Pocky and Pretz Day 2026

• November 11, 2026
  Event date:
• November 11, 2026
  Event end:

Overview

Head into any convenience store or supermarket snack food aisle in Japan, and you’re bound to see two main players on the shelves: Pocky and Pretz. Both are stick-shaped, but Pocky are dipped in chocolate, whereas Pretz are sprinkled with a variety of seasonings. They come in a wide range of flavors, with many seasonal options available at different times of the year. Pocky varieties have included the likes of sweet potato, pineapple, and chestnut, and Pretz varieties run the gamut with offerings like basil, cheese, and bacon flavors to name just a few.

A unique foodie-themed event held each year is Pocky and Pretz Day, a celebration of these much-loved snacks. What is the significance of the date? The date looks like the long and thin stick-shaped goodies. Four sticks lined up in a row resemble four number ones. If you ever needed a reason to enjoy some deliciousness guilt-free, mark your calendars and save the date.

Pocky and Pretz are made by Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd., a long-established manufacturer of snacks in Japan. Glico had been manufacturing Pretz, a pretzel stick product, and in 1965 decided to cover Pretz in chocolate, except for an inch at the end so that the chocolate doesn’t melt in hands. That chocolate-covered version became Pocky. Since 1966, there have been over 19 billion boxes of Pocky sold, and the number of boxes estimated to be sold every year is somewhere in the 500 million box range. Pocky has been certified by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS as the world’s best-selling chocolate-coated biscuit stick.

What Makes This Food Event Special

What makes Pocky and Pretz Day special is its perfect blend of clever numerology, national participation, and snack culture.

Certified Anniversary Day: In 1999, the 11th year of Heisei, Ezaki Glico established the 11th day of the 11th month as Pocky and Pretz Day because these snacks, being stick-shaped, are similar to the number 1. It was officially certified by the Japan Anniversary Association. This auspicious day with many ones has become one of Japan’s most recognized food anniversary days.

Resembles the Snack Itself: The date 11/11 looks like four Pocky and Pretz sticks lined up in a row. This visual pun makes it instantly memorable and highly Instagrammable. On social media, illustrators, cosplayers, idols, and everyday fans post photos and videos featuring the snacks to mark the occasion.

Largest Scale Chocolate Biscuit Celebration: Pocky Day is celebrated not only in Japan but also across Asia, Europe, and the US, with Glico promoting the concept of Share Happiness. The day has become a global event with campaigns like Kanpai Share Happy Fes, Smile Counter campaign, and Twitter campaigns where followers tweet to fill in blanks.

Department Store and Convenience Store Takeover: On this day, department stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores across Japan create special displays, offering all Pocky and Pretz flavors on sale with discounts. One famous display announced a discount of 11 yen, playing on the number 11.

From Savory to Sweet in One Day: The pairing of Pocky, which is dainty and delicate, dipped in chocolate, and Pretz, which is a touch heartier, giving a satisfying crunch, allows both sweet and savory cravings to be celebrated together.

Food, Cuisine & Specialties

The cuisine is snack food, but with remarkable diversity and seasonal artistry that reflects Japan’s love for shun, seasonal local food.

Pocky Varieties: Pocky consists of thin biscuit sticks coated in flavors. Core flavors include chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, peanut butter, almond crush, coconut, and cookies and cream. Seasonal limited editions include:

Spring: Sakura Matcha, cherry blossom, strawberry, honey

Summer: Kiwifruit mango, pineapple, coconut, lychee, coffee, banana

Autumn: Sweet potato, chestnut, pumpkin spice, Kuromitsu Kinako Japanese molasses and sweet roasted soybean powder, maple, Mont Blanc

Winter: Double Rich Matcha, dark matcha with two matcha varieties including Uji matcha, winter melon, chocolate mint

Pocky Double Rich Matcha and Pocky Cherry Blossom Sakura Matcha are examples of reimagined traditional ingredients into trendy temporary formats.

Pretz Varieties: Pretz is savory and without sweet coating, sprinkled with seasonings. Flavors include:

Classic: Salad, roast, tomato, butter, corn, pizza, honey mustard, cacao, cheese, bacon

Seasonal: Sweet potato in the fall, sakura in the spring, basil, roasted butter

Regional and International: Hainanese Chicken Rice, Chili Crab, and other Southeast Asian regional savory exclusives created for overseas markets

Pretz Roast flavor has the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread, while salad flavor is light and herbaceous.

Family Packs and Gift Sets: Both brands offer family packs, Halloween packs, and gift bundles designed for sharing. Halloween Pretz Family Pack and Halloween Pocky Family Pack are popular in autumn, while Valentine gift sets dominate winter.

Chefs, Restaurants & Food Vendors

The main vendor is Ezaki Glico itself, but the celebration extends to retailers and collaborators.

Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd.: The manufacturer and organizer of Pocky and Pretz Day since 1999. Glico’s headquarters and all production facilities have acquired ISO14001 Environmental Management System certification. Glico runs campaigns, social media events, and in-store displays. Their website goes live with special content and online store bundles for the day.

Convenience Stores: Lawson, FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, and Ministop create dedicated end-cap displays with all flavors on sale. They often offer exclusive flavors or early releases for the day.

Department Stores: Department stores like Hankyu, Takashimaya, Isetan, and Daimaru host special Pocky and Pretz corners with gift wrapping and limited editions. Some stores like Hankyu Umeda create theater-style markets for the day.

Supermarkets: Supermarkets nationwide, including Aeon, Ito-Yokado, and Life, offer bulk discounts and family packs.

Collaborating Cafes and Restaurants: Some cafes create Pocky and Pretz themed desserts for the day, such as Pocky-topped parfaits, Pretz-crusted fried foods, and chocolate fondue with Pocky sticks for dipping.

Online Store: Glico USA Online Store and Glico’s Japanese online store offer seasonal limited bundles, allowing fans worldwide to participate even if they cannot visit Japan.

Food Experience

The experience is about sharing happiness, collecting flavors, and playful participation.

Share Happiness Campaign: Glico’s core concept for Pocky Day is Share Happiness. The idea is that Pocky is a snack meant to be shared, with one box containing many sticks to distribute among friends. Campaigns encourage toasting with Pocky alongside social media friends and celebrities, known as Kanpai Share Happy Fes.

Hunting Seasonal Flavors: A major part of the experience is hunting for seasonal limited flavors that are only available for a short time. For example, Kuromitsu Kinako Pocky is a seasonal variety you should bring home as a souvenir if you are visiting Japan in autumn. Collectors try to find all regional and seasonal editions.

Discount and Gacha Fun: Stores announce sales where all Pocky and Pretz flavors are on sale with a discount of 11 yen, or buy 11 get 11 campaigns. Some stores run gacha-style lucky draws where you win extra boxes.

Social Media Participation: On social media, users post photos of 11/11 displays, create art using Pocky sticks to form numbers and letters, and participate in hashtag campaigns. Illustrators draw characters holding Pocky like the number 1. The Pocky Blade art, where an artist carves sharp blades from Pocky, showcases creative fandom.

Tasting Comparison: The experience involves comparing Pocky and Pretz side by side: the dainty, delicate chocolate-coated Pocky versus the heartier, crunchy, savory Pretz. Many people do taste tests of basil Pretz versus cheese Pretz, or sweet potato Pocky versus chestnut Pocky.

Guilt-Free Indulgence: The official messaging says if you ever needed a reason to enjoy some deliciousness guilt-free, this is it. The day gives permission to snack freely and share generously.

Date & Schedule

Location: Nationwide across Japan, with main celebrations in convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores

Date: November 11th, 2026

Pocky and Pretz Day is officially certified as November 11th, written as 11/11, because the shape of the popular stick snacks resembles the number 1. Ezaki Glico designated this date as Pocky and Pretz Day and received certification from the Japan Anniversary Association in 1999, in Heisei 11, an auspicious year with many ones.

Typical Schedule Based on Previous Editions:

Pre-Day – November 10th: Many retailers begin displays a day early, with early-bird sales, online store launches, and social media countdowns. Department stores set up special corners and begin selling limited editions.

Main Day – November 11th: The main celebration. From 11:11 AM, many campaigns begin, playing on the time 11:11. For example, Glico has run Twitter campaigns where if you follow pockypretz11 on Twitter and tweet to fill in blanks from 11:11 AM to 12:10:59 PM, you are eligible to receive various snacks. Convenience stores and supermarkets have full displays with 11 yen discounts and buy-11 campaigns. Educational panels and in-store events occur at department stores.

Online Campaigns: Online sales and social media campaigns run throughout both days, with the Glico online store offering bundles and limited flavors. The Share Happiness Smile Counter campaign counts the number of happiness shared globally on Pocky Day.

Post-Day: Some sales continue for a few days after, especially online, allowing those who missed to still purchase seasonal flavors.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Location & Venue

The venue is everywhere, as Pocky and Pretz are ubiquitous in Japan.

