Kokoro Care Packages

What's in the box: A themed seasonal mix of Japanese artisanal foods such as snacks and sweets, teas, soups, pickles, seasonings and other pantry items.

Kokoro Care Packages is a Japanese food subscription that focuses on artisanal pantry goods rather than mass-market candy. The company describes its products as 100% natural, made in Japan and handcrafted, and the catalog fits that description: smoked pickled daikon, yuzu miso, fermented chili paste, black vinegar, shiitake furikake, matcha soba, tofu jerky and roasted green tea yokan. The current seasonal package, 'Fall Colors', is built around autumn comfort foods such as Beni Haruka sweet potato treats and mushroom items. Gift and subscription packages ship free, and prices include import duties for the US and Canada, so you shouldn't get customs fees on delivery. You can also buy items individually, there is a Beginner Box for newcomers, and a 'Mottainai' sale section discounts food to keep it from going to waste. The main page doesn't clearly state box sizes or exact contents, so read the package pages before you subscribe. If you want Pocky or viral snack hauls, look elsewhere. This box suits cooks and curious eaters who want regional Japanese ingredients that are hard to find at a typical Asian grocery. Several seasonal items were sold out, which suggests the products come in small batches.