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Are you a lover of Japanese cookies? Or have you ever wondered which Japanese cookie is actually the best? With so many brands, varieties, and flavors of cookies on the market, it can be difficult to know which cookie is actually good or which one to try first. Of course, there are famous cookies that make popular souvenirs, and popular cookies that seem to be loved across Japan. But are they actually good?
We wanted to put those questions to the test and learn for ourselves; what is the best Japanese cookie? In order to do this, we had the whole Japanese Taste team of 20 members try a plethora of Japanese cookies.
From cookies that can easily be found in grocery or convenience stores, to luxurious cookies that can sometimes only be found in particular regions in Japan, we tasted more than 50 different Japanese cookies. We tested each cookie in a blind taste test and rated them on factors such as quality, texture, aroma, and taste. We even had each member write their opinions anonymously in a survey for each cookie. In collecting this data, we came up with our uniquely curated list of the 15 Best Japanese Cookies.
Our list works a little bit differently than traditional ranking lists though. Instead of numerically listing the cookies, we noticed that each cookie naturally fell into its own unique category. We also felt that there is no one-size-fits-all to the best cookie, as everyone has their own taste preferences.
We hope that you’ll enjoy reading this article and find a Japanese cookie that you want to try for yourself! If you do find something you like, all of the cookies can be purchased from our website. Read on to discover some insanely yummy Japanese cookies.
How we decided
- QualityHow well-made the cookie is, including ingredients like Hokkaido butter, chocolate, or local fruits
- TextureHow the cookie feels when eaten, e.g., crunchy, soft, chewy, or melt-in-your-mouth
- Aroma & FlavorThe scent and taste experience, including unique flavors like matcha, sweet potato, apple, or rum-raisin
- Aesthetic & UniquenessAppearance, packaging, and originality, including souvenir appeal or fun shapes
1. Rokkatei Marusei Butter Sandwich Cookies
Starting off with the highest quality Japanese cookie – the Rokkatei Marusei Butter Sandwich Cookie. If you’re unfamiliar with this cookie, it is basically a sandwich cookie consisting of two rich, buttery cookies filled with luscious buttercream and raisins. It is nothing short of a luxurious cookie.
The cookie itself has a crunchy texture that manages to melt in your mouth when you take a bite. In fact, these cookies have become so popular in Japan that Rokkatei created a stand-alone version that can be purchased.
The buttercream filling of the cookie is rich without being overly sweet and has a light cinnamon flavor. The raisins not only add a bit of sweetness to the cookie, but also make it more texturally balanced while giving the cookie a rum-raisin vibe. Thus, creating the perfect indulgent snack!
This popular Japanese cookie is a popular omiyage or souvenir item from Hokkaido. It is made using dairy products local to Hokkaido, making it extra delicious. In fact, Hokkaido is quite well known in Japan for producing top-tier dairy products.
Even if you’re not a fan of raisins, we would still recommend trying this cookie at least once! We know that you’ll fall in love with this cookie once you experience the combination of rich buttercream, warm spices, rum raisin aroma, and the crunchy yet melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
Pros
- Rich buttery flavor
- Crunchy yet melts in mouth
- Balanced sweetness
Cons
- May be too rich for some
- Raisins may not appeal to everyone
2. Takara Seika Yokohama Butter Cream Sandwich Cookies
The Yokohama buttercream sandwich cookies from Takara Seika are not only delicious, but they are also quite aesthetically pleasing. Each cookie has a unique-to-Yokohama digitally printed image display of iconic sightseeing spots.
Yokohama, which is just south of Tokyo, is the second largest city in Japan. As it is a port city, it was one of the few Japanese cities that opened up to trade with the West during the mid-19th century. Because of this, the city naturally has a lot of foreign influence, both from the East and West. Therefore, you can enjoy sites that are both modern and historic, while feeling cultural Japanese and international vibes from the city.
Of course, the cookies themselves are quite tasty too. The cookies are light and crispy, and have a slight sprinkling of salt, making the buttercream filling extra tasty. The cookies and buttercream also have a natural buttery flavor without being overly sweet.