Nationwide Convenience Stores and Supermarkets: Head into any convenience store or supermarket snack food aisle in Japan, and you will see Pocky and Pretz displays. For Pocky and Pretz Day, these aisles become festival aisles with special signage, balloons, and sometimes life-size Pocky boxes.

Department Stores: Major department stores in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and other cities host larger displays with gift wrapping services and limited editions. Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Isetan Shinjuku, and Takashimaya are known for elaborate displays.

Glico Headquarters – Osaka: Ezaki Glico’s headquarters in Osaka often hosts internal celebrations and sometimes public events. The Glico running man sign in Dotonbori, Osaka, is often decorated for Pocky Day.

Online Venue: The Glico USA Online Store and Japanese online store serve as virtual venues, offering seasonal limited bundles, family packs, and gifts and bundles shop.

No Single Ticketed Venue: Unlike ticketed food festivals, Pocky and Pretz Day has no single venue requiring entry. It is a decentralized celebration that you can participate in at any store, at home, or online.

Getting to the Event

Getting to the event is as simple as going to your nearest snack aisle.

By Walking to Nearest Store: Since Pocky and Pretz are sold in virtually every convenience store and supermarket in Japan, you can walk to your nearest Lawson, FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, or Aeon supermarket. No special travel is needed.

In Japan’s Major Cities: In Tokyo, visit Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Tokyo Station’s department store basements for elaborate displays. In Osaka, visit Umeda’s Hankyu and Hanshin department stores. In Kyoto, visit Kyoto Station’s Isetan.

Outside Japan: For international fans, Glico USA Online Store offers Pocky and Pretz for purchase, including seasonal limited editions like Pocky Fall Flavors, Halloween packs, and Pocky Pumpkin Spice. Asian supermarkets worldwide also stock Pocky and Pretz.

No Parking Needed: Because the event is at your local store, paid parking is not an issue. If visiting a department store, paid parking is available at nearby lots, but public transport is recommended.

Accessibility: All convenience stores and department stores are accessible with flat entrances and aisles wide enough for wheelchairs. Online participation is fully accessible.

Where to Stay Nearby

Since the event is nationwide and not tied to a single location, accommodation is flexible.

If Visiting Japan for Pocky and Pretz Day: Stay in any major city. Business hotels such as Toyoko Inn, APA Hotel, and Dormy Inn are near convenience stores and cost from $50.00 to $90.00 per night. Luxury hotels like Park Hyatt Tokyo or Ritz-Carlton Osaka offer easy access to department store displays.

In Osaka – Near Glico Headquarters: Hotels near Dotonbori and Umeda such as Hotel Hankyu International, Cross Hotel Osaka, and Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba are ideal for experiencing the Glico running man and department store displays. Prices range from $80.00 to $250.00 per night.

In Tokyo: Hotels near Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Tokyo Station provide easy access to department store Valentine and Pocky displays. Prices from $70.00 to $200.00 per night.

Booking Tips: November is autumn foliage season and a popular travel time, so booking 2 to 4 weeks ahead is recommended. Many hotels offer convenience store breakfast and have Pocky in their gift shops.

Home Participation: No hotel needed if you participate from home via online store. Order family packs and share with friends.

Things to Do Before or After the Event

Combine Pocky and Pretz Day with other Japanese food culture experiences.

Visit Ezaki Glico Factory: In Saitama, the Glico factory offers tours where you can see Pocky and Pretz being made, with tastings included. Advance reservation required.

Explore Depachika: Visit department store basement food floors, depachika, where you can find elaborate bento, sweets, and seasonal foods, including Pocky displays.

Try Other 11/11 Foods: November 11 is also celebrated as Cheese Day, Kishimen Day, and other foods that are long and thin. Try comparing Pocky with other stick foods.

Create Pocky Art: Before or after, try creating art using Pocky sticks, such as the Pocky Blade sharp sculptures or arranging Pocky to form letters and numbers for social media posts.

Share Happiness with Friends: Host a Pocky and Pretz tasting party, buying many seasonal flavors like sweet potato, pineapple, chestnut, basil, cheese, and bacon, and have friends vote for favorites.

Visit Convenience Store Food Culture: Explore other Japanese convenience store snacks like Caplico, Pejoy, and Friend Bakery products from Glico.

Restaurants & Local Food to Try

While Pocky and Pretz are snacks, they pair well with other foods and inspire culinary creativity.

