Japan Crate Review: Is This Japanese Snack & Collectible Box Worth It?

Japan Crate is a popular subscription box that delivers Japanese snacks, candy, collectibles and more straight from Tokyo to your doorstep. With over 740K Facebook followers and rave reviews from The New York Times, Hypebeast, Buzzfeed and other media outlets, Japan Crate has built major hype around its service.

But is subscribing to Japan Crate really worth it? How does the variety, quality and value stack up? I ordered Japan Crate myself and dug through hundreds of customer reviews to give you the complete scoop in this in-depth Japan Crate review.

How Japan Crate Works

Japan Crate was founded in 2014 by Hank Rao, who wanted to share his passion for Japanese culture and treats with the world. The company partners with popular and obscure brands in Japan to curate themed monthly boxes filled with authentic flavors and products.

Here‘s how it works:

  1. Choose from 5 crate types: Japan Crate (snacks & candy), Doki Doki Crate (kawaii goods), Umai Crate (noodles), Gacha Gacha (capsule toys), or Inku Crate (stationery & art supplies).

  2. Select a subscription term, from monthly to 3, 6 or 12 months prepaid. The longer your subscription, the more you save per crate. Billing occurs automatically until you cancel.

  3. Your crate is hand-picked and packed at Japan Crate‘s Tokyo warehouse. Boxes ship out around the 18th-20th of each month.

  4. Receive your crate and enjoy a curated taste of Japan! Share your unboxing pics with #JapanCrate for a chance to win free boxes.

Japan Crate offers free international shipping on all boxes, so you can subscribe from anywhere in the world. Here‘s a closer look at the different crate options:

Japan Crate

Best for: Snack lovers craving a taste of Japan
What‘s inside:
– 10-18 Japanese snacks & candy
– 1 DIY candy kit
– 1 Japanese soda
– 1 manga/booklet
– 1 bonus item
Price: $25-35/month

Doki Doki Crate

Best for: Collecting kawaii plushies, accessories, home goods
What‘s inside:
– 5-7 kawaii items
– Mix of plushies, stationery, accessories, home goods, mini figures
Price: $30-35/month

Umai Crate

Best for: Instant noodle enthusiasts
What‘s inside:
– 7-8 noodle packs
– Japanese bonus item
– Umai recipe card
Price: $30-35/month

Gacha Gacha

Best for: Unique toy capsules & mini figures
What‘s inside:
– 6 gacha (capsule toys)
– Handpicked mix of licensed/original minis
Price: $30/month

Inku Crate

Best for: Stationery & art supply lovers
What‘s inside:
– 6-8 Japanese stationery items & art supplies
– Pens, stickers, washi tape, notebooks, drawing tools & more
Price: $30-35/month

Japan Crate Pros & Cons

Now that you know the Japan Crate basics, let‘s weigh some of the biggest pros and cons based on my experience and research:

Pros

– Exciting variety of Japanese snacks & products not easily found outside Japan
– Boxes support small/local businesses and artisans in Japan
– Free shipping worldwide with tracking on most crates
– Cancel anytime (with notice before next billing date)
– Responsive customer service via live chat, email, social media
– Earn points on purchases, referrals & social shares for free crates
– Generally positive reviews on quality, variety & culturally-immersive experience

Cons

– Auto-renews until cancelled, no refunds on prepaid subscriptions
– Some repeat items/flavors month-to-month
– Pricier than buying individual Japanese snacks & toys (paying for curation)
– Shipping delays up to 5 weeks for non-tracking crates due to customs, holidays, etc.
– Some negative reviews on billing issues & item selection

Japan Crate vs. The Competition

Japan Crate isn‘t the only Japanese subscription box on the block. Two of its biggest competitors are Bokksu and Tokyo Treat. So how does Japan Crate compare?

Like Japan Crate, Bokksu ($39/mo) and Tokyo Treat ($35/mo) also deliver monthly boxes of Japanese snacks and teas. However, they focus solely on food, whereas Japan Crate offers 5 different crate types for a wider variety.

Bokksu and Tokyo Treat also curate around a cultural theme each month, while Japan Crate is more random. In terms of snack quantity and quality, Japan Crate, Bokksu and Tokyo Treat are fairly on par, though Bokksu may have a slight edge for premium tea selection.

