A few disclaimers before I start this post:
| 1. This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Nestle or Kit Kats. 2. I really enjoy Kit Kats. :) 3. Photos complied by me (with exception for the ones from Nestle which they own), but original copyrights belong to Nestle. |
Kit Kats are popular lucky charms in Japan as the Katakana name sounds like you will win for sure
in Japanese so many students eat it for good luck before exams.
Kit Kats in America is generally found only in Milk Chocolate.
Once in a while, the local Asian grocery stores on Oahu stocks
Strawberry, Hazelnut, Matcha Green Tea, and sometimes even Dark Chocolate for grabs.
But in Japan, there's many regional varieties as exclusives.
For this experiment, you need at least one full carry-on suitcase (if not more),
and good old cash -- yes, Kit Kats aren't cheap.
Beginning of the trip
in Japanese so many students eat it for good luck before exams.
Kit Kats in America is generally found only in Milk Chocolate.
Once in a while, the local Asian grocery stores on Oahu stocks
Strawberry, Hazelnut, Matcha Green Tea, and sometimes even Dark Chocolate for grabs.
But in Japan, there's many regional varieties as exclusives.
For this experiment, you need at least one full carry-on suitcase (if not more),
and good old cash -- yes, Kit Kats aren't cheap.
Beginning of the trip
This is what ~$350+ USD worth of Kit Kats look like.
(Not that much right?)
(Not that much right?)
Surprisingly, that only filled the suitcase partially.
End of the trip
 I have no clue what the final YEN damage was. This is not entirely complete as there was a bunch of duplicates and ones mentioned towards the end of this post that was picked up at a different time. |
 | There are no words I can use to rationalize this behavior. (It's a thin line between dedication vs. obsession)? First of all, if you decide you want to seek out the many awesome flavors of Kit Kat in Japan, I suggest you set up a reasonable (realistic) budget as it definitely adds up-- fast. |
| PRICE REFERENCE
|
[Kit Kat Flavors found]
Hokkaido Melon |
北海道メロン
Airport Duty Free Exclusive
Comes in a box of 10 mini packages
(3 pieces per box)
Airport Duty Free Exclusive
Comes in a box of 10 mini packages
(3 pieces per box)
This is like eating that famous Melon Bar Ice Pop but in a convenient any time size and packaging.
Super delicious and made with Marscarpone Cheese. My top favorite!!
Rum Raisin (Tokyo) |
東京土産ラムレーズン
Very nice flavor. The rum flavor is definitely present minus the actual alcohol.
Another favorite.
Butter Cookie |
バタークッキー
[Optional]- You can roast the wafers yourself in the oven.
I found these in individual packs of 3's (~400 YEN each).
[Optional]- You can roast the wafers yourself in the oven.
I found these in individual packs of 3's (~400 YEN each).
If I read the directions correctly (hopefully), it recommends the candy to be roasted in a
1000 Watt toaster oven outside of the package on foil (3-4 pieces for 2 or 2 & 1/2 mins).
I just used the oven and broiled the top till browned. It works!
Though I think if you had a hand (flambe) torch that would work even better.
Once you roast it, it tastes heavenly and is perfect for holidays.
Creamy warm butter cookie on the bottom while the top is flaky and crunchy like a Creme Brulee.
1000 Watt toaster oven outside of the package on foil (3-4 pieces for 2 or 2 & 1/2 mins).
I just used the oven and broiled the top till browned. It works!
Though I think if you had a hand (flambe) torch that would work even better.
Once you roast it, it tastes heavenly and is perfect for holidays.
Creamy warm butter cookie on the bottom while the top is flaky and crunchy like a Creme Brulee.
Momiji Manju (Hiroshima) |
広島土産もみぢ饅頭
Comes in Mini Packs (of 3) AND large box of 12 pieces.
Comes in Mini Packs (of 3) AND large box of 12 pieces.
Such a lovely maple leaf design with nice red bean flavor.
Reminds me of the Japanese Red Azuki Bean soup (Zenzai).
Reminds me of the Japanese Red Azuki Bean soup (Zenzai).
Japanese Sake Flavor (Kyoto) |
京都 日本酒
Comes in 9 (shaped like a Sake bottle) or 12 pieces.
Can be found in Kyoto or Airports.
Comes in 9 (shaped like a Sake bottle) or 12 pieces.
Can be found in Kyoto or Airports.
*Real bottle of Sake not included in picture.*
The sake flavor is immediate both in smell and taste.
Truly amazing considering there's really no alcohol in this.
Truly amazing considering there's really no alcohol in this.
Beni Imo |
沖縄・九州土産 紅いも (限定)
I'm a bit confused on this one, it's supposed to be a purple potato but the Kanji for it is red (my name).
Regardless, it really does taste like sweet purple potato-- which can be good or bad depending on
how much you like the plant in the first place.
Houjicha (Kyoto) |
京都土産ほうじ茶
Good tea flavor. The roasted part is very obvious.
Shinshu Apple |
信州土産りんご
I think this flavor is supposed to represent the Nagano prefecture as Shinshu was the historic name of the area.
The apple scent is fragrant and strong and hits you as soon as you open the package.
It's sweet but contrasts nicely with the milk chocolate.
The apple scent is fragrant and strong and hits you as soon as you open the package.
It's sweet but contrasts nicely with the milk chocolate.
Kobe Pudding |
神戸プリン
You get the nice subtle sweetness of the pudding flavor, but its not overpowering.
Sakura Matcha |
桜抹茶
Airport Duty Free Exclusive
Comes in a box of 10 mini packages
(3 pieces per box)
Airport Duty Free Exclusive
Comes in a box of 10 mini packages
(3 pieces per box)
Matcha is the overall flavor profile of this Kit Kat, but the Sakura flavor hits you more toward the end.
Reminscient of eating Sakura Mochi (with the leaf on top).
Strawberry Cheesecake (Yokohama) |
横浜土産 ストロベリーチーズケーキ
Eating this brings me back to childhood. It tastes exactly like strawberry wafer sticks I ate
when I was a child, except this is way fancier with chocolate on top.
Azuki Red Bean Sandwich (Tokai- Hokuriku) |
東海・ 北陸土産 あずきサンド
This flavor was inspired by popular coffee shop menus in Nagoya
that feature the Ogura Toast Sandwich (小倉 トースト) .
The Kit Kat version tastes like dark chocolate (even though it's made of milk chocolate)
over the red bean with a tinge of bitterness at the end.
Tamaruya Honten Wasabi (Shizuoka- Kanto) |
静岡・関東土産 (田丸屋本店わさび)
Its Japan, so of course there will be a Wasabi flavor.
It's not just any Wasabi, it's supplied by the famous Shizuoka company
Tamaruya which started in 1875.
Paired with white chocolate, you get all of the Wasabi flavor
minus the clear your nose sensation.
Wa-Ichigo |
和いちご
Airport Duty Free Exclusive
Comes in a box of 10 mini packages
(3 pieces per box)
Airport Duty Free Exclusive
Comes in a box of 10 mini packages
(3 pieces per box)
Smells and tastes like a delectable sweet strawberry milk shake.
Easter Special (2017) |
カスタードプリン
Again, I have no clue where the original packaging is. I think it came in the loose assorted bags of 12.
Isn't this so adorable?
On the sweeter side, but you really get the pudding flavor.
Similar to the Kobe Pudding version but way cuter.
Kit Kat Chocolatory
キットカット ショコラトリー
I say, this is the fanciest chocolate-inspired chandelier I've ever seen (photo shot in Daimaru, Osaka City Station).
A video of...obviously not me; Official Kit Kat Chocolatory commerical:
Each branch of the Chocolatory is quite small by itself as it takes a small spot
inside a larger department store (basement/ food level).
So far, there's only 6 branches throughout Japan currently.
| Chocolatory Editions |
 Ooops, I think I threw away this box, sorry! For Special selection, the box was very simple just like the wrappers but the "special" part was in foil. |
Comes in 8 or 24 pieces (1,080 YEN/ 3,240 YEN includes 4 pieces of Sublime Bitter Chocolate sticks)
|
Chocolatory Sublime |
Matcha & Bitter Chocolate
ショコラトリーサブリム (抹茶 & ビター )
324 YEN each
ショコラトリーサブリム (抹茶 & ビター )
324 YEN each
Milk Chocolate also available.
There's only 300 bars of the Bitter Sublime for sale daily as it's hand dipped.
Special (fancier versions of individual Sublimes) go for ~540 YEN each.
There's seasonal versions also.
The Bitter Sublime is very similar to their standard dark chocolate but in a way fancier packaging.
I see it pairing really well with a glass of red wine.
The Matcha one is exactly like you should expect it to be (Matcha with white chocolate).
A bit creamy but still has the distinct Matcha bitter bite.
The green tea part is very subtle with thin layers of milk chocolate sandwiched between.
Very sophisticated and has many different nuances so probably not the best to feed a young child.
| Chocolatory Pistachio & Grapefruit Connoisseur Series Edition |
ピスタチオ＆グレープフルーツ
432 YEN each
(4 pieces per box)
432 YEN each
(4 pieces per box)
The flavors and packaging colors were inspired by Greece.
Wonderful balance of both flavors. Grapefruit gives it a nice acidic balance.
Very tasty even though I'm not the biggest fan of both flavors individually.
Chocolatory Luxury Everyday Moleson |
毎日の贅沢
Inspired by popular European chocolate with fruits and nuts.
This is the every day version (much more casual to the Sublime Moleson counterpart).
Inspired by popular European chocolate with fruits and nuts.
This is the every day version (much more casual to the Sublime Moleson counterpart).
Now that I think about it, this was probably picked from Don Quijote (Umeda, Osaka).
The Sublime Moleson is the first Kit Kat to feature real fruit (cranberries) with almonds.
While unique, it's an acquired taste I think. I'm still deciding if I like it or not.
If you are the type to procrastinate...
have no fear, the airport has got your covered.
Granted they don't carry too many varieties, but some is better than none right?
Bonus is you don't have to worry about packing it in your suitcase.
 Photo from one of the many grocery stores inside Kansai International Airport. |
You mean it's not necessary to to go to all the different places to actually get these?
YES and NO.
The Chocolatory offers special limited edition ones that can only be found there, same with airport.
[Here's the official guide from Nestle]:
YES and NO.
The Chocolatory offers special limited edition ones that can only be found there, same with airport.
[Here's the official guide from Nestle]:
| |
Official Map of Local Flavors
(Click to see it better yourself).
(Click to see it better yourself).
Photo Courtesy of Nestlé (© 2017 Nestlé).
But with new flavors out all the time, it's safe to say the Kit Kat quest continues. :)
| RESOURCES FOR KIT KAT HUNTING
|
| Other Kit Kat Chocolatory around the world |
| CUSTOM KIT KATS |
Personalize your own Kit Kats (from 2,160 YEN before shipping)
with your own photos and messages.
Japan delivery only!
with your own photos and messages.
Japan delivery only!
Chocollabo KITKAT Photo Courtesy of Nestlé (© 2017 Nestlé).
I think this is the cutest idea. I wonder if they will deliver to hotels?
(I guess it doesn't hurt to try--please ask your hotel concierge).
I guess I need to try this out and report back next time.
Chocollabo KITKAT ( official link).
What's YOUR FAVORITE Kit Kat flavors?
Tell me in the comments below!
Thanks for reading.
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