Japan boasts blooming cherry blossoms, neon-lit cities, divine cuisine and a rich culture. But if you can’t afford a ticket to head to the '“Land of the Rising Sun”, a subscription box from Sakuraco could be the next best thing. Tasting authentic Japanese snacks and tea is just a click away.

I love Japan, and for many years, it’s been at the top of my bucket list. Living in Barcelona, I’ve travelled around Europe a lot. But unfortunately, I haven’t had the time to get back over to Asia. I know I’ll get there one day, but for now, I’ll just have to post up on my computer and continue watching Japan travel vlogs.

The robot restaurants, high-speed bullet trains (shinkansen) and traditional tea ceremonies have been calling my name for quite some time. On top of all that, the food looks divine. Some of my favourite dishes include sushi, ramen and onigori. And if I’m honest, I’m salivating just thinking about the gastronomy scene here.

When I stumbled upon Sakuraco, I couldn’t help but dive deeper. Sakuraco is a platform that delivers traditional tea, seasonal sweets and Japanese food in a box. This felt like the perfect introduction to what to expect on my travels to Japan. So, let’s get into my experience.

My Experience with Sakuraco

When I travel, I love getting immersed in cultural experiences. I dig deep into a destination, connect with locals and uncover authentic aspects of life abroad. There’s only one thing that makes me more excited than this. And it’s food, glorious food.

I’ve read extensively about Japan’s food scene, and it’s one of the biggest things that’s drawn me to the country. I’ve dreamt about delectable sushi, sweet mochi, and everything else in between.

When my first Sakuraco snack box arrived, I couldn’t help but rip open the package, like some sort of a hungry, crazed, untamed animal. I’d been anticipating this for weeks on end. Sounds a bit dramatic, but I love food. Food is life. Lol.

I opened the box, admired the artwork and flipped open the guidebook. After skimming through the book, I peered over at the pool of packets, each of which was colourful and carefully decorated.

The snack box was brimming with an abundance of Japanese sweets, salty snacks and traditional teas. Right up my alley! The guidebook explained that each item represented a unique aspect of Japanese culture. And it really did feel like I was travelling to a different corner every time I ripped open a new packet.

I started my Sakuraco food journey with crispy yuzu senbei and sesame senbei, and slowly worked my way through the sweet treats. I sipped some bowcha roasted tea, which paired perfectly with the Noto sweet potato.

The cinnamon walnuts were salty and sweet, offering the best of both worlds. After indulging in the inventory of snacks, I opened up the Wakasa chopsticks. These colourful home goods were crafted in Wakasa region of Fukui.

My personal favourite was the Earl Grey and Gorojima cakes. These mouth-watering treats were soft and moist and came from the Kaga and Kanazawa regions. Seriously, the texture was heavenly.

I finished the Sakuraco snack box with my all-time number-one sweet treat, mochi balls. Many supermarkets in Barcelona sell mochi balls. Some are filled with ice cream, others with fruits. Needless to say, I’m fanatical when it comes to mochi, so I couldn’t wait to try Sakuraco’s original take on them.

These little mochi balls literally melted in my mouth. They were coated in kinako, roasted soybean flour and bursting with sweet hojicha, roasted green tea. If there’s one thing I could eat over and over again, it’s these bad boys right here.

I loved the fact that each snack is made by Japanese family-owned businesses. It felt like I was supporting the local community and getting an authentic insight into how things really are.

It’s safe to say that I finished this snack session in a food coma. But a happy one, at that. This Japanese snack box felt like the perfect introduction to the country’s cuisine. My palette was satiated, my stomach was full, and I waddled away from the experience a little more knowledgeable too.

If you’re interested in Japanese culture and food, Sakuraco’s snack boxes are a great way to appreciate an authentic experience.

I received the November box from Sakuraco, which is now no longer available. This season’s box ups the ante and features a jolly holiday theme. If you’re interested in spicing up your Christmas, be sure to check out the newest box, "Holidays in Hokkaido", here.

What’s Inside a Sakuraco Box?

Now that you’ve got the lowdown on my experience with Sakuraco, I bet you’re left with one question. What’s inside of each snack box? Here’s what to expect.

In each Japanese snack box, you’ll find more than 20 traditional treats. Bring your appetite, because this gem is jam-packed with scrumptious goods that’ll take you all around Japan.

The best part? All of the snacks are made by local artisans and family-run businesses. Each bite will have you feeling like you’ve landed in a different corner of the country.

As you savour the tastes of mouth-watering wagashi, flavour-packed senbei and konpeito, flip through the 24-page snack and culture guide. Take a deep dive into the region where your treats were made and learn about the fascinating cuisine and cultural practices.

Pair your snacks with the curated selection of Japanese tea, like hojicha and my personal favourite, matcha. Sakuraco boasts a new theme every month, so you’ll always be kept on the edge of your seat.

How Sakuraco Works

So, now we’ve covered everything you need to know about Sakuraco. Here’s how you can start your journey with these Japanese snack boxes:

1. Subscribe: Choose the subscription plan that works best for you. Sakuraco features affordable 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month subscription plans.

2. Receive: Get seasonal snacks, hand-picked sweets and Japanese teas sent to your door every month. Boom bam baby!

3. Taste: Lock lips with authentic snacks from all around Japan. Indulge in all the traditions, from the comfort of your own home! Elevate your experience with authentic home goods, like ceramics, chopsticks & furoshiki.

Tasty Japanese Snacks & Candy, and Beyond!

Get a taste of Japan with Sakuraco and let the adventure begin! I thoroughly enjoyed sampling snacks from peculiar parts of the country, and I can’t help but think that this is the perfect gift for friends and family.