Japanese Kit Kat from Nestle offers an intriguing fusion of culture and candy, with hundreds of different flavors that capture the essence of the regional specialties of Japan and its changing seasons. Since its introduction in 1973, this chocolate treat has become a token of good luck in Japan. From the crowd-favorite Matcha Green Tea to the adventurous sake flavor, these bite-sized delights offer a unique taste of adventure and Japanese culture.
- Japanese name: キットカット (pronounced kitto katto)
- Number of flavors: More than 300 Kit Kat flavors
- Fun Fact: Often has a white space in the packaging so you can write special messages to friends!
WHY ARE KIT KATS DIFFERENT IN JAPAN?
Many people ask why Japan has such an extraordinary variety of Kit Kat flavors. It all boils down to the Japanese culture's love for gifting novelty and region-specific products. These local 'omiyage' (souvenirs) often feature ingredients specific to their region. Kit Kats have jumped on this bandwagon, offering flavors that represent different parts of the country, from Hokkaido's melon to Okinawa's purple sweet potato.
WHAT DOES KIT KAT MEAN IN JAPANESE?
Kit Kat might not have a particular Japanese meaning, but its Japanese pronunciation kitto katto sounds a lot like “kitto katsu,” a phrase that means “you’re definitely going to win” in English.
Because of that, Japanese Kit Kats are often gifted to students during exam season as a token of good luck. They're also an ideal omiyage (housewarming gift), satisfying the Japanese tradition of bringing back regional gifts for friends and family.
KIT KAT'S CHOCOLATE-Y JAPANESE HISTORY
The Kit Kat saga in Japan began in 1973 when Rowntree's, a British confectionery company, brought the iconic chocolate to Japanese shores. The Kit Kat found its sweet success when it struck a chord with the Japanese play on the words “kitto katsu.” It became an instant hit in the country!
The very first flavor of Kit Kat made in Japan was strawberry. While they were first sold in Hokkaido, these luscious Kit Kats were found to be extremely popular not only among the Japanese but among tourists as well!
HOW MANY JAPANESE KIT-KAT FLAVORS ARE THERE?
Now that the Kit Kat brand is under Nestle, there are more than 300 flavors of Japanese Kit Kats, and each is more intriguing than the last. Dive into the tropical zest of passion fruit or the rich subtleties of matcha. Tempt your palate with wasabi or rum raisin. The world of Japanese Kit Kats is all about exploring the unexpectedly delicious which you can read in our blog, the Complete List of Japanese Kit Kat Flavors.
JAPANESE KIT-KATS VS. OTHER KIT KATS
Japanese Kit Kats are just more unique compared to other Kit Kats. Not only do they offer a smorgasbord of flavors, but they also showcase Japan’s rich culture and creativity. It’s fun discovering all the unique Kit Kats that Japan has to offer!
SEASONAL & LIMITED EDITION KIT KATS!
Just when you thought it couldn't get any more exciting, Japanese Kit Kats up the ante with seasonal and limited edition releases. Celebrate spring with sakura (cherry blossom) flavored Kit Kats or the warming taste of ginger during winter. With flavors like Halloween pumpkin and Christmas cake, these seasonal treats take festive celebrations to a whole new level.
ULTRA RARE SUSHI KIT KATS
Speaking of limited-edition, one of the special Kit Kats that are super hard to find are Sushi Kit Kats. Beautiful to look at, these sushi-shaped Kit Kats started out as an April Fool’s Joke in 2016 until Nestle decided to turn it into a reality.
A year later, the company released these super limited-edition treats in their specialty stores in Japan! People had to line up in long queues early in the morning just so they could get a box of these Sushi Kit Kats!
GIFTING GOTOCHI KIT KATS
Seasonal and limited-edition Kit Kats aren’t the only special Kit Kats you should look out for! Japan also has Gotochi Kit Kats (regional Kit Kats) which recreate the special flavors of different regions in the land of the rising sun! Not only do they have unique flavors representative of each Japanese region, but they also have cool packaging! These treats make the perfect souvenirs to bring home with you.
WHY ARE KIT KATS SO POPULAR IN JAPAN?
The Kit Kat's popularity in Japan can be attributed to its linguistic charm, cultural significance, and a wide variety of flavors that cater to the Japanese love for novelty. It's a fun and tasty way to experience different regional specialties, making it a hit with locals and tourists alike.
