Each month, Kashido delivers a specific prefecture-themed curated selection of okashi (snacks) and traditional crafts, alongside a photo booklet made from the pictures our team takes there. You will also get access to the online journey articles centered on the featured prefecture that delve into the real people, stories, and culture that the team encounters along the way. A Kashido selection goes beyond a box of snacks and gives you a look at the Japan beyond social media.

Those are good services for discovering general Japanese snacks. At Kashido however, our team delves deeper to curate okashi (snacks) that are locally made and often unavailable outside of their respective prefecture. We skip the kitkats and instead select okashi that are handmade right in the place they call home, letting you discover an authentic part of the local culture.

Kashido combines the words kashi (菓子, snacks) and do (道).
The character do (道) carries two meanings:
① road: Connecting you to undiscovered Japan
② a disciplined way of life: as seen in bushido and judo.

Every maker featured in our selections has dedicated their lives to their craft, just as we do.

Shota, our founder, selects everything. He travels with the Kashido team to each prefecture before any anything is chosen to try the okashi (snacks) firsthand. Nothing goes in the selection because it's well-known or easy to source, we only include the okashi and items that we feel are genuinely are worth sharing.

Japan has forty-seven prefectures, but the overwhelming majority of international visitors see three: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka. The other forty-four have their own food, craft traditions, histories and landscapes, but are mostly unknown outside Japan. We started Kashido to uncover these aspects hidden in each prefecture and share them with the world.

Yes. We reach out to every maker directly and, whenever possible, take the time to visit them in person before confirming anything. Each partnership is built through open dialogue, shared understanding, and a commitment to fair compensation rather than seeking the lowest price.

Our goal at Kashido is not to maximize our own margin but to help create an environment where local makers are able to continue their craft for generations. We see our role as sharing their stories with the world, and we try to make thoughtful choices that support everyone involved.

Kashido is based in Azabu, Tokyo. Everyone on the team lives and works in Japan. We visit the regions we feature regularly, meeting makers in person and sourcing directly from them.

All purchases are final, as we curate each selection with care. That being said, your experience matters to us. If something didn’t meet your expectations, we’d like to hear your feedback.

If you’re open to sharing more through a short online survey (about 30 minutes), we’re happy to offer a 50% refund on your plan as a thank-you. Every response is personally reviewed by our team.

Kashido began in May 2026, but the makers and craftspeople we work with have stories that go back much further. Many have spent decades honing their craft, and some carry on traditions passed down through generations.

Kashido is priced differently because it offers a different kind of experience.

Most subscription boxes in the $30 ~ $40 range focus on variety and accessibility. They often include a larger number of items that are sourced through distributors or produced at scale, making them affordable and easy to enjoy.

Kashido takes a more focused and hands-on approach. Each item is selected for its authenticity and sourced directly from makers across Japan. We travel to different prefectures, meet with makers, and build relationships before including their work. We prioritize craftsmanship, origin, and the story behind each piece, rather than accessibility.

The price also reflects the nature of the items themselves. Many are handmade or produced in small batches by artisans who have spent years refining their skills, using traditional methods and regional materials.

In short, more affordable boxes are a great choice for casual discovery. Kashido is designed for those who are looking for a high quality selection of okashi (snacks), with a closer connection to the people and places behind each item.

It varies month to month. The confections in a typical selection carry a Japanese domestic retail value of $40 to $60 or more. Months that include traditional crafts can add another $50 or beyond. Many items we source aren't available online anywhere. Part of what you're paying for is the curation itself, the trips, the relationships, and the months of work that go into each selection.

While a handful of producers have a presence in Japanese department stores or sell online domestically, international shipping is rarely an option. The majority of our selections comes from small local producers who sell in person only. Kashido offers a way to experience these items without needing to travel, bringing a small part of those places to you.

The $20 shipping fee supports the careful packing and international delivery of each selection from Japan. From protective packaging to reliable shipping methods, it helps ensure everything reaches you just as it was meant to be experienced.

Yes. We offer a one-time trial box for new customers, featuring the same curated contents as our regular monthly selections. The trial is available once per address.

Each selection contains okashi (snacks) and traditional crafts from that month's featured prefecture, a printed photobook made by our founder during the team's travels there. Everything arrives wrapped in Japanese washi paper and in our signature box. Subscribers on six or twelve-month plans receive their first selection inside a paulownia wood box. Access to that month's journey articles is included with every active subscription.

A full color booklet printed on premuim paper featuring the photos our founder Shota and the Kashido team takes while visiting each prefecture is included in every selection. Information regarding the okashi (snacks) in the selection are also included.

They journey articles detail the Kashido Team's travels to the featured prefecture to share the real stories, people, and culture that we uncover. Learn more about Japan's various regions in a format that feels almost like traveling there yourself.

Journey article access is exclusive to Kashido customers for the first three months of publication. A QR code included on the photo booklet will link you to the journey articles page. After the exclusivity period is up, the articles can be freely accessed from our website.

Each selection typically contains between eight and thirteen items, depending on the month. As every selection is built around a different prefecture, the same item won't appear in two different selections.

Washi (和紙) is traditional Japanese paper with a history spanning more than 1,400 years. Although paper was first introduced to Japan from China, it gradually developed into something unique. By the Edo period (1603–1867), it had become a familiar part of everyday life throughout the country. Even its name reflects this origin: wa (和) means Japan, and shi (紙) means paper.

Unlike Western paper, which is typically made from wood pulp, washi is created using natural fibers such as kozo, mitsumata, and hemp. It is remarkably light, yet also durable, resistant to tearing, and able to withstand moisture. In fact, some sheets made over a thousand years ago are still preserved in Japan today.

Each month, when you open your Kashido selection, you will find the contents gently wrapped in washi. Every sheet is carefully made by hand by skilled craftspeople who have dedicated years to refining their technique.

For generations, washi has been part of daily life in Japan, appearing not only in books and architecture, but also in items such as rain umbrellas and paper lanterns. No two sheets are exactly alike, and the way each one catches the light shifts subtly depending on the angle. The uniqueness of every piece is part of what makes washi so beloved.

Subscribers on six- or twelve-month plans receive their first selection inside a kiri-bako (桐箱), a box made from Japanese paulownia wood. Paulownia naturally regulates humidity and temperature, and is the only wood that is mildly alkaline, making it resistant to insects without treatment. Only two manufacturers in Japan still cultivate their own paulownia trees, with the majority of boxes being made from material sourced overseas. At Kashido we believe it is important to support the local makers who keep traditions alive, and are partnered with one of these companies to create 100% Japanese made boxes.

Yes. We share past selection contents on our official Instagram. It's the most direct way to see what a Kashido selection looks like before you open one yourself.

Kashido offers four subscription plans and a one-time trial option.

• Trial box (one-time): $100 — available once per address for new customers.
• 1-month plan: $150/mo — renews automatically each month.
• 3-month plan: $140/mo — billed as $420 every three months.
• 6-month plan: $135/mo — billed as $810 every six months.
• 12-month plan: $128/mo — billed as $1,536 once per year.

Shipping ($20) is charged separately on all plans. Subscribers on six- or twelve-month plans receive their first shipment in a paulownia wood box at no additional charge.

All subscriptions are handled through the Kashido website. Select the plan that suits you, enter your shipping address and payment details, and you'll receive a confirmation email once your order is placed.

We accept major credit cards and PayPal. All prices are charged in USD.

Selections ship once a month. Orders placed by the cutoff date each month ship the following month. If you order after the cutoff date, your first selection will ship the month after that. You'll receive a shipping notification by email once your selection is on its way.

Yes. You can cancel at any time through your account on the Kashido website. Cancelling stops future renewals, it does not refund any months already paid for. Your plan simply won't renew after the current term ends.

If you're on the 1-month plan, you can skip a shipment from your account before your next billing date. Multi-month plans are paid upfront in full, so skipping individual months isn't available.

Yes, of course. You can make changes directly from your account page. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out at support@kashido.co.

Please note: the paulownia wood box (kiri-bako), included with six- and twelve-month plans, will be shipped at the start of your new plan period.

Yes. When placing your order, simply enter the recipient's address as the shipping destination. The selection arrives exactly as it would for any subscriber, no pricing information is included inside.

No. Shota selects the featured prefecture for each month, and every subscriber receives the same selection. We announce each month's region on our website and Instagram before selections ship, so you'll always know what's coming.

Each subscription ships to one address. To update your shipping address, contact our support team before your next billing date. We can't reroute a selection once it has shipped.

Your first charge happens at checkout. After that, billing depends on your plan.

• 1-month plan: renews automatically each month on the same date as your original purchase.
• 3-, 6-, and 12-month plans: renew automatically at the end of each term unless you cancel before the renewal date.

You'll receive a reminder email before each renewal.

Kashido ships to the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and all European Union member states.

For orders to the United States, we ship via FedEx. Delivery typically takes one to five business days from the ship date. For the United Kingdom, Australia, and EU member states, we ship via ECMS. Delivery typically arrives within seven days of the ship date.

Customs inspections, public holidays, or disruptions at the destination country can extend delivery. Your tracking number will always show the most current status.

Yes. Once your selection has shipped, you'll receive a shipping confirmation email with your tracking number. You can use it to follow your selection's progress through FedEx (US orders) or ECMS (UK, AU, and EU orders).

No. The $20 shipping fee covers international freight only. Customs duties, import taxes, and VAT are not included and are the sole responsibility of the recipient, in accordance with the laws of the destination country.

Most Kashido selections are not assessed customs duties in practice. That said, we cannot predict or guarantee what any country's customs authority will decide, and we are not able to reimburse customs charges.

If your selection arrives damaged, please contact us within seven days of delivery. Include photographs of the damaged packaging and the affected items. We'll review your report and work to make it right.

If your selection hasn't arrived within the expected timeframe, check the tracking information first, as customs clearance can sometimes cause delays.

If the tracking shows no movement or your selection appears to be lost, please contact us. We will investigate with the carrier on your behalf and arrange a resolution.

Please note: once a carrier has confirmed successful delivery to the address on file, Kashido is not responsible for packages that go missing after that point.

It's rare, but possible. All Kashido selections contain food products sourced in Japan and are shipped with accurate customs documentation. The vast majority of shipments clear customs without issue.

In rare cases, a selection may be held or returned. Kashido cannot be held responsible for customs decisions, and we are not able to refund or reship selections seized or refused at the border due to local import regulations.

Yes. Every selection includes a content guide that lists the FDA's nine major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame) for each item. Where a product is made in a facility that also handles other allergens, we will include the applicable allergens in the information as well.

We work closely with each maker to gather this information as accurately as possible. That said, Kashido cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of all allergen information provided.

We don't offer vegan-only, gluten-free, or halal-only selections, and we are not able to accommodate individual dietary requests.

Japanese confectionery frequently contains wheat, dairy, eggs, or animal-derived ingredients, and is rarely produced in dedicated allergen-free facilities. In practice, most items in a Kashido selection will not meet vegan, gluten-free, or halal requirements.

No. While some okashi (snacks) incorporate sake in their production, the alcohol is fully cooked off during the process, leaving only the flavor behind. Everything in your selection is alcohol-free.

Shelf life varies by item. We select products with sufficient time remaining before their best-before date.

Japanese food packaging often displays a production date (製造年月日) rather than a best-before date (賞味期限). If you see a date on the packaging and are unsure which it is, please contact our support team, we're happy to help you read it correctly.

Kashido selections contain food items produced by small artisan makers across Japan. These products are not manufactured in allergen-free facilities, and cross-contamination with common allergens (including nuts, dairy, wheat, and eggs) is possible.

If you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please review all allergen information carefully before consuming any item. You are solely responsible for verifying that each product is safe for you.

As a general rule, keep items away from direct sunlight, high temperatures, and humidity. Many Japanese confections are best enjoyed soon after opening.

If you have any questions about a specific item, our support team is happy to help.