If you’re craving an authentic taste of Japan—beyond what your local grocery store offers—Sakuraco delivers a premium experience straight to your doorstep!
This box was gifted by Sakuraco to review. All opinions are my own. To try or gift a Sakuraco box, use my affiliate code at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
If you caught my review of the June TokyoTreat Snack Box, you’ll know how much I enjoy exploring Japanese treats. This time, I’m diving into its sister box—Sakuraco—a beautifully curated collection that highlights traditional and authentic Japanese snacks, seasonal flavors, and regional specialties you won’t easily find outside of Japan. But is it worth the subscription? Let’s unbox it together and find out.
What’s Inside a Sakuraco Box?
Similar to the TokyoTreat boxes, every Sakuraco box will have a monthly theme that focuses on Japan’s history and traditions. Each box contains up to 20 curated items, along with a booklet that shares the history of each local maker. I received the July box, and the theme is Mt. Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain. This mountain is a sacred symbol that has long been admired for its beauty and resilience, inspiring Japanese culture for centuries. Note: July’s Sakuraco box has a special gift for 1st time subscribers of 2 Mt. Fuji Sake Cups.
July Box:
- Matcha Genmaicha – High-grade Shizuoka sencha, Hokkaido brown rice, and Shizuoka matcha. I drink genmaicha tea, so this was a nice addition to my tea drawer. If you’ve never had genmaicha, it has a slightly nutty flavor from the toasted brown rice. Perfect to drink any time of the day.
- Mt. Fuji Biscuit – Crisp biscuit in the shape of Mt. Fuji with a smooth milk cream filling. This has a subtle sweetness and is perfect with tea.
- Muscat Konjac Jelly – Konjac from Gunma Prefecture infused with sweet muscat juice. Reminds me of firm Jell-O. Tip: Put this in the fridge for a cool and refreshing treat (my kids loved this).
- Mt. Fuji Chocolate Crunch – These cookie-like treats are made from Hokkaido corn. While the corn flavor wasn’t present, these mini crunch bars reminded me of a non-sticky version of Rice Krispie treats if they were made with chocolate.
- Mt. Fuji Jelly – This translucent jelly shaped like Mt. Fuji has a sweet apple flavor. This is another treat that I recommend putting in the fridge and eating cold. Note: This came a bit melted and soft due to the Southern California heat.
- Mt. Fuji Dish – Striking blue and white glazed plate inspired by Hokusai’s iconic ukiyo-e ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’. This is the perfect size for small confections or side dishes.
- Mt. Fuji Kohakuto – Kohakuto, sugar candies, have been seen all over social media (my daughter was excited to eat this candy). It’s a popular sugar candy with a crystallized exterior and soft interior. The one in this box has an apple flavor and was delicious!
- Matcha Friand – Moist mini match cake made with premium matcha from Uji, Kyoto. It’s like a matcha-flavored pound cake. Moist, but finished dry, so I recommend having it with a drink. Not my favorite from this box.
- Chocolate & Plain Crown Melon Wafers – Melon-infused light and crisp wafers. This was one of my favorite treats, and I would purchase this in a store. You can taste the melon flavor without it being overpowering.
- Amaou Strawberry Dorayaki – Sweet white bean paste blended with Amaou strawberries, then sandwiched between two castella pancakes. A twist on the traditional sweet azuki bean paste (anko) filled dorayaki with a subtle taste of strawberry. If you don’t like azuki beans, this might be a good alternative.
- Shizuoka Green Tea Cookie – Leaf-shaped green tea sandwich cookie filled with smooth cream. Although this was a solid, light and crisp cookie, the green tea flavor was lacking.
- Ako Salt Agemochi – Deep-fried, crunchy pieces of mochi that are flavored with salt from Ako, a city renowned for its high-quality sea salt. I love agemochi, so this was a favorite salty snack for me.
- Sakura Shrimp Kakimochi – Light and airy shrimp flavored kakimochi. Another favorite from this box.
- Nori Wasabi Arare – Small pieces of crunchy arare (rice crackers) that are seasoned with seaweed and wasabi.
What Makes Sakuraco Different?
Sakuraco’s mission is to bring Japan lovers a genuine taste of tradition through handcrafted snacks and drinks made by beloved local artisans, while connecting you with the people behind them. The included 24-page booklet offers cultural insights that deepen your appreciation of each month’s theme.
Cost of Sakuraco Box
Similar to TokyoTreat subscription, Sakuraco has a month-by-month plan that allows you to purchase only the boxes that pique your interest. Of course, there are 3-month, 6-month (most popular, billed bi-annually), and yearly plans (best value) to choose from. There’s a plan perfect for Japanese culture lovers, gift-givers, tea aficionados, and foodies!
Sakuraco Box Final Thoughts
Sakuraco isn’t the typical snack box—it’s an invitation to savor the beauty of Japanese tradition, one treat at a time. From the carefully selected regional flavors to the beautifully designed keepsake items, each box offers a meaningful experience you can’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Japan or just beginning your journey, Sakuraco is a delightful way to connect with the heart of Japanese culture from the comfort of home.