There are 19 variations of unique Yokohama scenery in total featured on these cookies, so you can have fun playing Yokohama site-seeing while enjoying a tasty treat.
Pros
- Beautifully decorated
- Light and crispy
- Subtle salt enhances buttercream
Cons
- Slightly more expensive
- May be too buttery or sweet for some
3. Ragueneau Yakkoi Sable Aomori Apple Soft Cookies
It’s no secret that apple-flavored baked goods have a naturally enticing aroma. These unique and soft Aomori Apple-flavored Sablé cookies are no exception! The moment you open these cookies from their packaging, you will be instantly greeted with a pleasant aroma of fresh apples and cinnamon.
These sablé are also unique in texture compared to most Japanese cookies, as they resemble soft, American-style cookies, a rarity in Japan. They are soft and chewy, making them extra delectable.
Containing real apple juice from Aomori apples (the apple capital of Japan), these cookies are definitely not lacking in authentic apple flavor. Paired with warm spices like cinnamon and a soft and chewy caramel-chocolate center, the combination of flavors is a match made in heaven. If you’re a fan of soft cookies or apple-flavored sweet treats, definitely give this one a go!
Pros
- Soft, chewy texture
- Strong apple-cinnamon aroma
- Uses real Aomori apple juice
Cons
- Quite sweet for light-flavor fans
- Soft texture may not suit crunchy-cookie lovers
4. Royce Baton Cookies Coconut and Hazelcacao
Textural experiences are definitely a key component in deciding what makes a great cookie. Royce’ Baton cookies not only come in two different flavors – Coconut and Hazelnut Cacao, but they also have the perfect textural balance.
A sweet, buttery cookie is coated on one side with luscious chocolate, and depending on the cookie, is sprinkled with bits of desiccated coconut or crunchy cacao nibs. When you take a bite of this cookie, you instantly experience a flavor explosion of the buttery cookie paired with chocolate, and notes of coconut or hazel nuts and cacao. The cookie is crunchy while the chocolate coating is soft and creamy.
If you’ve never heard of Royce’, they are a Japanese confectionery company based in Hokkaido, specializing in chocolate treats. Aside from their flagship Nama Choco product, they specialize in sweet treats containing high-quality chocolate. If you’d like to learn more about Royce’ be sure to check out our Best Japanese Chocolate Brands article.
Pros
- Perfect balance of crunchy cookies + soft chocolate
- High-quality chocolate
- Flavor explosion
Cons
- Chocolate coating may melt easily
- May be too rich or sweet for some
5. Ishiya Shiroi Koibito Cookies Dark & White Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Possibly one of the most popular souvenir choices in Japan are these Shiroi Koibito Langue de Chat cookies from Ishiya. These cookies have been a favorite among Japanese people for more than 40 years and are an iconic cookie from Hokkaido. In fact, these cookies have become so popular that one Japanese Taste customer even reported that they purchase these cookies every time they visit Japan.
These Shiroi Koibito cookies are light, crispy, and buttery and come filled with either white or dark chocolate. The cookie itself literally melts in your mouth the instant you take a bite and the sweet chocolate filling is so delicious that it is impossible to eat only one of these cookies. If you’re looking for the perfect Japanese souvenir, then be sure to add these cookies to your list.
If you’re looking for other Japanese souvenir ideas, then definitely check out our recommendations in our Best Japanese Souvenirs article.
Pros
- Iconic Hokkaido souvenir
- Light and crispy
- Melts in mouth
Cons
- Quite sweet for those who prefer mild flavors
- Fragile cookies can break easily in transit
6. Kawamichiya Soba Boro Japanese Buckwheat Cookies
While cookies may not be thought of as the most traditional Japanese sweet, there definitely are traditional Japanese cookies out there that you should not miss trying out. We recommend trying the Soba Boro cookies from Kawamichiya.
Soba Boro cookies are in fact traditional Japanese cookies made from buckwheat flour and have a biscotti-like texture. These historic confections are famous in Japan and are local to Kyoto.
Buckwheat flour has a natural nuttiness, which comes across clearly in the taste of the cookies. The cookies themselves are also not too sweet and are crunchy. They pair perfectly with a cup of hot green tea. They also come in cute plum blossom and round shapes, making them even more pleasant to enjoy. If you’re looking for a traditional Japanese cookie experience, then you must try these special soba boro cookies.
Pros
- Made with buckwheat flour
- Nutty flavor, lightly sweet
- Pairs well with tea
Cons
- Crunchy texture may be too hard for some
- Simple flavor
7. Fujiya Home Pie Japanese Old Fashioned Pie
We’re nominating Fujiya Home Pie as the most nostalgic Japanese cookie not only because it has been a best-selling snack in Japan since 1968, but also because it is so well-loved by both Japanese adults and children.
If you’re trying Home Pie for the first time, you may be slightly underwhelmed by its appearance. However, once you take that first bite, you’ll realize why this cookie is such a bestseller. Home Pie is a pie crust-like cookie that is loaded with real butter flavor. In fact, each cookie has approximately 700 layers of pastry! Texturally speaking, these cookies are also quite light and crispy.
Pros
- Light and crispy
- Buttery with ~700 layers
- Classic childhood snack
Cons
- Simple appearance
- May feel plain to some
8. Mr. Ito Languly Chocolate Cream Langue De Chat Cookies
Mr. Ito's langue de chat cookies are delicate Japanese treats inspired by French biscuits. Each crisp cookie melts in your mouth, revealing a smooth chocolate cream center. Individually wrapped for convenience, these elegant cookies are perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying with tea or coffee.
Combining European confectionery tradition with Japanese craftsmanship, Languly cookies offer a refined, sweet experience that highlights both texture and flavor in every bite.
Pros
- Light, crisp cookie
- Smooth chocolate cream cente
- Elegant flavor; Japanese-French-style biscuits
Cons
- Sweetness may be too strong for some
- Smaller pack size may not satisfy snackers
9. Tohato Chocobi Star Shaped Chocolate Corn Puff Snack + Shin-Chan Sticker 25g
Tohato Chocobi are light, crunchy, star-shaped chocolate corn puffs popular across Japan. Sweetened with condensed milk, they offer a rich, milky chocolate flavor in every bite. Each box includes a collectible Crayon Shin-Chan or Chocobi sticker, making snack time fun for kids and fans alike.
Perfect for sharing or enjoying alone, these calcium-enriched treats combine playful design with delicious taste in a convenient, pack-of-three set.
Pros
- Light, crunchy chocolate corn puff
- With milky sweetness
- Fun star-shaped design
Cons
- Sweet flavor may be too strong for some
- Small portion size per box
10. Itohkyuemon Uji Matcha Langue de Chat Cookies
When making an article all about Japanese cookies, it would be a sin to skip out on the best matcha cookie category. If you’re a fan of all things matcha, then you need to try the Matcha Langue de Chat Cookies from Itohkyuemon.
These matcha langue de chat cookies consist of a matcha-flavored white chocolate layer sandwiched between two freshly baked matcha cookies. The cookies are light and crunchy and pair perfectly with the white chocolate filling. Itohkyuemon has strived to make these cookies even more delicious by using only the highest quality matcha from Uji, which is the most famous place for producing matcha in Japan.
Whether you’re a matcha lover or are new to matcha sweets, we think you’ll love this cookie because the matcha flavor is quite present without being too overwhelming or bitter. The white chocolate also provides the cookie with a mellow sweetness.
These cookies come individually wrapped in cute and traditional packaging, making them the perfect authentic Japanese gift!
Pros
- High-quality Uji matcha
- Light and crunchy
- Balanced white chocolate
Cons
- Matcha flavor may not appeal to everyone
- Limited quantity per box
11. Meiji Pucca Chocolate Filled Crunchy Pretzel Snack 39g
Meiji Pucca Chocolate is a fun, crispy Japanese snack featuring pretzel shells filled with creamy milk chocolate. Shaped like various sea creatures, including squid, fish, and clams, these bite-sized treats are both cute and delicious. Each pack contains five individual boxes, making them perfect for sharing or snacking on the go.
