Sakuraco is a monthly Japanese Snack Box subscription celebrating authentic Japanese flavors. Committed to supporting family-owned businesses, this box features snacks from a 'new corner of Japan' each month. Indulge in artisan treats and learn more about Japanese culture with them through flavor and tea.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes).
Sakuraco costs $32.50 monthly with an annual subscription. I received plenty of snacks to try this month, ranging from sweet to savory. This box shipped directly from Japan; everything arrived in perfect condition and didn't take long to get to me.
First Impressions
Once again, the packaging for this box is stunning. ♡
April's box features a mix of snacks that offer insight into Yozakura Matsuri, or Evening Sakura Festivals. It was not surprising that Sakuraco included a gorgeous booklet; all of their packaging is so impressive! This booklet describes each snack and lists whether it contains any common allergens.
What's Inside:
Shio Yokan
Yokan is a traditional Japanese wagashi. I love anything with adzuki red beans and sugar; Sakuraco is so good at finding treats that highlight a whole food ingredient's natural sweetness. My teeth sank right into this sticky treat, and I enjoyed all three bites, haha.
Sakura Konpeito
Konpeito is made through a unique crystallization process that's been around for centuries. My kids went nuts for these subtly sweet, colorful treats. The crunch is unmatched; I'd compare these to rock candy, but I think they are much harder and less sweet.
Strawberry Tartlet
This little cutie is the perfect marriage of tangy strawberry and sweet custardy crust. It was soft and jammy, melting right in my mouth. I am glad they gave us two to enjoy, because I did not want to share this morsel.
Spring Mix Okaki
I really liked the variety of crackers and nuts in this cheerful packaging. The arare medley consisted of six different types of nearly bite-sized snacks, including sakura-flavored seaweed arare, sugar-pickled sakura arare, and more. The savory bunch had individual flavor notes, including sesame, soy, and seaweed, that paired very nicely. I loved the crunch in each bite!
Shrimp & Mayonaise Arare
These individually wrapped, bite-sized Japanese crackers were flavor-rich and crunchy. There was no mistaking the notes of shrimp and creamy mayonnaise. I am glad I got to sample this snack, but I passed the other one on to my sister. I enjoy shrimpy crackers, but it was a little overpowering for me.
Plum Zarame Senbei
Plum is such an underrated fruit; it is one of my favorites, so imagine my excitement when it is a featured flavor. I loved the sugary brightness of this plummy senbei, but it was extremely crunchy, like, nearly impossible to bite into. I ended up breaking this into tiny bites so my kids and I could enjoy.
Sakura Wafers
I love a wafer. I don't care what flavor — they are all delicious! Sakuraco gave us two to try: both with sakura chocolate and white chocolate between crisp layers of bitter chocolate wafer, and a simply sweet, plain wafer version.
Sakura Glass
This delicate glass is perfect for a swig of morning juice or, my favorite, rich chocolate milk. Drinking from this vessel made me feel fancy, especially since it's hand-wash-only. I don't keep a lot of drinkware around that can't be washed in the dishwasher, so that goes to show how much I adore this small glass. The cherry blossoms on this glass depict their descent along a flowing river, and I love the pink and gold color palette.
Sakura Anko Cakes
This is hands down our favorite snack this month. Any cakey treat, moist and filled with sweet bean paste, is a winner in my book. I've tried a few renditions, thanks to Sakuraco, and they are all delightful. There is a hint of sakura when you bite into the filling, but it is a subtle sweetness that doesn't lean very floral.
Sakura Mochi
I am such a sucker for mochi; its chewy texture is irresistible! I was surprised to get more Sakura-flavored mochi this month (we received a similar item last month), but this version has a much bolder Sakura flavor, more identifiable and floral.
Sakura Cream Cookie
I was thrilled to have two of these cookies to try. They are crisp and can be a little messy when you take your first big bite. The outside cookie is decorated with yozakura imagery, while the inside is layered with sweet sakura-flavored cream. As the description claims, it really is the perfect cookie to pair with a hot cup of tea.
Ume Pink Tea
What a gorgeous tea! The tea started swirling its pink hues in the water as soon as I lowered it into my cup, and I could smell the hibiscus and sour plum notes almost immediately. This green tea blend was a pleasure to sip, especially after welcoming a healthy teaspoon of honey to the party.
Sakura Wagashi
So these wagashi were almost too beautiful to eat... almost. Each bite-sized treat is a fusion of yokan made from adzuki red bean paste and a Japanese-style marshmallow made with egg whites, or hozui. Each sugary bite of these artisanal candies was savored, leaving us hoping for another set next month.
The Verdict
Sakuraco's April box was an array of tangy, sugary, and savory bites along with elegant hints of sakura and plum. This box had such a wide range of snacks that were fun to unpack, and I really loved this month's pink tea and sakura glass. This box always bursts with authentic Japanese flavors, and I thoroughly enjoy everything from unboxing to the taste-testing session. Discovering new treats and unboxing with the fam makes this $32.50 worth every penny.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $32.50. This box ships directly from Japan and includes 14 artisanal snacks and an adorably authentic furoshiki cloth. It is like spending $2.30 per item.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes
What do you think of this month's Sakuraco's box?
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