The weather is still cold and frightful, but warm weather is on its way! And warm weather in Japan means one thing: sakura season is coming! Japan’s most famous time of year is also its most popular and beautiful. As cherry trees blossom, flowers of the prettiest pinks, whites, and reds fill the air in a dreamlike shower of petals.
To better get into the festive mood, we at JapanHaul have decided to hand-pick five of our best sakura-themed candies and snacks for you. We have chocolates. We have amazing tea. We even have special soda! So even if you can’t check out the sakura excitement in Japan, you can bring a wonderful taste of it home with these five awesome sakura snacks!
Sakura Cola
You’ve seen the cherry trees. You’ve eaten the pink and white chocolates. You’ve used all the cute sakura-themed stationery. But now, for the first time ever, you can drink the flavor of sakura with…sakura cola! That’s right, by infusing real cherry blossom extract into this wonderfully fizzy soda, you can enjoy Japan’s iconic sakura fun anywhere you want! This cola is best served chilled under a cherry tree with a side of sweet chocolates. Just make sure you bring your picnic blanket and some friends
Sakura Mochi
If you’re a fan of traditional Japanese snacks, then you’re already well acquainted with mochi. Sweet, soft, and chewy, mochi is one of the best rice-based foods in the world. So how did we make it even better? By adding that classic sakura flavor to it, that’s how! By adding real cherry blossom leaf aroma to the mochi, each and every bite of these snacks will make you feel like you’re sitting directly under a cherry tree. Simple, refreshing, sweet, and always shareable. Try not to eat them all at once!
KitKat Osaka Castle Sakura Flavor
Osaka is a city that’s jam-packed with amazing things to do, eat, and see. Chief among them is Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks with centuries of history. If you’re looking for something a little more active and bustling, Dotonbori is the answer, as the famous street is overflowing with some of the best food in the country.
In honor of Osaka’s awesome culture, we’ve decided to create a special-edition KitKat package. The box is shaped like the outline of a Japanese castle, with one side depicting Osaka Castle and the other showing Dotonbori. The KitKat candy inside is a special white chocolate infused with sakura flavor, making it the ultimate Japanese snack for this sakura season.
Ippudo Sakura Matcha Unsweetened
Made from only the finest matcha sourced from Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakegawa Ippudo matcha is among the finest in Japan. Not only is their matcha absolutely top-shelf, but this special variety is even better due to the infusion of cherry blossom flavor. If enjoying a steaming cup of fresh matcha green tea is your ultimate means of relaxation, well, get ready to experience the best of the best with our special sakura blend. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more authentic taste of Japan.
Furansuya Sakura Chocolate Assortment
This is for chocolate lovers everywhere. When a single piece of amazing chocolate won’t cut it, this is the answer you’ve been looking for. This selection of chocolate is made by Chocolat Furansuya, a famous chocolatier from Kyoto. That’s right, this is the good stuff you’ve been dreaming about. This special Furansuya Sakura Chocolate Assortment includes 15 pieces of chocolate in 9 varieties.
These include sakura flower-shaped regular and white chocolate; matcha flavored chocolate; a mix of dark and milk chocolate pieces; caramel flavored coffee chocolate, and even coconut flavored gianduja. That’s right, this package goes all out. It might be a bit more expensive than the box of Russel Stover’s you can find at your local supermarket, but you’re getting a premium assortment of chocolate for your money.
Why should you get these special sakura snacks?
Sakura season is Japan’s most iconic festival season. From video games to manga to anime, every part of Japanese pop culture celebrates sakura season. Festivals, parties, and events are held throughout the entire country for this special time of year, so it’s only fitting to join in on the fun.
In addition, sakura snacks are an edible extension of hanami, letting people literally “taste” the cherry blossom season as they admire the flowers. During hanami picnics, seasonal treats like sakura mochi, sakura-flavored sweets, and pink drinks echo the colors and aromas of the blossoms, turning flower viewing into a full sensory celebration!
Not everyone is able to witness the cherry tree blossoms in person, so getting a hold of these great sakura snacks is the next best thing. With chocolate, tea, and even soda, JapanHaul has something for everyone this season! Have you had any sakura snacks before? If so, what did you think? Please let us know! We’d love to hear from you!
