When visiting Japan with kids, don’t miss the chance to step into a “Dagashi-ya” (Japanese traditional candy shop) — a hidden gem that offers fun, nostalgia, and a taste of Japan’s sweet history!
What is a Dagashi-ya?
A Dagashi-ya (駄菓子屋) is a small, often old-fashioned candy store filled with colorful snacks, toys, and candies — many of them under 100 yen! These shops were once the heart of every neighborhood, where children gathered after school with just a few coins to enjoy their favorite treats.
Imagine a place where your kids can pick out their own snacks for just 300 yen — it’s like a mini treasure hunt!
Why It’s Great for Families with Kids
- Budget-Friendly: Many items are 30–100 yen. Even with just ¥500, your child can enjoy a shopping spree.
- Interactive Experience: Let your kids choose snacks, try Japanese flavors, or play retro games.
- Cultural Learning: Dagashi-ya are a piece of Japanese history. Some have been around for over 50 years!
- Great Souvenirs: Snacks are small, lightweight, and unique — perfect to take home.
Planning a trip with kids? Japanese families do it too — and getting a passport for little ones is part of the adventure!
Here’s a Japanese article that shows how the process works in Japan.
👉 Check it out here (Japanese only).
An example of what you can buy with 300 yen at Dagashi-ya
Here is an example of what my four-year-old son got with a budget around 300yen.
a mini lollipop; 90yen
a coin-shaped chocolate; 20yen
two baseball-shaped chocolate; 16yen X 2
fruit candy; 5yen
a small bag of fried ramen snack; 35yen
a mini chocolate in a train-shaped box; 50yen
a lucky draw; 80yen – He wanted a Pokemon sticker, but he got a dinosaur-shaped eraser instead.
This is an image of what my daughter bought.
A mic-shaped snack with ramune (a type of Japanese fizzy candy that dissolves in your mouth, similar to sherbet tablets) inside; 100yen
A macaron cookie; 15yen
A bottle of peach flavor ramune; 30yen
Chocolate candies with colorful sugar coating in a key-shaped package; 30yen
A lipstick-shaped lollipop; 80yen
Pellet gum in a container; 40yen
An Umaibo （A popular Japanese snack – a puffed corn sticks with savory flavor); 15yen
A tube-shaped jelly; 40yen – When my daughter bought the jelly at the cashier, the staff gave her a pre-chilled one instead – how thoughtful!
All snacks and toys have prices clearly shown, so it is also a good chance for your kids to try addition, as well as managing budget to develop financial literacy.
Where to Find a Dagashi-ya?
If you are visiting Tokyo, I recommend the Dagashi-ya below:
After picking up some treats from a nostalgic dagashi-ya, why not take a stroll to a hidden shrine nearby?
👉 Discover Meguro Hikawa Shrine — a perfect spot to experience another side of Japanese tradition.
Don’t Forget to Take Photos!
The shelves full of colorful, quirky snacks make for great Instagram moments. Some stores even have retro game machines or Showa-era décor that will wow both kids and parents.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a family-friendly, low-cost, and culturally rich activity, visiting a dagashi-ya is a must. It’s more than just shopping — it’s a fun way to connect generations, both Japanese and foreign, young and old.
Next time you’re in Japan, let your kids become little snack explorers in a dagashi-ya!
Looking for a interpreter or guide in Tokyo? I offer personalized support for families and travelers.
As a Tokyo-based mom of two with professional interpreting experience, I understand the needs of visitors—especially those traveling with children!
Contact me through the [inquiry form], and let’s make your trip smooth and enjoyable!
Traveling to Japan with kids?
Discover fun and meaningful experiences like visiting a dagashi-ya (traditional candy shop) – and learn more about educational travel in Japan with our recommended books on “tabi-iku.”
Perfect for parents who want to turn their trip into a learning journey.
Learn More About “Tabi-iku”: Educational Travel in Japan （Japanese Only)
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