I am a huge foodie and I love to travel, so I like the idea of receiving a monthly subscription box with authentic Japanese snacks delivered to my doorstep. Sakuraco, one of the Japanese snack boxes companies, was kind enough to ship one of their boxes to me. In this blog post I will share my Sakuraco box review so you can decide if this monthly Japanese snack box subscription is the right one for you. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here. Even though I was gifted the box, all opinions in this Sakuraco review article are my own.
Do you want to get Japanese snacks delivered to you? Check out these subscription options:
- Sakuraco box: premium Japanese snacks from local family-owned businesses
- Tokyo Treat box: mainstream Japanese snacks (e.g., Kit Kat)
Are you looking for help with planning your trip? Check out these helpful resources:
- Flights
- Accommodation for all budgets
- Rental cars
- Activities, tours, and day trips
- eSIM for international data
What does the Sakuraco box look like?
The box I got in May was pink with a few cherry blossoms and a yellow logo. I thought the box design was very cute and the material of the box was high quality too. It can be a great gift too because it looks beautiful.
They have a different theme every month for the box, so the colors of the box might change depending on when you order. They use seasonal themes like cherry blossom season or New Year’s.
When I opened the box I could see the logo and a short text saying “From our families to yours. Let’s enjoy the traditional flavors of Japan together.”
I love that they partner with local businesses to curate the best artisanal snacks from local makers in Japan. This way I know that I’m also supporting small businesses and local artisans in Japan.
At the top of the box there is a message from the founder of Sakuraco, Ayumi Chikamoto, and a snack guide describing all the Japanese treats in that month’s box.
What snacks did you receive in a Sakuraco box?
I received so many goodies in this month’s box! There was a mix of sweet and savory snacks, 2 packs of green tea, and a pair of chopsticks. Here are the details about the items in the box.
Wasabi Pistachios x 2
There were 2 packs of about 10 wasabi-coated pistachios each. The little bags were the perfect size for snacking.
The pistachios were crunchy, savory and had a bit of spiciness from the wasabi. I don’t eat very spicy food, but I could tolerate them. They had just the perfect amount of heat.
Kyushu Soy Sauce Arare
These snacks have been crafted for over 50 years in Japan and are a beloved traditional snack. They look like chips but are made from rice flour and coated in a sweet and savory soy sauce glaze. They were crunchy and the seasoning was on point.
Issa Senbei x2
These little snacks are so cute! They are made from glutinous rice and coated with an aonori, or green laver, syrup.
I’ve never tried this snack before. It was crisp and slightly sweet. Not bad. It wasn’t my favorite of all the options in the box, but it was good nonetheless.
Nagasaki Honey Castella
The castella is a traditional sponge cake and a specialty of Nagasaki. Portuguese merchants introduced a similar sponge cake to this port city back in the 16th century.
If you like sponge cake, you’ll love castella. The ingredients for this particular one were simple, without additives. The taste was subtly sweet and the cake was moist.
Kumamoto Watermelon Gummies
If only I could include the smell of these gummies in this review! As soon as I opened the pouch this incredible watermelon smell hit me.
They are made with watermelon juice from the Kumamoto Prefecture, the largest watermelon-producing area in Japan.
They were great – soft, not too sweet, and full of flavor.
Kuzukiri
These are traditional Japanese noodles made from kudzu starch. They have a smooth and chewy texture. You eat them cold, mixed with rich black honey.
Kokuto Donuts x2
These little donuts were my favorite snacks in this box. They are made with rich brown sugar from the Okinawa Prefecture. They were crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and had that pleasant brown sugar taste. So good!
Amaou Strawberry Crunch x2
These were some crunchy treats made with Amaou strawberries. The Amaou strawberries are grown in Fukuoka’s Hakata region and are prized for their red color, big size, and sweetness.
I thought that these snacks were delicious. I wish I could also try the strawberries themselves. One day!
Black Sesame Taiko
Apparently this black sesame treat won the gold medal at Japan’s 25th National Confectionery Expo. I can see why.
