Well loved by Uchimura Kohei, a Japanese Olympic Gold medalist in gymnastics, Black Thunder has its origins in Yuraku confectionary’s Tokyo headquarters, the “YURAKU CHOCOLATE SHOP”.

The place is located within Kodaira city, a 6-minute walk away from the Seibu Hajima Line’s Higashi-Yamatoshi Station. While it was originally just a contact window on the side that sold a small amount of limited-edition goods, it was renovated to make it easier for the locals to use, as the brand is synonymous with the area, according to the store manager Ishikawa. What’s more, this is the only store that internalizes the consumption tax, so the prices here are pretty much unbeatable for whatever they carry!

Here, you can find region-exclusive Black Thunder snacks normally sold at airports or product exhibitions., as well as products usually made at the Tokyo factory.

The Hokkaido-exclusive “White Black Thunder - Mini-size Big Share Pack” has 48 packs for 1200-yen (tax inclusive). About half the size of the regular Black Thunders, it’s perfect for sharing with your friends and family.

Regular-sized boxes are also available containing 12 pieces a pack for 600-yen or 3 pieces a pack for 180-yen (tax inclusive), which are also great for giving out.

The combination of chocolate cookies coated in white chocolate is a match made in heaven, and even the 3-piece pack is sufficient to give out to many people.

Another Hokkaido-exclusive, the “Melo~ny Black Thunder is also available (800-yen for a pack of 12, tax inclusive), which is no longer available in Hokkaido.

The Tokyo-exclusive “Tokyo Black Thunder” is a name stay product in Asakusa, a collaborative item with the veteran shop “Asakusa Tokiwado”. In the middle is the traditional Asakusa thunder cracker, which gives a smoother and sharper flavor compared to the usual cookie used in regular Black Thunder snacks. Sure to be enjoyed by generations both old and new, it costs 800-yen for a 24-pack set (tax inclusive).

While Black Thunder is certainly a well-known snack in Japan, people might still perceive the Yuraku confectionery as nothing but a maker of cheap snacks. However, they seem to also be in the market of producing high-end chocolate!

Inside the display case lies a chocolate bar of authentic high-grade chocolate! Price varies from 100 to 200-yen a bar (tax inclusive). Since they don’t use ganache chocolate, you can keep them for long periods even at room temperature in the middle of summer.

They also come in a set of 6, costing from 700-yen to 1000-yen (tax inclusive) packaged in a classy container, a perfect gift for your superiors at work.

The “Deluxe Cookie” is a sable with a light and fluffy texture, with 7 servings of 2 flavors each at 650-yen (tax inclusive).

Other than that, they also sell seasonal items, such as jellies or soft creams during the summer, which are apparently fairly popular as well.

Their jellies, the “Pâtes de fruits”, come in either a gift box with 9 pieces of 5 flavors, or a tray-type with 10 pieces of 5 flavors. Both are 500-yen a set (tax inclusive).

Their soft cream on the other hand, comes in vanilla (150-yen tax inclusive) and chocolate (200-yen tax inclusive) for the flavors, and you can add toppings for an additional 100-yen (tax inclusive).

Rich and creamy despite the cheap price as well as the choice of toppings make this a popular item with the locals coming by for a pitstop. While this was limited to October this year, it’s a good choice of visit if you happen to be in the area next summer!

The sheer number of choices might intimidate some, so the store manager has kindly informed us of the 3 top picks by popularity!

An assortment of bite-sized chocolate packaged individually, 200g for 600-yen (tax inclusive).

They come in milk, white, dark orange and coffee flavor. The dark orange and coffee flavors were so popular among customers they decided to sell separate packs of them.

“Deluxe Chocolate Dark Orange” 22 pieces, 400-yen (tax inclusive).

“Deluxe Chocolate Coffee” 22 pieces, 400-yen (tax inclusive).

A product loved by the locals ever since its conception 40 years ago, this extra-large bar of chocolate has a rich texture of high quality. For the price and quantity along with quality, it’s one of the most cost-efficient goods you can buy! 330g at 800-yen (tax inclusive).

Of the same flavor as the No.2 above, this one is divided into thinner individual pieces, at 580-yen for 165g in 30 pieces (tax inclusive). Being thin, the contents melt easily, so it’s a winter-limited product.

The packaging is also luxurious in design. The shopkeeper Ishikawa explains, “Customers from the nearby area apparently buy them for distribution during New Year’s greetings.” It’s also similar to the Deluxe Chocolate Bar featured above in terms of quantity and price, so there’s still some level of cost-efficiency. It’s probably a good idea to pick one depending on who you want to give it to.

While the popular goods are great, these limited-quantity chocolates that couldn’t be sold due to breaking during the manufacturing process deserve a special mention. Their availability is limited, so they can only be sold in limited amounts. The most popular flavor is the Florentine one, on the right of the picture above, and only 20 packs are for sale every day. Those gunning for these cheap yet delicious chocolate should come before noon.

Prices range from 650-yen to 750-yen depending on the type of chocolate and core (tax inclusive).

The hazelnut flavor has a nutty taste that compliments the texture of the fiantine (lightly baked crepes).

Here in the Tokyo factory, products like the deluxe chocolate bar are being made.

In this way, the freshly made chocolate is lined up for packaging to the direct sales counter.

These already look tantalizing enough as they are!

"Nuts & Fiantine" with Hazelnut, Fiantine (light crepes) and milk chocolate, 150 yen (tax included)

Chocolate cream, hand-shredded orange peels and brandy made together into a paste are used as the filling for this Madagascar Bitter Choco. This orange peel flavor costs 200-yen (tax inclusive).

Originally a factory-direct store meant for the local population, the love for the hometown could very well be the secret ingredient to the chocolate’s flavor. The fact that the deluxe chocolate series featured here are only available at the Yuraku shop or online, coupled with the limited-edition Black Thunder flavors available make this place a must-visit for anyone in the area.

Shelves filled with rare and limited-edition goods, the Black Thunder’s factory outlet YURAKU CHOCOLATE SHOP is the place for those looking for more bang for their buck. There’s no shortage of variety, which makes the establishment great for anything from buying for yourself or family, to buying for your colleagues or superiors. Definitely one of the top recommendations to visit.

Kurabayashi Jiei, Dali Corporation Inc.