When Is Pocky Day, and What Makes It So Special?

Imagine a day dedicated to your favorite snack. Everywhere you look, there is someone enjoying a different flavor. That is the reality for most people in Japan on the 11th of November, every year.

This unofficial but beloved holiday is called Pocky Day. It’s a Japanese event dedicated to celebrating the chocolate-coated biscuit sticks known as Pocky.

Origin and History of Pocky Day

Japanese multinational food company Ezaki Glico created the delicious Pocky sticks in 1966. It turned out to be a widely successful product, as millions of consumers could not get enough of the Japanese chocolate-dipped wafer sticks.

In 1999, Glico declared November 11 as Pocky Day, a marketing event aimed at celebrating the snack and skyrocketing sales nationwide. To make it extra special, the day was also promoted as a celebration of the 11th year of the reign of Emperor Emeritus Akihito (Heisei era). Pocky Day stuck, even getting recognition from renowned bodies like the Japan Anniversary Association.

Today, the holiday is considered a global celebration. Thanks to it, Pocky currently holds the Guiness World Record for the “most mentions of a brand name on Twitter in 24 hours.” This feat was achieved on Pocky Day in 2012 and surpassed on the next one in 2013.

Marking the Calendar: When Is Pocky Day Celebrated?

November 11 is the specific date of Pocky Day. This celebration has taken place annually since it began in 1999. Written numerically as 11/11, the date was chosen to align with the unique shape of the snack. It looks like four Pocky sticks placed side-by-side. The entire month of November is characterized by increased Pocky sales at stores and online markets.

Pocky is not the only snack to choose November 11 as its unofficial holiday. Ezaki Glico also markets the date as Pretz Day, an event dedicated to their brand of thin biscuits coated with seasoning. In Korea, 11/11 is Pepero Day, in honor of Lotte Wellfood‘s chocolate-coated biscuit sticks.

Pocky Day Celebrations: A Look at Festivities in Japan

Pocky Day is a fun annual tradition that appeals to lovers of Japanese pop culture. There are many ways to celebrate it, including the following:

• Eating Pocky: Enjoying a serving of Pocky stick is one of the easiest ways to celebrate this special day. There are tonnes of different flavors and varieties available in Japanese supermarkets, convenience stores (konbini), and grocery stores. These businesses restock their shelves in November as they anticipate the holiday festivities.

• Sharing: Pocky Day is also about sharing the sweetness of the treats with your loved ones. Friends, family, and even colleagues have been known to give each other Pocky sweets in November.

  

• Glico Challenges: Pocky’s parent brand has always targeted youths and social media users. On Pocky Day, they tend to take their efforts further by hosting fun social media challenges. These challenges range from sharing photos of the snack to uploading dance videos.

Global Reach: How Pocky Day Is Celebrated Worldwide

The popularity of this special day has spread globally. Members of Japanese communities and fans of the culture in diverse countries like the United States celebrate Pocky Day. On November 11, you can buy and eat the snacks from a local Asian market or online store.

Fans worldwide share these treats with their Japanese friends, families, and acquaintances. Glico doesn’t restrict its social media challenges to Japanese fans. People from all over the world can participate in the fun.

Pocky Flavors Galore: Exploring the Variety

People enjoy a diverse range of Pocky flavors on Pocky Day. These varieties range from limited edition sweets to regional flavors. Let’s explore the most popular ones:

• Crunchy Strawberry: This special flavor is made by coating cocoa biscuit sticks with strawberry cream. The slightly bitter taste of cocoa blends perfectly with the tartness of strawberries. It comes with an exterior coating of freeze-dried strawberry crumbs, which creates a bumpy texture that has earned it the nickname “tsubu tsubu” on the streets of Japan.

Quick shop for Glico Pocky: Crunchy Strawberry

Glico Pocky: Crunchy Strawberry

A fruity, chocolatey treat you'll love, this Pocky's lightly bitter cocoa biscuit nicely complements its sweet and tart chocolate coating made with real strawberry powder. And here’s a berry nice fact - this type of Pocky is called tsubu tsubu (bumpy) in Japan for its crunchy freeze-dried strawberry crumbles on the outside!