Pairing with Coffee and Tea: Pocky Double Rich Matcha pairs beautifully with Japanese green tea, while chocolate Pocky pairs with coffee. Many cafes offer Pocky with coffee sets for around $4.00 to $6.00.

Pocky-Topped Desserts: Many cafes and restaurants create desserts topped with Pocky, such as parfaits, soft cream, and cakes. For example, roll cake plates with ganache cream using pure fresh cream from Hokkaido wrapped in moist dough with bean-to-bar chocolate are popular.

Pretz as Ingredient: Pretz can be crushed and used as a crunchy topping for salads, soups, and fried foods. Some izakaya offer Pretz-crusted karaage fried chicken.

Glico’s Other Products: Try Glico’s other snacks like Pejoy, which is like Pocky but with filling inside, Caplico, a cone-shaped snack, and Friend Bakery, a range of baked snacks.

Japanese Convenience Store Snacks: Beyond Pocky and Pretz, try Hi-Chew, Ramune soda, and other Glico products available in the same aisle.

Dining in Osaka: If near Glico headquarters, try Osaka’s famous takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu, which are savory snacks that complement Pretz’s savory profile.

Dietary & Food Allergy Information

Pocky and Pretz contain common allergens, and ingredient awareness is important.

Allergen Information: Pocky contains wheat, milk, soy, and may contain eggs and nuts depending on flavor. Chocolate Pocky contains milk and soy. Strawberry Pocky contains milk and soy. Pretz contains wheat, soy, and may contain milk, depending on flavor. Salad flavor contains wheat and soy. Roast flavor contains wheat, milk, and soy.

Nuts: Many Pocky flavors like almond crush, coconut, and peanut butter contain nuts. Some Pretz flavors may contain traces of nuts through cross-contact.

Gluten: Both Pocky and Pretz contain wheat flour, so they are not gluten-free. Pretz is essentially a pretzel stick, so gluten-free options are not available in the standard lineup.

Vegetarian and Vegan: Most Pocky contains milk and may contain eggs, so vegetarian options are limited. Some dark chocolate Pocky may be closer to vegan but still contains milk. Pretz salad flavor may be vegetarian but contains soy. Vegan-certified options are not standard.

Halal: Halal-certified Pocky and Pretz are not widely available in Japan, though some export versions for Southeast Asia may have halal certification. Check packaging for halal marks.

Language Support: Packaging is primarily in Japanese with some English. Ingredient lists are in Japanese, but major allergens are highlighted. Translation apps help.

Ticket Information

Pocky and Pretz Day is a free, decentralized celebration with no tickets required.

Admission: There is no admission fee. You participate by visiting convenience stores, supermarkets, or department stores, or by ordering online. No tickets are needed.

Snack Pricing Based on Previous Editions: Pocky and Pretz are affordable snacks.

Regular Box: A standard box of Pocky or Pretz, containing about 2 to 3 packs inside, costs $1.50 to $2.50 per box.

Large Share Pack: Family packs and large share packs containing 8 to 10 small bags cost $5.00 to $9.00.

Seasonal Limited and Gift Sets: Seasonal limited flavors and gift sets, such as Kuromitsu Kinako Pocky or Double Rich Matcha, cost $3.00 to $6.00 per box. Special gift bundles and premium boxes from department stores range from $10.00 to $25.00.

Discounts on Pocky and Pretz Day: Many stores offer special discounts on the day, such as 11 yen off per box, buy 11 get 1 free, or 11 percent off. Some stores run gacha draws where you win extra boxes.

Online Pricing: Glico USA Online Store offers packs from $12.00 for variety packs of 10 boxes to $25.00 for seasonal bundles.

Payment: At physical stores, cash, credit cards, IC cards, and QR payments are accepted. Online stores accept credit cards and PayPal.

Official Event Information

Event Name: Pocky and Pretz Day, also known as Pocky and Pretz Day, Pocky Day, and 11/11 Pocky and Pretz Day

Location: Nationwide across Japan in convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, and online at Glico online store

Format: Decentralized food anniversary celebration with in-store displays, online sales, social media campaigns, and educational panels

Organizer: Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd., certified by Japan Anniversary Association since 1999

Official Website URL as Text: en.japantravel.com/osaka/valentine-chocolate-expo-2022/68482 and glico.com for corporate history and Pocky and Pretz Day information

Additional Official Information as Text: holidayscalendar.com and grapeejapan.com for coverage of Pocky and Pretz Day celebrations

Contact: Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. customer service via official website

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