#STARTEDWITHKITKAT
Kit Kat has become such a big part of Japanese culture that so many people have great stories to share about Japanese Kit Kat! Nestle launched the #きっかけはキットカットで(#startedwithkitkat) campaign in Japan back in 2022 asking people to share their best Kit Kat stories. Artists then came up with cute illustrations to tell those cute Japanese Kit Kat moments! It was such a big hit!
THE KING OF JAPANESE KIT KATS
Although there's a dizzying array of flavors to choose from, Matcha Green Tea Kit Kat reigns supreme. With its balance of bitter matcha and sweet white chocolate, it offers a perfect harmony that's distinctly Japanese and thoroughly delicious.
SIZE MATTERS: WHY JAPANESE KIT KATS ARE SMALL
It’s no surprise that Kit Kats in Japan are often smaller than their counterparts in other countries. This miniaturization aligns with the Japanese culture of moderation. People in Japan don’t want Kit Kats that are too large because they’re worried about excessive calorie intake. These bite-sized treats make it easier to sample a range of flavors without feeling overly indulgent.
Japan is so obsessed with bite-sized Kit Kats that Nestle has started to offer indulgent single-stick Kit Kats! Called Kit Kat Sublime, these chocolatey treats offer luxurious high-end flavors. The packaging is super elegant too!
KIT KAT COLLABS
From time to time, chocolate fans get special collaborations from Kit Kat! One is a sweet collab between Kit Kat and Tokyo Banana, the popular banana-shaped Tokyo souvenir treat! This special Kit Kat is made up of layers of wafers and Tokyo Banana cream, all coated in classic Kit Kat chocolate.
Did you know that Kit Kat also had a collaboration with the king of relaxation, Rilakkuma? Nestle made an all-new Hot Cake flavor for the special Kit Kat x Rilakkuma collaboration. It tastes just like a stack of pancakes rolled into one mini bar of chocolate-covered wafers!
CHOCOLAB x KIT KAT
Kit Kat means so much to Japan that Chocolab teamed up with Nestle to offer a fun new program. The Kit Kat Chocolab experience lets people create custom Kit Kat boxes with their own special pictures and messages. They can then have it sent to family and friends. These Kit Kats are often ordered for special occasions like birthdays and weddings in Japan.
LET'S BAKE SOME KIT KATS!
Japan isn’t only interested in unique flavors - they want you to have unique Kit Kat experiences as well! The Yaki Kit Kat is a fun and tasty treat that you can pop in the toaster oven. Just wait for a few minutes till you get a crunchy wafer texture with the taste of slightly roasted chocolate. Yaki Kit Kat is perfect for people looking for unique chocolate textures!
CHEERS TO CHOCOLATE: BOOZY KIT KATS
For those who like a bit of kick with their crunch, Japan even offers alcoholic Kit Kats. From flavors like sake to whiskey, these Japanese Kit Kats include real alcohol, offering a fusion of flavors that's sure to delight adventurous snackers. They make the perfect treat for a Friday night after a long week at school or work.
KIT KAT CHOCOLATORY BAR
Did you know that Japan has its own Kit Kat bar? It has nothing to do with alcohol though. Also known as the Kit Kat Chocolatory, the Kit Kat Bar is a special Japanese Kit Kat shop with exotic treats designed by award-winning pastry chef Yasumasa Takagi. It has many special high-end flavors like cacao fruit, passion fruit, ruby, and more.
MAKE YOUR OWN KIT-KAT!
Japan has about eight Kit Kat Chocolatory shops, but only one of them has the best feature – the My Kit Kat program! This special program allows customers to make their very own Kit Kat with the help of Japanese experts. If you join the program, you get to pick your own chocolate base flavor, put in the wafer pieces, add toppings, and then select a cute box to pack it in!
TRAIN RIDES WITH KIT-KAT!
Did you know that you could pay for train rides with Kit Kat in Japan? That’s right! In 2022, Nestle tried to help rejuvenate the tourism industry in Northern Japan. The company worked together with train stations so they could offer commuters the chance to pay for their ride using a special kind of Kit Kat. These Kit Kat’s were much cheaper than the standard train ticket, making it a perfect break for railway passengers.
HAVE A BREAK WITH JAPANESE KIT-KATS!
So there you have it, a journey into the fun, punchy, and ever-surprising world of Japanese Kit Kats. A cultural phenomenon that's as delicious as it is fascinating, each bite-sized piece is a testament to Japan's unique approach to flavors and a treat to snackers worldwide. Have you tried Japanese Kit Kats yet? What’s your favorite flavor? Let us know in the comment section below!