It’s a crispy sweet treat made from black sesame, almonds, and honey. Simple, whole food ingredients, incredible texture and taste. I loved it!
Gyokuro Chocolate Wafer x2
These were crunchy wafers with an incredible green tea cream. The cream was made with Yame gyokuro, a high-grade green tea from Yame in Fukuoka.
This treat was developed in collaboration with JA Fukuoka, a regional agricultural cooperative supporting local farmers.
I love how Japan supports its farmers and I love how Sakuraco supports these local businesses as well. Well done, Japan!
Tsuru no Sato Marhmallow
Besides the watermelon gummies, this marshmallow also had the most incredible smell. I knew I was going to like it just based on the smell.
This marshmallow resembles an egg as it’s white on the outside and filled with a yellow bean paste. The paste toned down the sweetness of the marshmallow and it provided some extra texture. I loved it!
Chiran Ryokucha Green Tea x2
This green tea is produced in Chiran, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is known for its exceptional quality and a unique flavor profile, often having a sweet and rich aroma.
I went to Tokyo in 2010 and every single cup of tea I drank on that trip was exquisite. I’m really glad Sakuraco included two tea bags in the box so I can enjoy that high-quality tea again.
Wakasa Lacquer Chopsticks
These chopsticks were made with traditional Wakasa lacquer techniques. They feature designs of gourds and folding fans, symbols of good fortune and beauty in Japan.
I am so happy to finally have a pair of chopsticks from Japan that I can use every time I get sushi takeout. I will so fancy now! They are beautiful. And I can imagine I am in Tokyo eating sushi at the best restaurants.
How long did it take to receive the Sakuraco box?
It took me about 3 weeks to receive the box. I am based in Romania, so the delivery times are faster if you live closer to Japan.
Does Sakuraco ship worldwide?
Yes, they ship worldwide, so you can get a taste of Japan no matter where you live. The shipping cost varies based on the country you’re from, but it’s about $10.5 – 12.5.
If you’re craving Japanese snacks or you want to send a gift to a Japan lover, I think the shipping fee is reasonable for the quality of products you get.
What subscription plans does Sakuraco offer?
They offer 4 subscription plans: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. The 1 month option costs $37.5, while the 12 month subscription option costs $32.5 per box. So if you pick a longer subscription, the price for a single box will be cheaper.
My overall opinion of the Sakuraco box
I think the Sakuraco snack boxes can be a great gift or personal indulgence for people who love traditional Japanese snacks. The box itself is beautifully designed and arrives in perfect condition.
Sakuraco pays a lot of attention to details, from the design of the box to the culture guides, and the curation of the snacks themselves. I love that they include a message from the founder in each box and a culture guide that explains the history and significance of each snack.
They send up to 20 items in each box, so you can try a lot of different items each month. Besides sweet and salty snacks, they also include teas or other items from the Japanese culture such as chopsticks.
The snacks are carefully packed in the box such that they arrive intact. None of the snacks in my box were squished or broken. I appreciated this.
One of my favorite features of Sakuraco is that they partner with small local businesses to curate the snacks for each box. So you’re also supporting families in Japan by getting Sakuraco boxes.
Honestly, the entire experience of getting the box was flawless and the quality of the snacks I received was incredible.
If you are looking for more mainstream snacks that you can find at Japanese convenience stores, such as Japanese Kit Kat flavors, then you should go with the Tokyo Treat subscription box.
Sakuraco is a more high-end, artisanal snack box from local small businesses, while Tokyo Treat has snacks from well-known brands such as Kit Kat, Pocky, and Hi-Chew.
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Ioana was born and raised in Romania, lived in NYC for 14 years, and is now back in Romania. She fell in love with traveling when she was little and used to visit her aunt in Vienna. Then in high school she was able to visit Siberia, Turkmenistan, Istanbul, and Tokyo through chemistry competitions. As an adult she started to travel solo once she turned 30 and visited 20+ countries so far. Ioana is a full time travel blogger and content creator with an audience of 80K+ people on Instagram. She loves to share travel recommendations and tips.