There are a lot of Japanese chain stores in Taiwan. Supermarkets, drug stores, furniture, home goods, knick knacks, etc. While the type of stores vary, there is one constant for all of them...they sell japanese snacks. At first it can be a bit disconcerting to be in an electronics store and then see a rack of japanese flavored marshmallows, but soon you learn to roll with it.
It's clever business. Not only is it one way to get unique Japanese snacks into Taiwan for people to try, but it also can get people to come into the store. The above picture is from a japanese Bed, Bath, and Beyond type of store. they usually have a lot of unique snacks, so I will pop in from time to time just to see what they have. The above picture is just dried fruit and meats, not so special, but on another rack where more unique items, but the picture didn't turn out well, and you didn't get to see a lovely shot of my finger.
For as special as some of the things are, I have never actually bought any. It's usually because it's something that i don't think should be packaged. Like a brownie. Yes i am dying for a brownie, and yes their bags are vacuum sealed. But somehow a brownie in a bag just doesn't seem appetizing.
