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 "Taste of Kyushu". We're talking snacks from the southernmost island of Japan, known for its volcanic soil, coastal access, and abundan tnatural resources. 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:
- Chiran Ryokucha
- Gyokuro Chocolate Wafer
- Nagasaki Honey Castella
- Tsuru no Sato Marshmallow
- Amaou Strawberry Crunch
- Kuzukiri
- Wakasa Lacquer Chopsticks
- Black Sesame Taiko
- Kumamoto Watermelon Gummies
- Kokuto Donuts
- Kyushu Soy Sauce Arare
- Issa Senbei
- Wasabi Pistachios
Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Kyushu Soy Sauce Arare which had a crunchy and starchy texture that was a lot of fun to eat and a BIG crunch in my mouth.
I was most surprised by the Issa Senbei. Usually these are simple rice crackers but the layer of aonori, or green laver syrup coating the top with a fresh written character for tea made this very enjoyable.
If snacks were judged on their aesthetic value, I would rank the Black Sesame Taiko highest. This is actually a gold award-winning confection from Japan's 25th National Confectionery Expo which looks like a real Japanese drum.
TokyoTreat
Next I opened the TokyoTreat (starting at $32.50/mo USD for 12 months) box and this month's theme was "Konbini Snackin'". We're talking snacks from the vibes of Tokyo's greatest convenience – konbini styles. 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 Matcha
- Umaibo Cheese Stick
- Crunchy Chocolate Almonds
- Grape and Muscat Gummies
- Butter Soy Sauce Potato Sticks
- Mini Melon Biscuits
- Kimchi Kakipi
- Bourbon Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
- Ginshari Rice Ball Cracker
- Wasabi Potato Crisps
- Sour Paper Candy Apple
- Maruchan Kitsune Udon
- Baumkuchen Earl Grey Cake
- Retro Konpeito
Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Butter Soy Sauce Potato Sticks. These reminded me of Hickory Sticks which you can get in Canada but way more of an umami flavour and more substantial volume per bite.
I was most surprised by the Umaibo Cheese Stick. A bit of cheese and corn together make for a really fun snack and I honestly finished this in seconds.
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:
