A new month means new boxes from Sakuraco and TokyoTreats for imported snacks from Japan. While both boxes are filled with Japanese snacks, the branding and snack contents are made for slightly different audiences. Both boxes are the same price points for all subscription levels and guarantee the delivery of authentic Japanese for your friends and loved ones. Join me in my discovery of both boxes this to celebrate the traditional and snacktastic seasons.

Sakuraco

Sakuraco (starting at $32.50 USD/mo for 12 months) specializes in a refined snack experience. This month's theme was "New Year's in Japan". We're talking snacks bundled with the ancient customs of oshogatsu, where meaningful visits to temples and shrines are the traditional pastime. This box would be ideal for somebody who loves savoury snacks or enjoys a Japanese tea with their Japanese snacks. In my box, I received the following:

1. Nishijin-ori Coaster
2. Yuzu Sencha
3. Yuzu Shiroko Biscuits
4. New Year's Senbei
5. Sesame Daikaki
6. Soft Niigata Okaki
7. Cheese Curry Arare
8. Strawberry Daifuku
9. Sweet Potato Kintsuba
10. Matcha Dorayaki
11. Red & White Plum Kohakuto
12. Shichifukujin Tetra Arare
13. Maple Cashew Nuts
14. Kokuto Donut

Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Matcha Dorayaki which had a strong matcha flavour amidst a soft, pillow-like pancake shell.

I was most surprised by the Cheese Curry Arare. I have had tons of cheese and curry chips in Vancouver but this treat brought the best of both worlds in a single snack which I really enjoyed.

If snacks were judged on their aesthetic value, I would rank the Kokuto Donut highest. Its simple, Twinkie-like exterior, combined with an almost marbled look on the inside was really fun to look at and chomp into.

TokyoTreat

Next I opened the TokyoTreat (starting at $32.50/mo USD for 12 months) box and this month's theme was "New Year's Treatings". We're talking snacks from the vibes of Tokyo with good luck and fresh start themes. This box would be ideal for somebody who loves festive snacks, sweet surprises, or wild variations of their favourite KitKat sticks. In my box, I received the following:

1. Strawberry Chocolate Cake KitKat
2. Matcha Au Lait
3. Strawberry Dorayaki
4. Golden Kinako Mochi
5. Daruma Peach Gummies
6. Ghana Moist Chocolate Cake Truffles
7. Good Luck Taiyaki
8. Hokkaido Smoked Butter Chips
9. Crispy Caramel Bites
10. Miso Seafood Cutlet
11. Butter Seaweed and Salt Peanuts
12. Seafood & Vegetable Dashi Ramen
13. Corn Potage Puffs
14. Lucky New Year's Arare

Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Darumma Peach Gummies. These had a bold red colour which is right in line with the traditional vibes of New Year's and the packaging even has a little handle as a pouch though I doubt you would really need one to tote this little snack around. So cute!

I was most surprised by the Miso Seafood Cutlet. This snack was nothing I've had before. It's basically a stick-version of deep-fried katsu but without the pork. The line of katsu sauce tasted pretty authentic and I thoroughly enjoyed this snack's lasting experience.

Subscription Options:

Both TokyoTreat and Sakuraco boxes can be had for as low as $32.50/month, but if you're not ready for that kind of commitment, 6, 3, and 1-month options are also available. For gifts, I like to give the 3-month subscription because you get to see how the snacks rotate through the seasons and your recipient gets to reminded of your great gift-giving skills 3 different times.

Compared to other subscription boxes I've tried, both TokyoTreat and Sakuraco go an extra mile by providing a little booklet describing the goods inside and share holiday or seasonal travel guides based on the theme of the month. There might be 2-4 fewer overall snacks inside but I also appreciate the price point being lower than competitors. It's a fair tradeoff and I think you get 95% of the joy.

Final Thoughts:

One-liner: Sakuraco and TokyoTreat offer different vibes of subscription boxes filled with a variety of treats and Japanese lore for you to eat your way through every Japanese season
Highlight: Sakuraco snacks
Price per box: Starting from $32.50 USD a month for 12 months

To order your own Sakuraco or TokyoTreat box, head on over to the links below: