It seems that, because of the internet, a number of people know of the myriad of Kit-Kat flavors in Japan.
Click here to read of the posts I’ve written about them.
But many other products, both Japanese and foreign, are sold in unique flavors in Japan.
For example, Coca-Cola and Pepsi-cola. (Click here to see the posts I’ve written about them.
Also, potato chips, chocolates and other snacks…as well as sandwiches and beverages (besides the colas I’ve mentioned above) come in a variety of flavors here.
Japanese pizza and crepe have unique “only-in-Japan” toppings sometimes.
Maybe I’ll write a blog post about some of those one day.
But today, since the weather is getting warmer, I decided to write about a Japanese ice-pop (or アイスキャンデー (ice candy) as it’s known in Japan) that is very popular here in the summer.
It’s called 「ガリガリ君」 (“Gari-Gari-kun“)
Japanese 「ガリガリ君」 (“Gari-Gari-kun”) ice-pop. (This one is “Soda flavor”).
In America, the “Popsicle” brand ice-pop (ice candy) is the most popular…in Japan, it’s “Gari-Gari-Kun“.
And, just like a lot of other snacks here (such as “Kit-Kat“), Gari-Gari-Kun is sold in a wide, diverse variety of flavors.
Here are a few examples:
Tiramisu (Italian dessert) flavor “Gari-Gari-Kun” ice-pop.
みかん (Tangerine) flavor “Gari-Gari-Kun” ice-pop.
Grapefruit flavor “Gari-Gari-Kun” ice-pop.
Tokyo Five 
My brother moved to Hyogoken earlier this year to be a teacher and he talks about these all the time. I wish we had them in the U.K. so I could at least try one haha
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Don’t they have ice candy (Popsicles) in England? You should visit your brother in Japan!
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I’ve never heard of this, but next time we’re in Japan we shall have to look for some.
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You have never tried Gari-Gari-Kun?
Yeah … you should try one! They’re sold everywhere!
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I love Gari Gari kun! I wish they sold it in the UK.
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Did you try an Asian supermarket?
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I’ve never seen it in any up until now, but maybe I haven’t looked hard enough.
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I wish they’d make the different Kit Kats here in the US. I can only try them in Japan. We love the kimchi ramen (by Samyang – the Nongshim one is not too good). We crack a raw egg into the hot soup, and . . . yum! Will be in Japan this October – already getting very excited.
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Can’t you buy Japanese snacks at Asian supermarkets in your country?
Will this be your first time to Japan?
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I generally avoid sweets, though Japan makes it tough sometimes. My vice is the limited edition beers.
But the most shocking thing about your post to me? That Popsicle is a brand name. …. haha seriously. All through my childhood we always referred to all flavored ice on a stick as a popsicle. I kind of those that was just the name of that kind of treat. Hmm.. (In my defense, I don’t think I’ve ever actually bought a popsicle… er, ice pop)
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I prefer beer to sweets too!
Yes, Popsicle is a brand-name … but it’s one of the many that have become, in America, the term used to describe the product.
Just like Jell-o, Q-tips, Xerox, Band-Aid, and Velcro … which are actually brand names but have become generic terms for geletin dessert, cotton swabs, copy machines, adhesive bandages and hook-and-loop tape, respectively.
Didn’t you eat “Popsicles” as a kid?
I liked the “KISS (rock band) Popsicles” in the 70s. They were black!
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I tend to have the soda and cola flavours, though have had tangerine. I do not want the cream stew or whatever the other strange flavours are.
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My daughter bought the corn soup flavor one once. I tried it… it was certainly unusual.
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Want unusual? I remember about 3 years ago there was a sparkling chocolate drink. I tried it. It actually tasted like chocolate, but the addition of carbonation confused my tongue and my ability to determine whether I liked it or not. But it tasted like chocolate. Didn’t look like it.
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I don’t try most of the huge variety of junkfood here. I don’t have much of a “sweet tooth”.
I’ve tried the kimchee ramune once:
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Kimchee?? I don’t think I’d ever want to try that.
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No. You don’t!
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Sounds awful.
I think one of the worst drinks I’ve had was Pepsi Pink. It tasted like bubblegum. I couldn’t finish the bottle.
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>one of the worst drinks I’ve had was Pepsi Pink
Oh, this one:
I rarely buy soft drinks…and certainly not a pink one!
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I wanted to try the corn soup flavor last time I was in Japan, but I never saw it when I was at places that had the popsicles. I had a corn & sweet cream popsicle once here in DC from a local place that was so good, and I was curious whether the corn soup flavor would be similar or not. I expect it is more of a savory flavor.
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Some flavors are easier to find than others. And some are limited-time-only.
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These flavours.always surprise me and I am looking I trying at least a few of them when visiting Japan 🙂
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Yeah, you should. When will you visit Japan?
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Oh that’s still written in the stars but next year looks pretty promising as my wife and I started our own business and hence we can schedule everything according to our wishes 🙂
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Oh! What kind of business?
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Just some basic online trade on baby stuff 🙂
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The internet is useful for international shopping.
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Indeed it is. Nearly everything will be for the Chinese market as they love made in Germany products 🙂
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“Made in Japan” is also popular in China, I’ve heard.
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It always depends. Few years ago many Japanese products suffered due to the island conflict. However then Chinese started to realize that it would be impossible to boycott Japanese products as everyone has some necessary for their daily life 🙂
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Chinese tourists in Tokyo often buy Japanese medicine, make-up, rice cookers and toilet seats!
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