Seasonal Ichigo Snacks!

The other day, I went shopping and couldn’t resist all the seasonal ichigo (strawberry) snacks I found. In Japan, winter is strawberry season, and many snacks are released for a limited time to celebrate it. Let’s check out five ichigo treats I picked up!

Welcome to From Japan with Flavor! This is where I share unique Japanese foods, historical food culture, food trends, and whatever I’m currently exploring—all straight from Japan!

1. Apollo (アポロ)

Apollo is a classic strawberry-and-chocolate treat shaped like a small cone. With its cute look and smooth, creamy chocolate, it’s been loved for over 50 years. There’s even a photo of me as a kid eating Apollo!
Fun fact: its iconic shape was inspired by the Apollo spacecraft!

2. Pocky (ポッキー)

Pocky is a slim, crunchy biscuit stick coated with chocolate cream. This version features sweet and slightly tart strawberry chocolate. The light crunch and creamy strawberry flavor are so perfectly balanced!

3. DARS (ダース)

DARS is known for its smooth, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate.
Each box comes with 12 pieces, which makes it perfect for enjoying a little at a time.
The strawberry and raspberry edition has a gentle sweetness and a creamy texture that feels rich but not heavy.

4. Ghana (ガーナ)

Ghana is well known for its creamy milk chocolate. This strawberry edition adds a soft hint of strawberry to that signature milkiness. The chocolate melts smoothly in your mouth and feels just sweet enough, not too heavy. It’s perfect for a relaxing break with a cup of coffee or tea.

5. Takenoko no Sato (たけのこの里)

Takenoko no Sato combines a crunchy cookie base with a chocolate coating, shaped like tiny bamboo shoots. It was one of my favorite snacks as a child, and I still love it today. This strawberry version adds a fruity twist to the classic with sweet strawberry chocolate.

My Personal Favorite🍓

I tasted all five snacks to choose my personal favorite, and my number one pick is… Pocky! The crunch and lightly sweet strawberry cream are just perfect. I had to be careful not to eat them all at once and save some for my kids!

If you’re curious, watch the video below to see me open the packages and taste them all!