If you are traveling in Japan with kids, or you’re just a kid at heart, Japanese educational candy kits (called chiiku-gashi in Japanese) are a must-try! They’re more than just sweets — they’re DIY candy-making sets that combine learning and fun. With colorful ingredients, cute molds, and sometimes even fizzing reactions, these kits let you make gummies, sushi, burgers, ramen, and even donuts — all from candy!
Whether you find them at Don Quijote, drugstores, or convenience stores, they’re an affordable, interactive souvenir that kids LOVE.
Why Are Japanese Candy Kits (Popin’ Cookin) so popular?
These are some reasons why educational candy kits are so popular in Japan:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Cute & Creative | Make candy sushi, bento boxes, burgers… it’s like edible art! |
| STEM Meets Snacks | Some kits use powders and water to create real chemical reactions. Fun science! |
| Family-Friendly Fun | Perfect for parents and kids to enjoy together in your hotel or Airbnb. |
| Great Souvenir | Lightweight, affordable, and so Japanese. Everyone back home will want to try them! |
Tip: Look for these kits at Don Quijote, Loft, or any large supermarket. Some airports even sell them!
We tried a Japanese Candy Kit, Kracie’s Oekaki Gummi Land
Kracie (Japanese site opens) produces many “educational candy kits” because they combine the fun of making with the joy of eating, making them stand out in the candy market. Parents like them because they feel more purposeful than ordinary sweets, and they’ve gained global attention through social media as “Crazy Japanese Candy Kits.”
And it makes a perfect souvenir — it costs only around 200 yen, weighs just 27g, and can be kept for about a year if stored properly.
This kit lets you make your own gummy candies — it includes gummy powder, three colorings, a dropper, a mixing plate, and plastic molds. Even a three-year-old can use it and easily understand how it works just by looking. The instructions are in Japanese, but I’m sure anyone can figure them out intuitively.
My kids were obsessed with the kit and played with it for more than an hour! They were amazed when the liquids changed color as they were mixed, and they had fun choosing which mold to use next. Of course, they also enjoyed eating the gummies! My five-year-old son usually doesn’t enjoy sweet treats, but he was happy to taste these gummies—and asked me to buy another kit as soon as they finished playing. Highly recommended!
Final Thoughts on Japanese Candy Kits
If you’re visiting Japan with children — or if you’re a fan of Japanese culture, kawaii things, or DIY toys — educational candy kits are a perfect little adventure.
They’re sweet, silly, surprising, and 100% fun. Try one, and bring a few home. You’ll be the coolest gift-giver on the block!
If you are looking for other souvenirs for kids, check out this page for some unique ideas!
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