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 "Festivals of Tohoku". We're talking baked dolls, traditional teas, arare, and sometimes Japanese chinaware. 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:
- Iyemon Matcha Genmaicha
- Ginger Senbei
- Apple Cream Cookie
- Walnut Mochi
- Michinoku Miruru
- Custard Pan
- Peanut Senbei Cookie
- Mini Shrimp Tempura
- Iburi Gakko Arare
- Roasted Corn Arare
- Pear Gummies
- Peach Konjac Jelly
- Sweet Potato Amanatto
- Neko Tenegui
Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Ginger Senbei which had a sweet and crunchy shell that as tangy as it was shaped as a taco. I've never seen this as a standalone snack in stores in Vancouver, Canada so this was a pretty exciting snack.
I was most surprised by the Custard Pan. Imported bread is sometimes hit and miss depending on how long it takes to ship. This bun held up surprisingly well and a little heat from my toaster oven brought the bread and custard back to full life.
If snacks were judged on their aesthetic value, I would rank the Apple Cream Cookie highest. These were dainty flat cookie sheets with a creamy texture between a really cool printed design.
TokyoTreat
Next I opened the TokyoTreat (starting at $32.50/mo USD for 12 months) box and this month's theme was "Okinawa Snackin' Oasis". We're talking exclusive chips, senbei crackers, and other sweet treats. 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:
- KitKat Cookies & Cream
- KoroKyan Soft Candy Chews
- Shooting Star Konpeito
- Shikuwasa Soda
- Mizu Gummies
- Kokutou Black Thunder
- Aerial Sour Cream & Onion Chips
- Crunky Salta Caramel Bites
- Okinawan Sea Salt Donut
- Cheese Chinsukou
- Kokutou and Milk Karinto
- Okinawa Style Wafu Dashi Ramen
- Shrimp Kakiage Potato Snack
- Kamessen Crackers
- Green Apple Mini Mochi
Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Okinawan Sea Salt Donut. This was a stick-style donut with a surprising amount of flavour beyond the usual grease I expect from a donut. Each bite had a satisfying amount of chewiness and floury sweetness.
I was most surprised by the Green Apple Mini Mochi. These had such a cool package design with little dots and it was fun to pop the little mochis out of their pockets and into my mouth.
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:
