10 Hokkaido's Must-Try Sweets & Snacks - Perfect Souvenirs to Bring Home

There's no shortage of delicious sweets and snacks to discover in Hokkaido.

In this article, I'll be showcasing some of the top sweets and snacks that you should try on your next trip to Hokkaido.

Let’s dive in!

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1. Hokkaido Cheesecake - Akai Sairo

Photo: Seigetsu

Akai Sairo (meaning ”Red Silo”) is a local delicacy made by a sweet shop called Seigetsu in Kitami, a city in Eastern Hokkaido. Unlike traditional cheesecakes, which are firm and dense, Akai Sairo is light and airy, with a delicate texture that melts in your mouth. The secret is that the cakes are made using fresh, high-quality local ingredients such as milk, wheat, and eggs produced in Hokkaido.

Akai Sairo was always a popular treat among the locals. However, it suddenly became famous across Japan when Japan’s National Curling Team, whose members are from towns around Kitami, were snacking on these cheesecakes during the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Since then, Akai Sairo has been low in stock all the time.

Photo: Seigetsu

So if you happened to find one, make sure to grab a box to bring home - your friends and family will love them! They are available at Seigetsu Shop and department stores in Kitami, as well as Memanbetsu Airport and New Chitose Airport.

2. Fresh Melty Caramel by North Plain Farm

North Plain Farm's fresh caramel (”Nama Caramel” in Japanese) is a sweet hidden gem. It’s incredibly soft and delicate - totally different from the caramels you know.

Using only the finest ingredients, including fresh cream and honey locally sourced in the Okhotsk region, makes it a rich and indulgent flavor. The caramels are made using low-temperature techniques to preserve the natural goodness of the ingredients. This gives the caramel a smooth, creamy texture that is truly unforgettable.

North Plain Farm's raw caramel was the original of its kind, and has been copied by many other brands. But in my experience, this is the best one.

Unfortunately, North Plain Farm’s caramels are not widely available. They make small batches by hand and sell them only at their shop/restaurant in Okoppe. You can have local beef hamburger steak lunch there as well - it would be totally worth making a trip there!

3. White Chocolate Cookie - Shiroi Kobito

Photo: Ishiya

Hokkaido’s souvinir staple. Shiroi Koibito is one of the most popular souvenirs among people visiting Hokkaido. This delicious white chocolate cookie is made with layers of crisp biscuit and rich, creamy white chocolate, creating a perfect balance of flavors. The cookie is so beloved in Hokkaido that it has become a symbol of the region, and can be found in any souvenir shop and specialty store across Hokkaido.

The best way to enjoy Shiroi Koibito is to visit Shiroi Koibito Park in Sapporo. There are Shiroi Koibito factory where you can see the production lines, a sweets shop, and a cafe. You can also join a sweets workshop to make your own Shiroi Koibito!


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4. Marusei Raisin Butter Sand

Photo: Rokkatei

Marusei Raisin Butter Sand made by Rokkatei, Hokkaido’s local sweets shop, is one of my favorites. This delicious cookie sandwich is made with two soft, buttery cookies filled with a generous amount of rich buttercream using white chocolate and raisins.

I always buy them as souvenirs for friends, but often end up eating most of them by myself. Yes, it is that good. You can easily find this at souvenir shops in Hokkaido. Don't leave Hokkaido without trying this deliciousness!

5. White Chocolate Strawberry

Another popular sweet from Rokkatei is this freeze-dried strawberries that are coated in rich, creamy white chocolate. The combination of sweet and tangy flavors, with the satisfyingly crunchy texture of the dried strawberry, is perfection.

There is a milk chocolate version as well - but the white chocolate is much tastier in my opinion. The cute package also makes a nice souvenir to bring home from Hokkaido. Just like their Raisin Butter Sand, this is available in many shops throughout Hokkaido. (Photo: Rokkatei)

6. Silky Chocolate Ganache - Royce Nama Chocolate

Photo: Royce

Royce’s Nama Chocolate (meaning “raw chocolate”) is a must-try treat for anyone visiting Hokkaido. This delicious and renowned chocolate is so popular in Hokkaido that it’s exported to a dozen counties around the world, from the US to Singapore and UAE.

What makes Nama Chocolate special is its texture. It’s so smooth and creamy. Each piece melts immediately once put into your mouth. The key is using plenty of Hokkaido fresh cream in its ingredients to add an incredibly silky texture and a mild flavor. It will satisfy even the most discerning chocolate lover.

The chocolate is available in a variety of flavors, including classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate, creamy white chocolate, matcha, strawberry, and many more. Get different flavors to try with your family and friends, and find your favorite!

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7. Letao Double Fromage Cheesecake

Photo: Letao

Double Fromage is a signature cheesecake of LeTao, a sweets brand from Otaru. The cake has two layers - the baked cheese layer has a satisfying richness, while the rare cheese layer is delightfully milky. When they melt together in your mouth, it's a truly heavenly experience.

The key ingredient is, of course, fresh cream made from Hokkaido milk. To best match the high-quality local ingredient, LeTao sources cheeses from all over the world, including Australian cream cheese with just the right amount of tanginess and Italian mascarpone cheese with a delicate sweetness.

Photo: Letao

You can get Double Fromage Cheesecake at Letao shops in Otaru, New Chitose Airport, and Sapporo. There are also oversea branches in Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and China. Lucky if you are in these countries!

8. German Tree Cake - Samporoku

Photo: Ryugetsu

Samporoku is an iconic treat from Ryugetsu, a local sweets maker from Tokachi. It is a traditional German cake, Baumkuchen, made by baking multiple thin layers of batter on a spit, one layer at a time. This creates a tree-like appearance.

Samporoku is known for its soft, moist texture and mild sweetness. The key ingredients - sugar, butter, and flour - are carefully selected and sourced in Hokkaido. The chocolate coating is designed to resemble birch trees, which are commonly found across Hokkaido.

9. Crispy Potato Sticks - Jaga Pokkuru

Jaga Pokkuru is one of the most popular souviniers of Hokkaido. These simple potato sticks might not look like much, but trust me - you'll be hooked once you take a bite. Made with high-quality Hokkaido-grown potatoes that are fried to crispy perfection and seasoned with salt from the Okhotsk region in Eastern Hokkaido, Jaga Pokkuru is a true taste of the local flavors.

They come in small, convenient packages that are perfect for souvenirs to give to friends or colleagues - but be warned, you'll probably want to keep a few for yourself, too! Jaga Pokkuru can be found in many souvenir shops across Hokkaido, so be sure to grab a bag (or two) during your trip.

10. Seafood-Flavored Potato Cracker - Hogaja

Photo: Hogaja

Hogaja is a must-try potato snack from Kiyosato, a small town in Eastern Hokkaido known for its abundant potato farms. These tasty crackers are thin, crispy, and packed with delicious seafood flavors - plus, they're made with a hint of Hokkaido beet sugar for a touch of natural sweetness.

Hogaja comes in a variety of local flavors, including scallop, shrimp, and kelp. Enjoy the satisfying crunch!

 

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