allergen information in the guide. The guide lists common allergens for each snack, as well as whether or not each snack is vegetarian.
Now let’s get to the fun part – the Bokksu tasting!
As I mentioned earlier, each Bokksu box has a specific theme. The theme for this box is Seasons of Japan.
My favorite thing in the box was the white chocolate infused strawberry. These are strawberries grown locally in Japan, which are then freeze dried and infused with white chocolate. I’ve honestly never tasted anything quite like them, and I’d rate them a 10 out of 10.
The one bite Sesame Mochi were a huge hit too! These were a lot of fun to eat, and soft and squishy to the touch.
They’re little bite-sized mochi with either black or white sesame seeds on the outside. On the inside, there’s a tasty anko red bean filling.
One of my daughter’s favorites in the box was the Matcha Stick Cake with chocolate. It’s a soft cake with matcha from Uji, Kyoto, which is paired with quality bittersweet chocolate chips.
I’m a fan of all things that are crispy and salty. The Iburigakko Smokey Chips are flavored with smoked pickle radish (iburigakko) from the Akita Prefecture. The flavor is paired with Sanshin potato chips made with rice flour. So good!
I also really liked the Tsukisamu Anpan Chocolate cookie, which is a chocolate cookie filled with bean paste. It’s soft, with a rich chocolate interior. It’s great with hot tea!
The Yokahama butter sandwich cookie was also a favorite. These are so cute, as they’re stamped with vignettes of the city of Yokohama. They’re a popular gift for Yokohama tourists. So cute!
Your preferences may be different than mine, but I really enjoyed all of the Bokksu treats I tried. I now have a few treats that I definitely want to keep an eye out for on my next trip to Japan!
Is Bokksu Worth It?
What did I think of this box? Read on for my list of Bokksu pros and cons.
What I liked about my Bokksu snack box
In my honest opinion, I had high expectations for this box. Bokksu markets itself as exclusive and high end, and in my opinion, it definitely delivered.
I loved that the booklet included allergen information, and listed whether each snack was vegetarian or not. With three of the four of our family vegetarians, this was really helpful!
Each snack was beautifully packaged, and I found all of the snacks to be high quality.
What I didn’t like about my Bokksu snack box
The Bokksu box is made of high end, artisanal snacks. This means that some of the snacks are fairly small. For example, my box came with two of those tasty white chocolate infused strawberries, but I definitely could have used more!
Final thoughts on Bokksu Japanese snack box
While more of something good is always better, I found that there was a great variety of snacks in the Bokksu box and 22 snacks in the box were plenty for our family of four! My family enjoyed them as much as I did so they’re definitely something we’ll try again in the future.
I hope you enjoy your Bokksu box as much as we did! Let me know what you think of trying Japanese snacks at home in the comments below!
If you found this helpful, check out our other reviews, or come see us on Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter.
Until next time! – Micki