The sakura in Japanese, or cherry blossom in English, has long been revered in Japanese culture as a symbol of renewal, hope, and the fleeting beauty of life. Japanese Sakura Snacks are not only beautiful to look at, the cherry blossom flavour is really quite unique!
While I’ve been to Japan about 7 times now, I’ve never been lucky enough to catch the Sakura Season in the country. Whether it’s at a local festival, a party, or a so-called “hanami” (花見 – literally translated to “watching of the flowers”) picnic, everyone looks forward to see the world famous cherry blossom trees in bloom!
No hanami is complete without some delicious (Sakura flavoured) snacks, but the good news is that you don’t need a flight to Japan to experience these Spring flavours.
With the Tokyo Treat or Sakuraco Japanese Snack boxes, you can receive some wonderful authentic Japanese snacks at home.
Here are some of the sakura flavored snacks I tried in the March 2024 boxes:
JAPANESE SAKURA SNACK BOX
QUICK LINKS
Sakura Leaf Senbei
Senbei are my favourite Japanese salty snacks and this senbei cracker is flavoured with shrimp and sakura leaves.
If you’re not familiar, senbei are rice crackers that come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors, usually savory but sometimes sweet. They are often eaten with green tea.
Sakura Castella Cake
This fluffy, cloud-like cake is flavoured with real Sakura extract. Castella cake was introduced to the Japanese by Portuguese merchants in the 16th Century and now a speciality of the Nagasaki region.
Sakura Shortbread Cookie
Enjoy the crumbly texture of this mild and buttery cookie with a sakura cream filling. Shortbread is a traditional Scottish biscuit, but of course with the sakura filling, it goes well with Japanese tea!
Sweet Sakura Tea
Every Sakuraco box features a traditional Japanese tea and this sakura box featured a slightly sweet tea containing real cherry blossoms! They bloom in hot water, creating a gorgeous bouquet for the senses. Perfect to pair with other sakura flavored snacks.
Sakura Shiruko Biscuits
These biscuits embrace a layer of sweet adzuki paste (red bean paste). Crafted with delicately baked dough that is enriched with sakura powder and a touch of ume juice for a subtle tartness. These were some of my favourites from this month’s Sakura Box (as you can tell, I didn’t even manage to snap a photo of them before eating them all, oops!)
Sakura Mochi
This chewy mochi (a Japanese sweet made from just rice and water) is lightly sprinkled with iridescent powder, making it glisten in the light. The sweetness of these mochi, combined with the floral notes of the cherry blossoms, creates a harmonious balance of flavours.
Sakura Candy
When I was in Japan, I saw this type of hard candy everwhere! This particular artisanal candy is meticulously designed and created by skilled Tokyo craftsmen into the lovely image of a cherry blossom. Each piece captures the sweet, delicate flavours of sakura.
Sakura Honey Kuzumochi
Kuzumochi is a pudding-like traditional Japanese treat made from kuzuko powder. Enhanced with Japanese sakura honey, this delicate kuzumochi offers a subtle hint of sakura and a refreshing touch of plum tartness, creating a delightful balance of flavours in every bite.
Sakura Donut Bou
The crispy fried dough of these donut bou are soaked in honey and plenty of cherry blossom syrup resulting in a fresh, spring flavour. Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, these treats are perfectly paired with a cup of tea.
Sakura Arare Tetra
Arare are a type of bite-sized Japanese cracker made from glutinous rice, flavoured with soy sauce. These unglazed arare and sakura-shaped soy sauce arare are crafted from premium Japanese rice using traditional techniques. How cute are they?!
Sakura Dorayaki
I always pick up a dorayaki in the shop when I can find them. So good!! For this special sakura-themed dorayaki, salted sakura leaves have been skillfully infused into a luscious white bean paste filling, embraced by wheat dough from Japan’s Mie Prefecture.
TRAVEL WITHOUT LEAVING HOME?
You don’t always need to be physically on the road to enjoy the beauty of destinations from all around the world!
From vintage travel posters to beautifully displayed souvenirs and home decor items inspired by your favourite places and from travel journals and crafts to exploring world recipes, music and dance.
With our creative articles you’ll get some fresh ideas on how to bring the world closer to the comforts of your own home.
MORE INFORMATION
What is TokyoTreat?
TokyoTreat offers monthly boxes filled with snacks sweet and savory, hand-curated by locals in Japan.
The April Box from Tokyo Treat is focused around “yozakura“, which are the nighttime cherry blossoms. Get your Sakura Matsuri Snackfest here >>
What is Sakuraco?
Sakuraco gives you a more authentic taste of Japanese snacks, candies, and teas. Products are sourced directly from family makers with centuries-old traditions, ensuring a traditional, uniquely Japanese experience.
The April Box from Sakuraco is called “A Night of Sakura”. Experience the enchantment of Japan’s sakura season at night. Get this current Sakuraco box here >>
MORE JAPANESE SNACKS & GIFT BOXES:
WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT?
There is so much to explore in the world, how do you decide where to go next?
The Travel Tester is all about mindful travel and we love matching your passions to destinations on earth. So whether your travel for food, nature, creativity, history, culture, innovation, adrenaline, good karma or personal growth, we’ll have suggestions for you wherever you go.
Click the button below for more information and all our travel guides:
