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.
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:
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!
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