Konpeitō is a Japanese candy that was introduced in Japan during the early 16th century by Portuguese traders. Konpeitō comes from the Portuguese word confeito that means sugar candy.

This candy is made from sugar, which was very expensive in Japan in the 16th century. It is 5 to 10 mm. in diameter and produced by repeatedly coating a sugar syrup over a core consisting of a grain of coarse sugar. Originally the core was a seed.

Konpeitō is a standard candy in Japan. The character Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker” was translated into konpeitō no sei (Fairy of konpeitō) and can be seen in the movie “Spirited Away”.

The Gratitude Crystals in “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword” are also based off of konpeitō candies. 

Soot gremlins catching konpeitō in the movie, “Spirited Away”: