In my previous post about Hinamatsuri, I strongly recommended trying Hina Arare (sweet rice puffs). So, leading up to the festival, I’m going to introduce a few different varieties for you.
The one I’m sharing today is “Kinchaku Sanrio Characters Hina Arare”—a super cute snack that you can easily find at Japanese supermarkets 🎀
Adorable Sanrio Characters in Hinamatsuri Kimono
Sanrio characters are dressed up as Hinamatsuri dolls! The main stars are Cinnamoroll (シナモロール) as the Prince and Hello Kitty (ハローキティ) as the Princess.
In the background, you can also spot Pochacco (ポチャッコ), Pompompurin (ポムポムプリン), and Little Twin Stars (リトルツインスターズ).
The package is designed to stand upright, so you can display it as a decoration in your room.
The rice puffs inside come in three colors: white, green, and pink (check out my previous Hinamatsuri post to learn about the meaning of these colors).
Airy Texture and a Gentle, Natural Taste
It’s so light that if you blew on it, it would probably fly a whole meter!
It’s not hard at all, but the structure is airy, giving it a delightful crunch that’s somewhere between “sakusaku” and “zakuzaku.”
The flavor is a delicate balance of mildly sweet syrup and a hint of salt. Since the seasoning is very mild, you can really taste the natural aroma and sweetness of the rice as you chew.
Unlike its colorful appearance, there are no artificial scents or flavors—just a simple, wholesome, and gentle taste. Personally, I love it, but I think opinions might be split.
If you’re used to snacks with strong, bold flavors, you might find this one a bit “vague” or plain…
But after about five pieces, it becomes strangely addictive. Because the flavor is so soft and subtle, you find yourself wanting “one more” just to explore the taste more deeply. I’d love for people who usually prefer bold snacks to give this a try too ✨
By the way, when I ate a green one, I thought for a second, “Wait, did I just taste seaweed (Nori)?”
I was terrified when I checked the ingredient list later and found absolutely no Nori in it! 😆 In Japan, most green savory snacks are Nori (seaweed) flavored, so my brain was completely tricked. The power of color influence on taste is truly something…
By the way, there are also Hina Arare that feature actual Nori flavor—a must-try for savory snack lovers!
Product Details
| Product Name | Kinchaku Sanrio Characters Hina Arare (巾着サンリオキャラクターズ ひなあられ) |
| Manufacturer | Befco (Kuriyama Beika / 栗山米菓) |
| Price | 250–300 yen |
| Shelf Life | 6 months (as indicated on the back of the package) |
| Allergens | Free from |
| Ingredients | non-glutinous rice, sugar, vegetable oil, salt, etc |
The main ingredient here is “Uruchimai” (non-glutinous rice).
As mentioned in my article about Hinamatsuri, in the case of “Hina Arare,” it is still called “Arare” even if it’s made from something other than glutinous rice.
▼ Wait, what exactly is Arare? Check this out! ✨
▼ If you are new to Hinamatsuri, be sure to check out our “Hinamatsuri Overview”!