The combination of crunchy pretzel and smooth chocolate offers a delightful texture and flavor experience loved by kids and adults alike.
Pros
- Cute shaped chocolate-filled pretzels
- Crispy shell with milk chocolate center
- Great for sharing
Cons
- Sweetness may be strong for some
- Small portion size per box
12. Sapporo Nogakko Agricultural College Hokkaido Milk Cookies
When it comes to choosing the best biscuit, it may be a bit tricky since the flavors and texture of biscuits are often times more similar than that of cookies. However, we can confidently say that these biscuits from Sapporo Nogakko Agricultural College are the best Japanese biscuits out there!
These biscuits are only made with the highest quality butter, flour, and fresh milk all from Hokkaido, which as you know, is the dairy capital of Japan. They also have a unique texture that is crunchy, light, and melt-in-your-mouth all at the same time. Of course, they are also not overly sweet, making them the perfect afternoon treat paired with a cup of hot coffee or milk tea.
If you want another reason why we nominate these as the best biscuit, these biscuits won the Monde Selection Gold Medal, an exclusive certification for high-quality food and drinks awarded in Belgium, for three consecutive years.
Pros
- Uses fresh Hokkaido butter and milk
- Light/crunchy/melt-in-mouth
- Not too sweet
Cons
- Subtle flavor may be too plain for some
- Fragile and can break easily during transport
13. Sugar Butter Sand Tree Cookies
These tasty and crispy cookies are made with a blend of different grains, including cereal, whole grains, and rye, and are filled with creamy white chocolate, making them quite a unique sandwich cookie and also a best-selling Japanese souvenir.
These cookies are not lacking in texture or flavor at all, as the cookies are coated in butter and sugar before being baked and sandwiched with a layer of white chocolate. They also contain browned butter, giving the cookies a wonderful nutty aroma. These are definitely a unique and delicious sandwich cookie that you can’t find outside of Japan!
Pros
- Unique grain blend
- Creamy white chocolate filling
- Nutty aroma from browned butter
Cons
- Sweet and rich to some
- Small portion size per pack
14. Nanpudo Yukishio Chinsuko Okinawan Shortbread Cookies
Of course every cookie ranking needs to include a shortbread cookie. If you’re looking for the best Japanese shortbread cookie, then look no further than the chinsuko cookie. Chinsuko cookies, or Okinawan Shortbread Cookies, have been made in Okinawa since the Ryukyu Kingdom. Besides being a cookie with a long history, these cookies are also delightfully sweet and crispy.
The main ingredient of chinsuko cookies is usually lard, which gives them their iconic crumbly texture. However, this version of chinsuko contains yukishio or snow salt, a special kind of salt from Miyakojima in Okinawa. Nanpudo chinsuko cookies also come in assorted flavors like matcha and chocolate, if you’re looking for a new flavor experience.
If you love snacks that are both sweet and salty or are looking for the best shortbread cookie out there, chinsuko is calling your name.
Pros
- Traditional Okinawan shortbread
- Sweet and salty, crispy
- Comes in assorted flavors
Cons
- Contains lard, which may not suit all diets
- Flavors may be unusual for some
15. Yoku Moku Cigare Japanese Cigare Cookies
Last but certainly not least is the most unique Japanese cookie, which is definitely the original Yoku Moku Cigare Cookie. While these rolled butter cookies may seem simple, once you take a bite and experience their luxurious, buttery flavor with slight vanilla aroma, you will realize just how unique they truly are.
The reason why these cookies come in a rolled-up cigare-like shape is because the cookie recipe contains plenty of raw milk butter from, you guessed it, Hokkaido. The amount of butter used in the cookie is so much that it cannot be baked into a cookie unless it is rolled up. In fact, these cookies contain so much butter that if any more butter was added to the recipe, it may not be a cookie anymore.
Pros
- Rolled butter cookies filled with chocolate
- Made with high-quality Hokkaido butter
- Individually wrapped in an elegant tin
Cons
- Fragile cookies can break easily
- Sweetness may be rich for some
Have you tried any of the cookies we listed? If not, which one do you want to try first? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. Also, let us know if there is any other category of snacks that you’d like us to review.
