Japanese Jam - an Affordable, Adorable, and Delicious Souvenir to Bring Back Home

Recommended jams you can get at a supermarket

Jams by brands “Aohata” or “MEIDI-YA” are affordable options that look cute and tasty, and you can easily find them at a supermarket. The strawberry or marmalade jam is their classic, but flavors such as apple and apricot are also available. They also make spreads that are great to smear on a slice of toast.

Aohata 55 Jam

Aohata 55 Jam is another classic by the highly acclaimed brand Aohata, which has been loved by locals for a long time. The concept for this jam is “delicately sweet,” as it is low in sugar, making the best of the freshness and aroma of the fruits used. 12 flavors are available, including apple, cinnamon, fig, and grapefruit.

Aohata Fully Fruit

Aohata Fully Fruit is made without sugar but with fruit juice for sweetness. It is a natural, light, refreshing jam that makes the most of the fruit itself. The lid of its jar is an adorable pattern of blue and white stripes - it can be a cute souvenir for your friends or yourself. 8 kinds of flavors are available: strawberry, white peach, apricot, and so on.

VERDE Toast Spread

VERDE Toast Spread is a popular product by Kewpie, a brand known for its much-loved mayonnaise. This easy-to-use spread that comes in a tube turns a plain slice of toast into a delicious treat in seconds. Flavors like garlic, Mentai (seasoned cod roe) are not just great for toast but also for cooking various meals.

MY JAM CLASSIC

The “MY JAM” series is one of MEIDI-YA’s flagship products that has been loved since 1911. It is known for its sweet and rich flavor. MY JAM CLASSIC offers 3 kinds of flavor: strawberry, blueberry, and Valencia orange marmalade. It also comes in a big, 400g jar - perfect for a souvenir or sharing.

Stop by these stores for tasty specialty jams - Karuizawa and Kamakura

Karuizawa and Kamakura are popular travel destinations in Japan for their cool weather in summer and quaint atmosphere. Here are the recommended local jam stores you should check out when you are in the area!

KARUIZAWA SAWAYA JAM

SAWAYA started as a small street greengrocer in Karuizawa in 1952 and began making healthy jams without additives due to customers’ requests. The popularity of its jams then led SAWAYA to commit to making jams as it is now. SAWAYA’s jams are all handmade and made from fresh in-season fruits that are delicious just as they are. They offer a variety of seasonal, unique flavors in the best conditions, such as rhubarb, rose, and lemon marmalade.

KARUIZAWA SAWAYA　Karuizawa Station Store
Address: Inside SHINANOYA KARUIZAWA, Karuizawa Station 3F, Karuizawa, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
Directions: Karuizawa Station 3F
Official Website: http://www.sawaya-jam.com/

romi-unie

romi-unie is located near Kamakura Station and specializes in confiture and baked goods. Its concept is “jams like sweets,” and around 30 unique products are lined up at the store. Its confitures are fun and colorful with a unique yet delicious combination of fruits, spices, and alcohol.

romi-unie
Address: 2-15-11 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa
Directions: 5 minutes’ walk from the east exit of Kamakura Station (JR Yokosuka Line)
Official Website: https://www.romi-unie.jp/

Reservation required - a worthwhile jam-making experience on your trip to Japan

“AOHATA JAM DECK” is a highly recommended spot in the Sanyo area (an area in the southern part of Honshu, the main island of Japan) if you want to have a fun tour and a jam-making experience. Since this is a popular spot, early booking is recommended (A reservation can be made only by phone, during the first business day two months before and 1 week before the tour date). 2 types of the tour are available at this place!

A jam-making experience and a factory tour

In this course, you can tour Aohata’s low-sugar specialty jam factory and make jam for yourself. It costs 800 yen, and you can choose from 2 schedules: the morning or the afternoon session. Each session is about 2 and a half hours long. For jam making, you can choose one flavor from strawberry, orange marmalade, and blueberry; and make 4 jars (200g each) of jam. The course is open for those aged 13 years or above, but anyone younger than 13 can join the tour with a parent.

A factory tour at Aohata’s low-sugar jam factory

This free 1 hour and 30 minutes course is an educational experience on jam through watching a video, taking a factory tour, and trying samples of Aohata’s delicious jams. This course is open for all ages (a small child has to be accompanied by a parent), and you can choose from a session in the morning or the afternoon.

AOHATA JAM DECK
Address: 1-2-43 Tadanoumi Nakamachi, Takehara, Hiroshima
Directions: 5 minutes walk from JR Kure Line Tadanoumi Station
Official Website: http://www.aohata.co.jp/mc004_factory/index.html

Jams are an excellent choice as a souvenir from Japan

While snacks are popular for souvenirs, jams are a great alternative because they are versatile and stay fresh for a long time. You can easily purchase jams from a major or a local brand at many places such as supermarkets, souvenir stores, or roadside rest areas. Bring these cute souvenirs back to your home with an unforgettable memory of your trip to Japan!

[Note] Pricing information and schedule are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice. Please check the official website before your trip.