Sakura season is on! What are the best cherry blossoms snacks?

Japan is renowned for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and rich Japanese tradition. One of the most beloved aspects of Japan's natural beauty is the Cherry Blossom or Sakura in Japanese. During the spring season, the country is painted in pink and white hues as the Sakura trees bloom, making for breathtakingly beautiful sights. The Japanese people have a deep appreciation for the Sakura and have incorporated it into various aspects of their lives, including their delicious treats and cuisine. In this article, we will explore Japanese Sakura snacks and how they have become an integral part of Japanese food culture.

What are Sakura Snacks?

Sakura snacks are a type of Japanese snack that incorporates the delicate flavors of the Sakura flower. These snacks are typically available during the Sakura season, which starts in late March and lasts until mid-April. Sakura snacks come in various forms, such as chocolates, cookies, candies, and even Sakura-flavored drinks. These snacks are often designed to resemble the Sakura flower, and their packaging is decorated with beautiful Sakura designs, making them not only delicious but also visually pleasing.

Sakura snacks are typically made with Sakura petals or Sakura leaves that are pickled in salt and then dried. This process helps to preserve the delicate Sakura flavor and aroma, which is then infused into the snacks. The flavor of Sakura snacks is described as delicate, floral, and slightly sweet, making them a perfect accompaniment to green tea or other Japanese teas.

Popular Japanese Sakura Snacks

1. Sakura Mochi

Sakura Mochi is a traditional Japanese sweet that is typically enjoyed during the Sakura season, which is the period when the Cherry Blossom trees bloom in Japan. Sakura Mochi is made with glutinous rice flour, which is filled with sweet red bean paste and then wrapped in a salted Sakura leaf. The Sakura leaf gives the mochi a subtle Sakura flavor and a beautiful pink hue.

The glutinous rice flour used to make Sakura Mochi is typically dyed pink with Sakura petals or food coloring to further enhance the Sakura aesthetic. The sweet red bean paste filling is made from azuki beans, which are cooked and sweetened with sugar. The filling is typically wrapped in the mochi before it is steamed or grilled to create a soft and chewy texture. Sakura Mochi is a popular snack in Japan and is often enjoyed as part of a picnic or Hanami (Cherry Blossom viewing) party. The delicate Sakura taste and the beautiful pink color make it a visually appealing snack that is perfect for celebrating the arrival of spring in Japan.

One delicious option for hanami is this Muji Sakura Daifuku Mochi, crafted with salted cherry blossom leaves and white bean paste. The delicate floral taste of Sakura perfectly compliments the lighter flavor of sweet white bean paste. Each element is carefully tucked into a pillowy, chewy bite of mochi.

2. Sakura Onigiri

Another popular hanami delight is the Sakura onigiri, seasoned rice balls featuring salt-pickled cherry blossom flowers. Salt-pickled cherry blossoms are the highlight of this dish, as they add a stunning aesthetic to the rice balls. Additionally, the pickled flowers provide a lightly salty taste and aromatic floral scent. These cherry blossom snacks offer a multisensory experience while lounging under the Sakura trees.

The pickled cherry blossoms are made with particular blooms known as Yaezakura, which refers explicitly to Sakura flowers featuring five petals. The flowers are intentionally selected when young and soft and then processed through multiple steps, including salting, brining, drying, and preservation. After this process, the buds are used for various Sakura treats, from baked goods to savory snacks (like this onigiri).

These delightful rice balls can easily be made at home with a few ingredients, including short-grain rice, mochi mugi (aka barley), pickled Sakura flowers, sesame seeds, and salt. When making these rice balls, you can elevate the recipe by mixing Sakura Sour Plum Rice Seasoning into the rice, providing a festive pink color and delicious ume taste.

3. Sakura Manju

Sakura Manju is a traditional Japanese confectionery popular during the Sakura season. It is often enjoyed as a snack or dessert and is typically served with tea or coffee. It is a popular souvenir for visitors to Japan, as it is a tasty and beautiful representation of the Cherry Blossom season.

Additionally, this Sakura Manju is a sweet and delicate confectionery that is flavored with Sakura petals, giving it a unique and subtle taste. It is made by mixing Sakura petals and pink food coloring with the dough, which is then filled with sweet red bean paste and steamed until soft and fluffy. Some variations of Sakura Manju may also contain other ingredients, such as chestnuts, sweet bean paste, or other fillings. If you have the chance to try it, it is worth experiencing the delicate and subtle taste of this traditional treat.

Muji offers readymade Sakura manju, which will delight your tastebuds and senses. This Muji Sakura Steamed Buns pack has six delectable buns, each filled with sweet red bean paste. The exterior of the buns includes a scrumptious cherry blossom flavor and an irresistibly chewy consistency. Along with a Sakura taste, these buns have a light pink hue reminiscent of the Sakura tree blossoms.

4. Sakura KitKat

Sakura KitKat is a limited edition flavor of the popular KitKat chocolate bar that is available in Japan during the Sakura season. Sakura KitKat features a pink-colored white chocolate coating that is infused with Sakura petals, giving it a delicate and fragrant flavor. The Sakura KitKat was first introduced in Japan in 2004 and has since become a highly anticipated seasonal release. With its unique flavor and beautiful packaging, Sakura KitKat has become an iconic part of the Sakura season in Japan.

