Affordable yet undeniably delicious, Royce' has consistently been the top choice for Hokkaido souvenirs. From the beloved 'Potatochip Chocolate' cherished by all ages to a wide array of unique chocolate confections, we'll introduce the origins of Royce', its commitment to confectionery, and four of its most classic and popular treats.

Royce' was founded in 1983 with the ambition to "create chocolate in Hokkaido that rivals the best of Europe." The world of chocolate is limitless, with flavors created by the origin and type of cacao, as well as their blends. It pairs well with various ingredients and can be processed in countless ways—molded, coated, or mixed into dough. Royce' is dedicated to exploring these infinite possibilities through daily development and manufacturing.

Royce' values "Quality," "Originality," and "Price." They search the globe for ideal ingredients like cacao, liquors, and nuts. Their constant aim is to create chocolates that surprise and delight with unique textures, flavors, and combinations, all while ensuring they remain affordable for everyday enjoyment.

"Royce' Chocolate World," opened at New Chitose Airport in 2011

In 1995, Royce' began year-round sales of its signature Nama Chocolate, and in 2002, it launched the now-classic Potatochip Chocolate. In 2011, they opened "Royce' Chocolate World" at New Chitose Airport, featuring Japan's first in-airport chocolate factory.

Royce's iconic 'Nama Chocolate'

The dream of Royce' as a chocolate maker—"to handle every step from cacao bean cultivation to the final chocolate bar"—was realized in 2014 with the establishment of their own cacao farm, "Royce' Cacao Farm in Colombia."

"Cacao beans, much like coffee beans or wine grapes, develop surprisingly different characteristics depending on their origin. The cacao beans from our farm in Colombia have a unique flavor that can only be created there. By managing cultivation ourselves, we can decide which varieties to plant, how to process the beans, and how to finish the chocolate once the beans arrive in Japan. We can pursue perfection at every step to deliver a flavor we are truly satisfied with. Even with the same cacao beans, the final taste changes depending on the processing and finishing methods. We want everyone to discover the deliciousness and excitement of chocolate, with all its potential and charm, and to love it even more," says a company spokesperson.

Chocolate made from their own farm's cacao beans is sold exclusively at the Royce' Town Factory Shop in Tobetsu, Hokkaido, as part of the "Royce' Farm to Bar" series. Adjacent to it, the interactive facility "Royce' Cacao & Chocolate Town" allows visitors to experience and learn about the Farm to Bar process through exhibits and factory tours.

The interactive facility "Royce' Cacao & Chocolate Town" was established with the hope that people will "come to love chocolate even more."

*Farm to Bar refers to the practice of a company managing the entire process from the farm to the final chocolate bar.
*Not all chocolate sold by Royce' uses cacao from their own farm. Only products sold as part of the "Royce' Farm to Bar" series use cacao from their farm.

'Nama Chocolate [Au Lait]' 1,215 yen

While Royce' continues to explore the infinite possibilities of chocolate, its most iconic product is the "Nama Chocolate." It was born from a simple idea: what if you could eat just the soft ganache filling from inside a truffle, the epitome of luxury chocolate?

Initially sold only during winter at their direct stores, year-round sales began at New Chitose Airport in 1995. It was a sweet that defied the convention of souvenirs at the time by requiring refrigeration. However, word-of-mouth spread among flight attendants that "there's delicious chocolate at New Chitose Airport," and it became a massive hit.

The defining features of Royce's Nama Chocolate are its incredible softness and silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The secret to this deliciousness is Hokkaido's fresh cream. While the official standard for Nama Chocolate requires "a moisture content of 10% or more and fresh cream of 10% or more of the total weight(*)," Royce's Nama Chocolate has a moisture content of about 17%. By using a generous amount of fresh cream, they achieve an exceptionally smooth texture.
*Regulation set by the Fair Trade Council.

Its diverse lineup is another major appeal. From the classic Au Lait that everyone can enjoy, to alcohol-free versions for children, and more adult-oriented options with a kick of liquor, there are numerous variations. They also offer seasonal limited editions featuring fruits, nuts, or inspired by tiramisu and cherry blossoms. Trying a few to find your favorite is part of the fun.

'Potatochip Chocolate [Original]' 1,188 yen

No discussion of Royce' is complete without mentioning "Potatochip Chocolate." The product's development began when company president Mr. Yamazaki was inspired by a chocolate he saw in the United States, thinking, "Combining chocolate with potatoes, a specialty of Hokkaido, would make a great souvenir."

Although the potato chips are now coated with chocolate on only one side, they were initially coated on both. Through continuous improvements, the chocolate is now applied to just one side to preserve the crisp texture and savory flavor of the potato. The chips are also ripple-cut to ensure the perfect balance of chocolate coverage.

At the time of its release, there were concerns within the company about whether the unusual combination of sweet and salty would be accepted. However, word-of-mouth spread about its "addictive deliciousness," and it has since become one of Royce's flagship products, often drawing long lines at Hokkaido product fairs.

'Pure Chocolate' 729 yen each

For those who want to savor the authentic taste of chocolate, "Pure Chocolate" is the perfect choice. This product is crafted with carefully selected, simple ingredients—cacao mass, sugar, milk (powdered milk), and cocoa butter—to achieve the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth experience.

The key to this texture is cocoa butter, the fat from cacao beans. It has the unique property of melting rapidly at a temperature close to human body heat. To maximize this effect, Royce' uses no other fats and has given the chocolate a wavy surface to increase the contact area in the mouth, allowing body heat to transfer more quickly.

With 12 varieties available, from white chocolate with a rich milky flavor and smooth milk chocolate to high-cacao chocolate with a pleasant bitterness, there's something for everyone. The colorful packaging also makes it a perfect small gift.

'Pistache Chocolat' 1,944 yen

For a souvenir that shows off your good taste, consider "Pistache Chocolat." This luxurious treat features a fragrant and rich pistachio cream mixed with two types of pistachios—deep-roasted and salted—all encased in milk chocolate.

Since you can slice it to your desired thickness, it's perfect for sharing. The cross-section, revealing a pistachio cream packed with pistachio pieces, is incredibly tempting. The outer milk chocolate is a smooth variety with a hint of strawberry acidity, making it delightfully easy to eat.

This is a dream dessert for pistachio lovers, designed to bring out the maximum aroma and flavor of the nuts.

*Information is current as of the article's publication date.
*Information may change. Please check the official website for the latest details.