Common Allergens: Milk, Tree Nuts, Wheat, Soy. May also contain: Eggs, Peanuts.

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Bokksu is not responsible for the accuracy of the products’ nutritional or allergen information. Warning: California’s Proposition 65 may be in effect. For more information,visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

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• Milk Chocolate: This is an improved version of the classic Pocky. The flavor profile is simple. It’s made with a biscuit stick partially dipped in milk chocolate.

• Almond Crush: This product brings the nutty taste of toasted almonds to Pocky fans in Asia. It has double the regular amount of chocolate cream coating.

• Trinity Orange Peel: This candy-coated biscuit snack is a seasonal Pocky released in autumn, right around Pocky Day. It’s one of the most popular treats during the event. The biscuits are mixed with candied almond peel.

• Gorojima Kintoki Sweet Potato: This regional flavor uses special sweet potatoes from Hokoriku, Japan. It’s the perfect snack for autumn and on Pocky Day.

Is Pocky a Healthy Snack Option? Nutritional Insights

The nutritional content of Pocky varies with flavor. The smallest pack weighs around 40 g (or 1.41 oz). Each one contains 120 to 200 calories. It also has a high carbohydrate and fat content. Most Pocky snacks contain a small amount of protein and an even smaller amount of dietary fiber. While Pocky is not the healthiest snack in the world, it remains a reliable source of energy when enjoyed in moderation.

Pocky Day is a cultural event, and eating Pocky sticks is part of the celebration. Take note of the number of sticks per serving size, and avoid exceeding that number in one go. This will allow you to create a perfect balance through occasional indulgence in cultural festivities.

The Pocky Game: A Fun and Social Snack Challenge

The Pocky Game is one of the most popular games played at social gatherings in Japan. All you need to play Pocky Game is a Pocky Stick and a partner. The objective of the game is to have both participants maintain the same posture and nibble on either end of a Pocky stick until one of them reaches the center without dropping or breaking the stick. New participants can be chosen by spinning an empty bottle.

Unlike mastering board games, it doesn’t take much to be a great Pocky Game player. Just remember to brush your teeth and be respectful.

The Pocky Challenge: Creative Ways Fans Celebrate.

Every year, social media users anticipate the announcement of the next Pocky Challenge by Ezaki Glico. The challenges typically range from simple to mildly complex. For example, all fans had to do was share photos of themselves enjoying Pocky in 2015. However, in 2022, they had to go as far as making a heart out of Pocky boxes and sharing it to loved ones on camera. In some cases, the task might involve a dance, such as the Pocky Baton Challenge on Tiktok in 2023. There is even a “Pocky Dance” that has been popular on Tiktok for over a year.

Cultural Impact: Pocky in Media and Advertising

Glico has launched several advertising campaigns featuring local celebrities and social media influencers. Their impact on pop culture has made it cool for adults to enjoy sweets. They also promote the culture of sharing snacks with loved ones. Furthermore, the snack has appeared in several anime series, including Naruto, School Rumble, and X 1999.

Pocky and Fashion: Collaborations and Merchandise

The snack brand has done several collaborations with companies from other industries. In 2019, it entered a partnership with Japanese fashion brand UNIQLO to create Pocky UT t-shirts. Pocky has also collaborated with the entertainment company Sanrio to create special edition Pocky boxes.

DIY Pocky Recipes: Celebrating at Home

To celebrate Pocky Day, here are some Pocky-inspired treats you can make at home:

• Grind matcha or green tea-flavored Pocky into fine grains and use it as a crust for cheesecake.

• Top or decorate macarons with Pocky Cookies & Cream.

• Use Pocky to decorate the exterior of homemade cake

Join the Fun: How You Can Participate in Pocky Day This Year

Check out Bokksu Market Magazine for an in-depth exploration of what Pocky is, its history, and the various flavors available. Get involved with Pocky Day celebrations by trying new flavors, participating in challenges, or simply enjoying Pocky with friends. Find Pocky products in our store, and we’ll deliver them to your home.