The pack of Sakura KitKat is also unique and typically features Cherry Blossom motifs, making it a popular souvenir for tourists visiting Japan during the Sakura season. The limited edition nature of Sakura KitKat also adds to its appeal, with fans eagerly anticipating its release each year. In addition to the standard Sakura KitKat flavor, there have been several variations over the years, including Sakura Matcha, which features a green tea flavor, and Sakura Sake, which incorporates the taste of Japanese sake. Mini versions are also available in snack-sized bags, making them a convenient snack to enjoy.

5. Sakura Dorayaki

Sakura Dorayaki is a Japanese sweet type consisting of two small, pancake-like patties filled with sweet red bean paste and flavored with Sakura petals. Dorayaki is a popular Japanese confection that is typically enjoyed as a snack or dessert, and the addition of Sakura petals gives it a unique and soothing flavor. The delicate taste of the Sakura petals adds a subtle sweetness to the red bean paste filling, making it a perfect treat for Cherry Blossom viewing or enjoying as a dessert after a meal.

To make Sakura Dorayaki, the pancake batter is typically made from flour, sugar, eggs, and water, cooked on a griddle to create small, round pancakes. Once the pancakes are cooked, they are filled with sweet red bean paste and a small amount of Sakura petals. The two pancakes are then pressed together to create a sandwich-like confection. In addition to this traditional Sakura Dorayaki, some variations incorporate other flavors, such as matcha or chocolate. These variations add a modern twist to the traditional Japanese sweet and have become increasingly popular in recent years.

 These are known as the Little Dorayaki with Sakura Mochi in Japanese, giving consumers a clearer idea of what to expect inside this three-piece package. This Muji Sakura Dorayaki Mochi & Bean Paste has a strong sakura flavor, a satisfying variety of textures, and lovely aesthetics thanks to the colored dough marbling.

6. Sakura Matcha Pocky

Sakura matcha Pocky is a variation of the popular Japanese snack, Pocky that combines the flavors of Sakura and matcha. Pocky is a thin, stick-shaped biscuit coated in various sweet or savory coatings flavors. In the case of Sakura matcha Pocky, the biscuit is coated with creamy, light pink Sakura-flavored white chocolate and then dusted with matcha powder. The combination of Sakura and matcha creates a unique and delicate flavor that is both sweet and slightly bitter. The Sakura-flavored coating adds a subtle sweetness, while the matcha powder gives the Pocky a slightly earthy taste. The light pink color of the Sakura-flavored coating also adds a pretty and feminine touch to the snack.

Moreover, this Pocky Sakura Matcha is a popular limited-edition flavor that is released seasonally in Japan during the Sakura season. It is also available in some specialty Japanese snack stores around the world, making it a sought-after treat for those who enjoy Japanese snacks and the delicate taste of Cherry Blossoms. This Sakura matcha Pocky combines the flavors of two iconic Japanese ingredients - Sakura and matcha; that is worth experiencing.

How to Enjoy Sakura Snacks?

Sakura snacks are best enjoyed during the Sakura season, which starts in late March and lasts until mid-April with your family and friends. During this time, the Japanese people celebrate the Sakura by having Hanami parties, where they gather under the Sakura trees to enjoy food and drinks while admiring the beautiful flowers. Both locals and tourists alike love to see cherry blossoms in bloom. People continue to go to Japan to see the cherry blossoms from all around the world. You can either bring snacks, make your sakura-inspired bento box from home, or buy them at the nearby convenience store or department store.

If you have the opportunity to visit Japan during the Sakura season, use this guide to plan your excursions to the best cherry blossom spots across Japan.

When enjoying Sakura's best snacks, it is recommended to pair them with Japanese green tea or other Japanese teas. The delicate Sakura flavor of the snacks complements the light and refreshing taste of Japanese tea, making for a perfect combination. In addition, under the vividly pink cherry blossom trees, there will be outdoor gatherings where guests can enjoy seasonal fare and the splendor of the cherry blossoms while snacking the sakura popular snacks. Even when the sun sets, parties can continue all day long. These nighttime celebrations, known as Yozakura or "night cherry blossom," are charming and provide a fresh viewpoint by illuminating the cherry blossoms with an ethereal glow.

Where to Find Sakura Snacks?

Sakura snacks are typically available in Japan during the Sakura season, which starts in late February and lasts until mid-April. You can find Sakura snacks at Japanese convenience stores, supermarkets, and specialty stores during this time. Many souvenir shops also carry Sakura snacks, making them a popular gift for tourists visiting Japan during the Sakura season.

In addition to physical stores, you can also find Sakura snacks online through our Sugoi Mart website, which ships worldwide. We offer a wider selection of Sakura snacks, including limited edition and hard-to-find items. Visit us now!

Grab your Sakura Snacks Now!

Sakura snacks are a delicious and visually appealing part of Japanese culture. These snacks incorporate the delicate flavor of the Sakura flower and are typically enjoyed during the Sakura season. From traditional sweets like Sakura Mochi and Sakura Manju to creative variations like Sakura Kit Kat and Sakura Dorayaki, there is a Sakura snack for everyone to enjoy. So if you have the chance to visit Japan during the Sakura season, be sure to try some of these delightful snacks and experience the beauty of Sakura in a whole new way. Make sure to check out Sugoi Mart for more Sakura products as well as our very own Sakura Lucky Bag for the best selection of Japanese cherry blossoms merch and snacks!