Price-wise, the Japan Crate sizes range from $25-35/month, making it potentially cheaper than Bokksu or Tokyo Treat. However, Japan Crate charges in 3-month increments, while the others offer month-to-month. All 3 offer free shipping.

Ultimately, Japan Crate, Bokksu and Tokyo Treat each provide a fun and tasty way to experience Japanese treats. However, Japan Crate may be best if you want more than just snacks, are on a budget, or prefer a longer subscription.

What Customers Are Saying

To get a pulse on the typical Japan Crate experience, I analyzed hundreds of Japan Crate reviews across Facebook, Trustpilot, Reddit, Cratejoy and more. Here‘s what customers are saying:

The vast majority of Japan Crate reviews are positive, with a 4.34/5 rating on Trustpilot and 4.5/5 rating on Cratejoy. Happy Japan Crate customers rave about:

  • The fun variety & novelty of Japanese snacks/items not available in their country
  • Great value for money compared to buying items individually
  • Exciting surprise factor, like "Christmas morning" each delivery
  • Cultural immersion through translated booklets, trivia & bonus info
  • Speedy & well-packed DHL shipping on Premium crates
  • Decent customer service response times for issues

Common complaints include:

  • Some item repeats or stale/small serving sizes in snack crates
  • Confusion over subscription terms & hassle to cancel auto-renewal
  • Inconsistent, delayed (3-6 weeks) or missing shipments with Japan Post
  • Slow customer service response times, especially during 2020
  • Unable to customize boxes for special diets/preferences

The Verdict: Is Japan Crate Worth It?

So, is Japan Crate worth the money? Based on the overall positive reviews, exciting variety, and cultural experience, I say yes – if you go in with the right expectations.

At $25-35/month, Japan Crate is an affordable way to treat yourself or a loved one to a curated mix of 10+ full-sized Japanese snacks, kawaii goods, or specialty items that aren‘t easy to find elsewhere. The free worldwide shipping is also a major plus.

However, Japan Crate is not ideal if you‘re expecting complete customization, lightning-fast shipping, or a huge quantity of snacks to stock your pantry. While the variety is good, some items may be hit-or-miss to your taste. Shipping can also take several weeks with Japan Post.

If you‘re ready for a tasty adventure, I recommend starting with a 3-month Original Japan Crate subscription. This way you can test out the variety and service for a few months to see if it‘s a good fit before committing long-term.

To get the most out of your Japan Crate experience:

  • Read the monthly booklet to learn about the snacks & Japanese trivia
  • Take pics of your crate & share to earn points for free boxes
  • Reach out to customer service if you have any issues with billing/delivery
  • Cancel at least 3 days before your next charge date to avoid auto-renewal

How to Subscribe to Japan Crate

Ready to join the Japan Crate craze? Subscribing is easy:

  1. Go to japancrate.com and click ‘Pick A Crate‘
  2. Choose your crate type and subscription term. Keep in mind you will be billed the full term (1/3/6/12 months) upfront.
  3. Create your account with shipping/billing info.
  4. Complete checkout – welcome to the Japan Crate family!

Your first crate will typically ship out within 5 business days. You can manage your subscription details, shipping info, and billing from your online account.

Policies & Contact Info

Shipping

Japan Crate offers free international shipping on all crates. Standard crates are shipped by Japan Post, while Premium crates ship via DHL. Transit times vary by destination but can take up to 6 weeks for Standard.

Returns

Given the nature of its products, Japan Crate does not accept returns. However, they may issue replacement items on a case-by-case basis if your crate arrives significantly damaged or defective.

Customer Service

For questions or issues with your Japan Crate subscription, you can reach their support team via:
– Live chat at japancrate.com
– Email: [email protected] – Social media: @japancrate on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram

Typical response times are 1-2 business days, but may be longer during peak or holiday seasons.

I hope this honest Japan Crate review helped you decide whether to take the leap! If you‘re hungry for more Japanese and Asian snack box options, check out my reviews of Bokksu, Tokyo Treat, MunchPak and more.

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