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 "Traditions of Tokyo". We're talking baked dolls, traditional teas, arare, and straight up 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:
- Kuromame Tea
- Mizu Warabimochi
- Adzuki & Custard Edo Matsuri Ningyo-Yaki
- Vegetable Karinto
- Cheese & Pepper Otsumami
- Sugar Thunder Okoshi
- Hineri Arare
- Tokyo Skytree Baked Chocolate
- Mochi Monaka
- Tokyo Plate
- Hanatsumi Gummies
- Milk Tea Belgian Waffle
- Hydrangea Amber Sugar
- Blueberry Tartlet
Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Mizu Warabimochi which had a sweet and gelatinous shell that as tasty as it was wobbly. I've seen this in some bakeries but never as a standalone snack in stores in Vancouver, Canada.
I was most surprised by the Milk Tea Belgian Waffle. Imported bread is sometimes hit and miss depending on how long it takes to ship. This waffle held up surprisingly well and a little heat from my toaster oven brought it back to full life.
If snacks were judged on their aesthetic value, I would rank the Blueberry Tartlet highest. These were like cookie-shaped danishes with a shortbread-like texture surround a sweet pool of blueberry.
TokyoTreat
Next I opened the TokyoTreat (starting at $32.50/mo USD for 12 months) box and this month's theme was "Tokyo Snackation". 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 Royal Milk Tea
- Melon Cream Soda
- Chee-Zack
- Mini Gummies
- Pai no Mi Mini Pies Peach Tart
- Koikeya Ume Chips
- Castella Donut
- Pokemon Chocolate Marshmallow
- Neko Banana Dorayaki
- Hello Kitty Candy Mints
- Tokyo Shoyu Ramen
- Jumbo DIY Sauce Senbei
- Mitarashi Kibidango
- Mini Choco Chip Cookies
Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Pai no Mi Mini Pies Peach Tarts. These were a cool honeycomb of mini pies with a peach filling that was as flaky as it tasted fresh. Not bad for a snack that needed transporting overseas.
I was most surprised by the Monjayaki Squid Chips. These had a crispy texture without any of the dried threadiness you usually get with squid chips in Vancouver. These were basically an okonomiyaki on a chip which is super cool.
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:
