Are you looking for a fun and delicious subscription box filled with artisanal Japanese treats? The Sakuraco Box might be exactly what you’re looking for! We were kindly invited to try out this box, and in this review we’ll share our personal experience and give our honest opinion on whether it’s worth trying.
We love delicious food-related subscription boxes, they are a fantastic way to discover and try new or unfamiliar products. And who doesn’t like opening a mystery box full of delicious goodies to try?!
Travelling to Japan is still high on our wishlist, so this box gave us the perfect opportunity to explore Japan, one bite at a time, all from the comfort of our home.
In this review, we’ll take you through our experience with the Sakuraco Box - from first impressions to contents, pros and cons, and finally, whether we think this box is worth subscribing to!
Quick Guide to the Sakuraco Box Review
- What is the Sakuraco Box?
- First Impressions & Unboxing Experience
- This month’s Japanese Home Good: Porcelain Teacup
- Delicious Discoveries: Sakuraco Box Snacks & Taste Test
- Subscription Box Features
- Who Is The Sakuraco Box For?
- Pros of the Sakuraco Box
- Cons of the Sakuraco Box
- Final Thoughts: Is the Sakuraco Box Worth It?
1. What is the Sakuraco Box?
The Sakuraco Box is a monthly subscription service that delivers a curated selection of artisanal Japanese sweets, snacks, teas, and even home goods. Each box is carefully themed around a particular aspect of Japanese culture, tradition or seasonal occasion. The Sakuraco Box offers a unique opportunity to explore Japan’s culinary traditions and craftsmanship from the comfort of your home.
Inside each box, you’ll find 20 authentic items, ranging from traditional sweets and savoury treats to beautifully crafted teas and a unique piece of Japanese homeware. These items are sourced from local makers across Japan, ensuring a genuine and high-quality experience with every box.
2. First Impressions & Unboxing Experience
The first thing we noticed about the Sakuraco Box, was its gorgeous packaging. The box itself is a stunning dark pink colour, adorned with delicate sakura cherry blossom designs and elegant gold foil details. Everything about the presentation feels luxurious and thoughtfully curated. The outside of the box set the tone for an exciting unboxing experience.
Upon opening, the attention to detail continued to impress. Although the box looked small, it was packed to the brim with beautifully packaged products, each one an authentic Japanese treat. It truly felt like Christmas had come early! One extra surprise was the home good, that was carefully wrapped inside an additional cardboard box. Inside was a gorgeous floral teacup, a lovely addition that gave the box a more personal and artistic touch.
When you first open the box you’ll find a snack guide and postcard on top. The 24-page full-colour booklet is filled with information about each product, background on this month’s theme and fascinating cultural insights. One fun fact is that the snack guide was laid out from right to left, just like books are read in Japan! This small but thoughtful detail truly enhanced the experience, making it feel even more authentic.
The included postcard features a beautiful drawing on the front and a personal and themed note from the founder on the back. This little keepsake adds a lovely personal touch.
This month’s theme was ‘Colors of Kyoto’. Here’s a snippet from the booklet: “When autumn descends, Kyoto embraces the arrival of koyo - the mesmerizing transformation of autumn leaves. In a breathtaking blend of seasonal beauty and history, the city’s temples, shrines, and gardens are bathed in vibrant shades of red and gold.”
Shipping Experience
The shipping experience was a breeze. Despite coming all the way from Japan, the box arrived in just four days via DHL Express. We were genuinely surprised by how fast it arrived—especially for something travelling halfway across the world. The box itself was in perfect condition, and the packaging ensured that everything inside was secure and well-protected.
You can watch the full unboxing video on my Instagram Reels to see the gorgeous details for yourself!
3. This month’s Japanese Home Good: Porcelain Teacup
One of the unique features of the Sakuraco Box is that it includes an authentic piece of Japanese homeware sourced from traditional makers. Each month you’ll get a ceramic home good (dish, cup, plate), chopsticks, or a furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth). The addition of these gorgeous items make this box stand out from other subscription snack boxes. If you’re subscribed to this box you’ll grow a beautiful collection of traditional pieces from different regions of Japan.
For this month’s box, we received a stunning Floral Kamon Yunomi, a porcelain teacup crafted by artisans at Sanpou Touen in Gifu. According to the accompanying booklet, the delicate design of this cup features vibrant flowers, symbolising the beauty of Kyoto in autumn. The fine details and craftsmanship of this teacup are truly stunning. It’s the perfect new addition to our tea collection.
4. Delicious Discoveries: Sakuraco Box Snacks & Taste Test
What Snacks Are Included in the Box?
This month’s theme is ‘Colors of Kyoto’ and that theme has been implemented in every aspect of this box. Specific fall flavours, typical autumnal treats for the Kyoto region and a gorgeous teacup are included to celebrate the Koyo season. One thing that really stood out to us when reading the accompanying booklet was that almost all the snacks are also made in Kyoto!
Another fun aspect is that most items are provided in pairs of two, or are big enough to share. This makes the box perfect to experience together with a friend, or you get to taste some treats twice!
Below you’ll find a list with all the tasty treats, the snack guide description and our personal taste test review!
Fried Ginkgo Nuts
“Enjoy the satisfying crunch and depth of flavor in these ginkgo nuts. Fried under reduced pressure to achieve a light, salty flavor, they offer a subtly bitter but addictive taste.”
Taste Test:
These bright yellow nuts are very crunchy and lightly salted. Like the snack guide already mentioned they have a subtle bitter aftertaste. At first, this is quite peculiar, as it's not a flavour we are used to, but they are definitely addictive and very delicious. These crunchy ginkgo nuts would pair well with a beer or cocktail!
Kyoto Arare
“Savor this delightful assortment of seven different types of Kyoto Arare. Crafted using domestic glutinous rice, they allow you to experience a medley of classic arare flavors.”
Taste Test:
This medley of rice crackers blew us away. The packaging was beautiful and when opened you are immediately greeted with a delicious aroma. The fragrant sweet and savoury smell reminded us a bit of the flavour of sweet soy sauce. The seven savoury rice snacks each have a very distinct flavour and mouthfeel. Some are thin and crunchy, others thick and airy (almost like a more crunchy version of popcorn), and there was even one snack wrapped in a nori (seaweed) sheet. They are savoury, salty but with a hint of sweetness. Lots of umami flavour, but you can also still taste the rice. We were amazed by the balance of flavours and textures in this mix.
Osodefuri Soybean Okaki
“Crafted with Osodefuri soybeans specially cultivated in the Tokachi Plain of Hokkaido and lightly seasoned with a touch of salt, these rice crackers offer truly authentic flavors.”
Taste Test:
These crunchy rice crackers are light and airy. They have a very satisfying crunch when bitten into and a lightly salted, nutty flavour. The soybeans are sprinkled throughout and give this snack its ‘nuttiness’. We are familiar with this type of snack, but it has a much richer flavour than the ordinary supermarket variety we can buy in Europe.
Matcha Cream Roll Cookie
“Discover Gion Tjujiri’s matcha masterpiece - a delicate rice cracker roll enfolding a luscious, stone-ground matcha cream infused with Uji matcha. Savor the rich flavors of matcha as it unfolds on your palate.”
Taste Test:These cute little matcha rolls are individually wrapped and perfect to snack on with a delicious cup of tea. The outer cookie is crunchy and the filling is creamy and thick. The velvety inside has the texture of softened butter, and that distinct, almost grassy, matcha flavour. This cookie starts sweet but has a slightly bitter aftertaste that is very similar to matcha tea.
Matcha Chocolate Crunch
“This Kyoto confection, created as a souvenir for a renowned temple, is created using a blend of high-quality matcha chocolate with nutritious azuki beans and traditional okoshi, or puffed rice.”
Taste Test:These matcha chocolate crunch cookies are also individually wrapped and when opened we were greeted with the delicious aroma of white chocolate. These chocolate treats are crispy, nutty, rich and sweet at the same time. We assume that the nuttiness comes from the azuki beans. When tasting this snack we were both very impressed by the perfect blend and balance of matcha with white chocolate, you can taste both elements and neither overpowers the other.
Matcha Pudding
“This matcha pudding captures the essence of Kyoto with its rich, authentic matcha flavor and silky smooth texture, making it a refined and indulgent dessert experience.”
Taste Test:
This matcha pudding looks small and unassuming, the packaging is very simple and straightforward and doesn’t really tempt you. However, when we tasted this pudding we were both blown away by its rich and sweet matcha flavour. The pudding is sweet and tastes like a creamy matcha tea with delicious grassy notes. This pudding has a very soft, creamy, rich and smooth mouthfeel. The flavour itself tastes very natural, there was no chemical aftertaste. This can easily be served as a delicious dessert to finish off a Japanese-themed dinner.
Momiji & Chestnut Wagashi
“These wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets, capture Kyoto’s autumn beauty. The momiji, or maple leaf, features a sweet jelly encasing yokan, while the chestnut-shaped wagashi combines two types of bean paste, layered for a soft texture and rich flavor.”
Taste Test:
These candies immediately stood out to us. They look so beautiful and are almost too pretty to eat. The colours are not neon bright, like they can be with regular sweets, but look like they are more naturally coloured. The chestnut-shaped wagashi is soft and sweet. It has a rich flavour and a slightly starchy texture, probably because of the bean paste. This sweet treat is soft and squashable and will melt in your mouth. The maple leaf momji was a bit firmer in texture and couldn’t be squashed. This one has distinct outer layers and a filling. Texture-wise the momji can best be compared to a jelly candy such as a gummy bear. Both candies have soft, subtle flavours and are coated in a thin layer of sugar that gives them a crunchy outer texture.
Soba Boro
“Enjoy the artisanal craftsmanship of these traditional Kyoto confections, meticulously crafted using soba, or buckwheat, flour and baked to perfection for a sweet, crisp delight.”
Taste Test:
Included in the box was a big bag of these round, flower-shaped cookies. They are very crunchy and taste a bit like sponge cake, with hint of vanilla in the background. They are very light and airy. It’s the perfect cookie to pair with a cup of tea. It’s a good thing they came in such a big bag, because they are quite addictive!
Nikki Yatsuhashi
“Yatsuhashi, a cherished Kyoto delicacy, has a delightful crisp texture and graceful cinnamon flavor. Baked in the likeness of a Japanese harp, or koto, each piece echoes a timeless culinary art.”
Taste Test:
This cookie looks very simple, maybe even a bit boring, but packs a punch! We first noticed the cinnamon aroma; it’s very spicy and fall-like. When biting into this cookie we found it was crunchy and crispy, it has a very satisfying ‘crack’ where it breaks apart. Once in your mouth, the sweetness and autumn spices come through. This small cookie looks simple, but has the most flavour! It reminded us a bit of gingerbread cookies, but with more cinnamon and with a better ‘snap’. They are absolutely perfect for the autumn season and we’d even like to snack on these around Christmas time.
Yuzu Dorayaki
“Indulge in the refreshing flavors of this delectable dorayaki - filled with a luscious white bean paste and embraced by wheat dough from Mie Prefecture that has been infused with yuzu from Ehime Prefecture.”
Taste Test:
This big snack is soft and airy. It looks a bit like two pancakes with a filling in between. You can smell the gorgeous citrusy aroma of yuzu when opening the package. The cookie part is soft and spongy, almost like cake. The white bean paste filling is thick and sweet and has the texture of smooth thickened puree. The subtle yuzu flavour will linger in your mouth after eating this treat.
Kitsune Senbei
“Crafted as a souvenir for Kyoto’s renowned Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, this subtly sweet senbei features a charming kitsune, or fox, face holding a key or a jewel - two things treasured by the gods.”
Taste Test:
This cookie definitely wins first prize in ‘cuteness’. The snack guide gives more background on the cultural significance of kitsunes and it was fascinating to learn more about this aspect of Japanese culture. The cookie itself is crunchy, crispy, light and has the perfect amount of sweetness. Flavourwise, it reminded us a bit of a waffle ice cream cone. It’s like a crispy vanilla cake in cookie form.
Sweet Potato Pie
“This confection has a luscious sweet potato paste filling delicately enveloped in several layers of flaky puff pastry. With a perfect balance of sweetness, it’s a delightful and wholesome treat.”
Taste Test:
This sweet potato pie might look small, but this treat is actually quite substantial. The filling is very sweet and has a rich aroma with an aftertaste that reminds us of molasses. The sweet potato puree filling is thick and we thought was a bit claggy. You can still also taste the puff pastry outer layer, and combined with a cup of tea to cut through the richness of the sweet potato filling this is a wonderful snack.
Sencha Tea
“Sencha, a beloved Japanese green tea, is cherished for its refreshing taste. Meticulously cultivated using a traditional method from Uji, Kyoto, where the tea leaves are steamed and hand-rolled during drying, sencha has a vibrant color and delightful aroma.”
Taste Test:
This Sencha green tea is a light green colour and has a fresh grassy aroma. Its flavour is softer and more subtle than we expected. Sencha is one of our favourite types of green tea, so we were elated that two bags of this tea were included in the box. Drinking this tea out of the gorgeous teacup that was also included elevated the whole experience to another level!
Favourite Sakuraco Snack
Choosing a favourite treat out of all these delectable snacks is almost impossible. There were so many different types of snacks: sweet treats, savoury bites and three snacks that all focused on matcha tea. We also couldn’t agree on our choices, so personal taste plays into the results. We tried the snacks spread out over several evenings and each of us came up with our personal list of favs:
Kenan’s favourite snacks:
- Favourite Savoury Snack: Soybean Okaki
- Favourite Matcha Snack: Matcha Chocolate Crunch
- Favourite Sweet Treat Top 3:
- Matcha Chocolate Crunch
- Matcha Pudding
- Nikki Yatsuhashi
Raicha’s favourite snacks:
- Favourite Savoury Snack: Kyoto Arare
- Favourite Matcha Snack: Matcha Chocolate Crunch
- Favourite Sweet Treat Top 3:
- Nikki Yatsuhashi
- Matcha Chocolate Crunch
- Yuzu Dorayaki
The Matcha Chocolate Crunch and the Nikki Yatsuhashi have made it to both of our final top 3. We can tell you that we both reacted with a big “OMG, WOW!” to these two sweet treats when we tasted them for the first time. These snacks give you a little flavour explosion in your mouth so we decided they are the combined winners in this taste test!
However, we would like to give an extra mention to the savoury snacks that were absolutely divine. The sweet treats stole the spotlight because of how many there were, but that doesn’t mean the savoury bites should be forgotten! In fact, if we had to choose one favourite all-time snack it might even be the Kyoto Arare!
Ready to experience these delicious flavours yourself? Get your own Sakuraco Box and start tasting Japan today!
5. Subscription Box Features
Let’s lay down the facts of everything you need to know about the Sakuraco Box subscription.
Box Items
- Inside each Sakuraco Box, you’ll find an impressive variety of 20 authentic and artisanal Japanese snacks. These include sweet treats, savoury snacks and tea.
- Each item is sourced from local Japanese makers, showcasing unique aspects of traditional Japanese culture.
- In addition to the snacks, every box includes an authentic homeware piece such as ceramics (cups, dishes, plates), chopsticks, or a furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth). Over time this will provide you with a wonderful collection of Japanese home goods.
Snack & Culture Guide
Included with every box is a 24-page full-colour guide that dives deep into the local artisans, themes, and snack information. This guide enriches the experience by offering fascinating insights into the background and cultural significance of each item and the chosen theme.
Supporting Local Makers
Sakuraco works with many family-owned businesses across Japan, supporting artisans who have dedicated their lives to the craft of snack-making. Each box not only offers a delightful snacking experience but also helps to sustain these local communities.
Price Point
Sakuraco offers various subscription plans to suit your budget:
- 1 month: $37.50 per box
- 3 months: $35.50 per box (save $6) – $106.50 billed quarterly
- 6 months: $33.50 per box (save $24) – $201.00 billed bi-annually
- 12 months: $32.50 per box (save $60) – $390.00 billed annually
Payment must be made upfront, and accepted methods include PayPal and all major credit cards. Prices are listed in USD.
Shipping
- Each box is hand-packed and shipped directly from Japan.
- Shipping costs depend on your location.
- Worldwide delivery is available (extra charges for customs and VAT may apply).
6. Who Is The Sakuraco Box For?
Whether you’re a foodie, a Japan enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys exploring new cultures, the Sakuraco Box is a delightful way to experience traditional Japanese snacks from the comfort of your home. With this box, it’s like bringing a taste of Japan’s hidden treasures right to your doorstep.
Here are some more ideas if you’re still on the fence:
- This box is a unique gift idea! It’s perfect for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries or even a fun surprise for a loved one. The products are all artisanal and hard to find outside of Japan which makes this extra special. It’s easy to order just one box, or you could go for a longer subscription if you want to splurge!
- Exploring this box makes for a perfect date night at home! We had so much fun trying out the different snacks and reading about the origins while sipping on some green tea. You could even turn it into a complete evening; order some sushi for dinner, add in a Japanese movie to set the vibes and snack on these goodies for dessert!
If you’re looking for a fun experience to share with someone or just looking to treat yourself to something special, the Sakuraco Box is a wonderful way to explore Japan through its delicious treats.
7. Pros of the Sakuraco Box
We truly loved going through the contents of this box. We took our time and tried to experience the snacks over the course of a couple of evenings to give each item its deserved moment.
Here’s what we loved about the Sakuraco Box:
- The Sakuraco Box offers more than just a fun and tasty experience. The included snack guide provides rich cultural insights, making each treat feel more meaningful as you learn about the traditions and craftsmanship behind it.
- Another huge pro is the high quality and authenticity of the products. These aren’t just any snacks - they are artisanal, thoughtfully curated, and deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Going through the box is like taking a culinary trip to Japan without leaving your home.
- Sakuraco supports family-owned businesses and local artisans, which makes the box even more special.
- Each box contains an authentic piece of Japanese homeware, such as a beautifully crafted ceramic cup or dish, chopsticks, or even a furoshiki wrapping cloth. We loved the gorgeous little teacup that came with our box. In our opinion, these little keepsakes really make this box stand out from other food subscriptions.
- The full-colour booklet is super detailed and makes you understand the theme and background of the items. While reading the snack guide you’ll realise that every tiny little detail is planned meticulously, this really shows the dedication of the Sakuraco team. Inside the snack guide, you’ll find a description of the included items (including allergy information) but also more information about the chosen theme and even some cultural insights!
- The aesthetics of this box are simply stunning. First of all, we love that the box itself looks gorgeous with its beautiful colour and gold foil details, and isn’t just an ordinary boring brown cardboard. We’re keeping it and using it for storage of small items! The detailed snack guide acts like a personal guide that takes you on a trip around Japan. The stunning postcard gives such a nice personal touch. And the lovely little home good that can be used while trying out the snacks is the perfect keepsake.
- We loved that the contents of the box all followed the chosen theme. For us, this truly elevated the experience. Each box has its own specific theme, it can be based on the season, a particular holiday or even a specific city. This makes every box unique and always a surprise. You can check out past themes on the Sakuraco website to get a feel of what these boxes look like!
8. Cons of the Sakuraco Box
We think the Sakuraco Box offers an incredible experience, but there are some drawbacks to consider. For us, these ‘cons’ are not dealbreakers, but they are important to be aware of to avoid disappointment.
Here are some important things to keep in mind about the Sakuraco Box:
- The price of a one-time box is $37.50, and while this price point gets cheaper with longer subscriptions, shipping costs are not included. Depending on where you live, this can add up to an additional $12.50 per month.
- In certain regions, like the EU, you may be subject to custom fees and VAT. This has to do with your country’s governmental rules and is outside of Sakuraco’s control. To give you an example, under EU regulations the shipping company charged a fee of €23.51 in import duties, which had to be paid in order to receive the box.
- Another consideration is that while the box includes authentic Japanese products (which is an amazing feature!), the text on the packaging is obviously entirely in Japanese. The snack guide provides dietary guidelines, but there can sometimes be contradictions or unclear labelling. For instance, we noticed that some items are labelled as vegetarian-friendly, yet may contain traces of gelatin, shrimp or crab. This could be problematic for people with dietary restrictions or allergies.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time via their online portal, but keep in mind that you have to cancel your subscription before the renewal date! Your subscription will automatically be renewed for the same period you originally subscribed for, and the entire subscription payment will be charged upfront. While this might not be a big issue for a monthly or even quarterly subscription, this can get expensive with the bi-annual or annual subscriptions if you forget to cancel on time.
9. Final Thoughts: Is the Sakuraco Box Worth It?
Overall, our experience with the Sakuraco Box was incredibly positive. From the beautiful packaging to the intricate details in both the snacks and the homeware, the attention to detail truly stood out. The aesthetic was stunning, and we were consistently impressed by how each element—from the snacks to the cultural guide—was thoughtfully curated.
One of the key selling points of the Sakuraco Box is its cultural appeal. It offers a unique way to explore Japan from the comfort of your own home, which is a major draw for those who are intrigued by Japanese culture but may not have the opportunity to travel there. For those who have visited Japan, this box is a beautiful reminder of its rich traditions. For those who haven’t, it serves as an exciting introduction.
In terms of value for money, we believe the original price is definitely justified. The quality of the products is exceptional, with each snack showcasing artisanal craftsmanship. The fact that many of the products come from family-owned businesses and local artisans adds a heartwarming, authentic touch. However, the additional costs for shipping and possible import taxes can significantly raise the overall price. Whether or not it’s still worth it will depend on your personal financial situation.
Would we recommend the Sakuraco Box? Absolutely! For us, the pros far outweigh the cons. The entire experience was not only fun but also educational, giving us an insightful look into Japan’s history and culture through food. We spent several evenings trying out the different snacks so it gave us entertainment, something to talk about and new experiences all wrapped into one box!
Going through the contents of the box allowed us to discover the Japanese culture in a way that felt immersive and authentic. We love food and we love travelling to different countries so trying out this box was a match made in heaven. It truly felt like a mini city-trip to Kyoto!
