Japan is an archipelago (a group of islands) of nearly 7000 islands, of which only around 400+ are inhabited.
In our explore Japan box, we introduce families and kids to basic information about the country and to the 9 key essential seasonings of traditional Japanese cuisine. Included in the box are 3 popular recipes, and educational materials to learn about the country's geography, history, music, art and language.
Note - Actual packaging may vary from images shown.
If you prefer to skip the shelf stable ingredients in these recipes due to dietary concerns, choose no mixes. Many of our kits have options for people who prefer gluten free or vegetarian dishes.
Free Shipping
Shipping is free for all country boxes, subscriptions and bundles in the Continental U.S. (AK and HI cost an additional $3 to ship).
Have additional kids, how about extra JAPAN flag pin and sticker- one for each child? 1 country flag pin 1 country sticker Note - no extra shipping fee when combined with explorer box. otherwise, there is shipping fee based on weight
$2.00
Need extra servings or want to repeat your favorite dishes? Grab our spice, sauce, and grain mixes to whip up all three recipes againand keep the delicious fun going! no extra shipping fee when combined with explorer box otherwise, there is shipping feebased on weight
$10.00
Have additional kids, how about getting extra cooking tool(s)? One for each child! Note - no extra shipping fee when combined with explorer box. otherwise, there is shipping fee based on weight
$5.00
(4 servings each)
(pre-measured sauces and spice blends)
(for fresh ingredients)
(explore Japan’s food traditions and geography, including music, movies & books)
(including cooking videos, blogs, recipes)
(4 servings each)
(pre-measured sauces and spice blends)
(for fresh ingredients)
(explore Japan’s food traditions and geography, including music, movies & books)
(including cooking videos, blogs, recipes)
These 3 popular Japanese recipes serve 4 people. Additional spices and sauces or other add ons are available for larger families. Note - Click on recipe mixes for ingredients and nutritional facts.
The word "teriyaki" is a combination of two words - "teri" / "tare" refers to the shine from the sugar glaze and "yaki" refers to the cooking method of grilling or broiling. Teriyaki is believed to have originated around the 17th century in Japan.
Katsu is an abbreviation of "katsuretu" which comes from the English word “cutlet”. Katsu was introduced as a Japanese-western meal in 1899 in Ginza, Tokyo. It is either served as a single dish or in combination with curry and generally with shredded cabbage.
Okonomiyaki ("okonomi" - as you like it, "yaki" - grill) is a savory Japanese pancake, known in the USA as Japanese pizza. It is traditionally made with shredded cabbage and various meats, and is topped with condiments like scallions, red pickled ginger (kizami beni shoga) and green seaweed powder (aonori). Okonomiyaki is mainly associated with the Kansai or Hiroshima areas of Japan.
The word "teriyaki" is a combination of two words - "teri" / "tare" refers to the shine from the sugar glaze and "yaki" refers to the cooking method of grilling or broiling. Teriyaki is believed to have originated around the 17th century in Japan.
Katsu is an abbreviation of "katsuretu" which comes from the English word “cutlet”. Katsu was introduced as a Japanese-western meal in 1899 in Ginza, Tokyo. It is either served as a single dish or in combination with curry and generally with shredded cabbage.
Okonomiyaki ("okonomi" - as you like it, "yaki" - grill) is a savory Japanese pancake, known in the USA as Japanese pizza. It is traditionally made with shredded cabbage and various meats, and is topped with condiments like scallions, red pickled ginger (kizami beni shoga) and green seaweed powder (aonori). Okonomiyaki is mainly associated with the Kansai or Hiroshima areas of Japan.
JAPAN, an island nation in East Asia, is known for its timeless traditions, innovative spirit, and stunning natural beauty. From the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji to bustling Tokyo and serene temples, Japan blends ancient heritage with modern technology. Its culture—rooted in respect, craftsmanship, and harmony - continues to influence art, cuisine, and design around the world. Japanese cuisine is known for its balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors. This kit makes those flavors approachable, even if you have never cooked Japanese food before.
The recommended age for our explore box is 5 years old or older. All our cooking steps are rated by chef hats for complexity and safely, and there are steps for kids 3 or 4 years old to mix or whisk and still be helpful in the kitchen. Teenagers should be able to prepare the full meal by themselves.
We include organic ingredients whenever possible.It is not guaranteed.
All our dried spices are McCormick sourced quality that will last indefinitely. All our sauces are hot-filled and approved by Cornell Food Tech; they will last indefinitely if it is not opened. We don’t put a best by date because we believe in reducing food waste. If your mixes don’t look fresh, we will replace them right away! We produce a new batch of spice/sauce mixes every few weeks.
Yes, most of our packaging materials are recyclable. Just break down the boxes and recycle accordingly.
Overall rating: 4.383889 / 5 from 1589 reviews.
Explore Japan (Family) offers a delightful introduction to Japan's geography, history, music, art, and language, along with essential seasonings and recipes. Customers appreciate the variety and enjoyment of the cuisine and culture, the ease and deliciousness of the recipes, and the fantastic overall experience. However, some find the ingredients challenging to source seasonally, and opinions on the kid-friendliness of the box vary.
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"So far so good. We accidentally used the wrong seasoning packet on our first meal, lol, but it was a great learning experience. So far everything seems easy to follow. I may have more thoughts after a few more boxes."
"We thoroughly enjoyed this Italy kit. It was thoughtfully put together and it makes for a really great few date nights! After doing our first one, we are both looking forward to cooking our next meal from our kitchen together!"
"I provided this to my clients after their cruise to France. They all loved it, and really thought it was unique. They also said that the chicken came out just like the recipe and was so moist and tasty."
"We have gotten all the kits from each country and our family really enjoys them! They're educational, not only for the kids but for us adults as well. The recipes bring us together as we learn facts about different countries, cooking techniques, and trying new food."
"It was such a great experience shopping for the ingredients together as a family and then coming home to cook it together! Such a great learning activity to add to homeschooling. My daughter is 4 and loved this whole experience! She got to learn about Greece too and then eat a dish we personally made. How fun is that!?"
"My 12y made Jamaican Curry. It came out delicious."
"Kids love exploring the world with this subscription. They love cooking the recipes. Instructions are easy to follow, and dishes are delicious! The passport and the flag pins are very exciting for them!"
"We got the apron and the cookbook, which is awesome, but we didn't get the 2 country boxes."
"I got my son the 6 month subscription to start and see how we liked it. So far we have enjoy each month. But all the months we have gotten have been countries from Asia and my son is started getting bored. I wish we would have gotten more of a variety of other countries. Overall we have enjoyed trying new recipes and foods that we wouldn’t have otherwise tried. I definitely would consider renewing our subscription in the future."
"My family and I made Chicken Bulgogi, Namul, and Bidnaetteok. It was all delicious and fun to make. Dak Bulgogi will be a new staple in our household. We love learning about different cultures and culinary experiences."
