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 "Seasons of Sakura". We're talking snacks bundled with the traditional vibes of cultural celebrations with cherry blossoms start bloom upwards to the north of Japan. 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:
- Sweet Sakura Tea
- Sakura Daifuku
- Sakura Kohakuto
- Sakura Karinto
- Ryokucha Usuyaki
- Sakura Konpeito
- Strawberry Belgian Waffle
- Sakura Manju
- Sakura Mochi
- Sakura Sake Glass
- Ume Senbei
- Strawberry Waffle Cookie
- Ume Okoshi
- Kabukiage
Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Strawberry Waffle Cookie which had a fun, strawberry jelly amidst a crispy waffle wafer.
I was most surprised by the Ryokucha Usuyaki. This snack had a delicate texture and was full of rich green tea flavour which melted into my mouth.
If snacks were judged on their aesthetic value, I would rank the Sakura Konpeito highest. These had a fun aesthetic to them and weren't too sweet. I loved crunching into the little star-like pieces
TokyoTreat
Next I opened the TokyoTreat (starting at $32.50/mo USD for 12 months) box and this month's theme was "Cherry Blossom Bites". We're talking snacks from the vibes of Tokyo meant to make hanging out with friends at a festival or chill hanami picnic really fun. 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 Strawberry Shortcake
- Sakura Petal Marshmallows
- Peach Mochi
- Sakura Blossom Cake
- Sour Plum Salt Crackers
- Sakura Donut
- Pistachio and Strawberry Pai No Mi
- Senbei Spring Mix
- Baked Potato Poricky Sticks
- Onion Puffs
- Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen
- Blossom-Viewing Chocolate Bites
- Crispy Fried Rice Crackers
Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Sour Plum Salt Crackers. These reminded me of the shrimp crackers you'd get from Nong Shim or Calbee but these had a novel, sour plum flavour that mixed really well with the savoury feeling of a regular shrimp chip.
I was most surprised by the Sakura Donut. This snack was surprisingly moist for something that had to be transported from Japan and it had a distinct, floral flavour I've never had before in a donut.
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:
