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 "Savoring Osaka". We're talking snacks bundled with the traditional vibes of craftsmanship – the tradition of sakai knives, in 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:
- Kinako Warabimochi
- Osaka Mochi Castella
- Fukamushi Sencha
- Egg Koban Senbei
- Kokuto & Sugar Houten
- Strawberry Cream Cookie
- Strawberry Cakes
- Ginger Okoshi
- Pickled Ginger Crisps
- Osaka Arare
- Osaka Octopus Senbei
- Senshu Onion Sable
- Shichifukujin Daruma Tenugui
- Miyako Konbu
Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Osaka 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 Pickled Ginger Crisps. This snack reminded me of the pickled ginger you get in sushi places meant to cleanse your palate. It was nothing like any other chips I've had and I was loving it.
If snacks were judged on their aesthetic value, I would rank the Kinako Warabimochi highest. JELL-O has nothing on the feeling of this gelatinous snack.
TokyoTreat
Next I opened the TokyoTreat (starting at $32.50/mo USD for 12 months) box and this month's theme was "Japan Snackfari". We're talking snacks from the vibes of the animal kingdom – Japanese style. 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 Salted Caramel
- Peach Paw Candies
- Vegetable Animal Cracklers
- Melon Panda Cookies
- Animal Unchoco
- Grape Paw Gummies
- Terrific Tiger Konjac Jelly
- Lucky Giraffe Mayo Curry Chips
- Fiery Fox Radish Bites
- Black Bear Peanut Balls
- Chocolate Monkey Biscuits
- Chocolate Panda Cake
- Strawberry Rice Puffs
Out of the snacks above, I most enjoyed the Chocolate Panda Cake. The packaging was absolutely adorable and I enjoyed the tiny chocolate cake that was maybe 2 bites large, making it easy to enjoy without overindulging.
I was most surprised by the Terrific Tiger Konjac Jelly. As it turns out, konjac jelly is a low-calorie Asian root that tastes great when mixed with mango flavour which was exactly the case in this tiger-themed snack.
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:
