Melt-in-your-mouth Bug Bug Chocolate, with 60,000 units sold in record time — Kobayashi Honten :: Japan

Text & Photo = Ike Hiromi

A cluster of colorful, chubby caterpillars... would you dare to eat them? These are Japan’s most beloved treats among both kids and adults — Bug Bug Chocolate (毛毛虫巧克力)! Don’t underestimate these incredibly lifelike bugs; not only are they handmade, but one particular version has already sold nearly 60,000 units, making it an absolute bestseller.

Japanese children are very fond of insects, and various insect-shaped sweets have become a recent trend. Kobayashi Honten, the creator of “Larva Chocolate,” gained fame as a result. The shop’s owner, Mr. Kobayashi, was inspired to make bug chocolates after visiting an insect exhibition several years ago. This bold idea unexpectedly shot the store to stardom. It has been featured across media outlets and trend magazines, and many people travel from all over Japan to Akita just to try the super “Kawaii” (cute) bugs everyone’s talking about.

Kobayashi Honten is located in Tanaka-cho, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture. While the store sells traditional Japanese sweets and cookies as souvenirs, the Bug series remains their top-selling item. Currently, the Beetle Larva Chocolate is their best performer, with almost 60,000 units sold. It's become the must-have chocolate that Japanese kids beg their grandparents to buy, and it's also popular among young people who use it as an unusual and fun prank gift.