I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with ICHIGO Inc., the team behind the delightful subscription services TokyoTreat and Sakuraco. As someone who has always been captivated by traditional Japanese sweets, I was thrilled at the opportunity to explore the Sakuraco box, especially since it can be quite a challenge to find authentic and diverse selections even here in sunny California!

To make this tasting experience even more enjoyable, I invited my friend Nancy, who had never tried Japanese sweets before. It was the perfect balance between my familiarity with these treats and her fresh perspective. Together, we dove into the wonderful world of wagashi, the seasonal traditional sweets of Japan.

What is the Autumn Moon Viewing Festival?

Tsukimi (月見), or “moon-viewing,” is a cherished Japanese festival that pays homage to the autumn moon, celebrated throughout the country. Reflecting on my own experiences, I remember attending several Tsukimi festivals while living in Japan, surrounded by family and friends. The combination of enjoying flavorful traditional foods and sweets, while admiring the luminous beauty of the autumn moon, created unforgettable moments that stay with me to this day. Now, many evenings you’ll still find me outside, gazing at the moon here in California!

Treats in the Sakuraco Subscription Box that We LOVED:

Kokuto Kinako Mochi

Both Nancy and I were smitten with the delightful taste of Kokuto Kinako Mochi. There’s just something about mochi that captures the essence of comfort in a sweet treat.

Tsukimi Candy

We found the pear-flavored Tsukimi Candy a delightful surprise, surpassing the grape variety in terms of refreshment and flavor.

Black Sesame Miso Arare

This unique snack paired beautifully with a glass of sake or beer, making it a perfect umami treat for the evening.

Hokkaido Sweet Potato

This sweet potato treat amazed us with its moist texture and rich flavor—without being overly sweet.

Tsukimi Ryokucha (Green Tea)

This green tea was an instant winner, perfectly complementing our sweets.

Tsukimi Mikan Cream Cookie

Even though these delightful cookies arrived broken, their delicious flavor left us wanting more.

Chestnut Dorayaki

There’s no denying it: the Chestnut Dorayaki was simply delicious.

Custard Taiyaki

This taiyaki was another memorable treat, leaving us both satisfied and eager for another bite.

To top off this delightful experience, the box included a traditional Tsukimi ceramic dish from Gifu Prefecture, featuring adorable rabbits dancing under the moonlight. Additionally, an informative booklet accompanied the box, detailing the history of the Tsukimi festival and the origins of each treat, complete with vivid photographs.

The thoughtful curation of sweets from various regions of Japan stood out to us, showcasing the unique offerings of each prefecture. Sakuraco collaborates with family-owned businesses passionate about snack-making, promoting local artisanship and sharing these treasures with the world.

Some misses:

While many treats were delightful, not every item won us over:

Usagi Pon Senbei

This one missed the mark entirely, lacking flavor.

Kodaimai Senbei

While crunchy, they were surprisingly dry, leaving us wanting more moisture.

Cocoa Black Soybeans

The flavor balance here wasn’t just right, resulting in a less enjoyable experience.

Usagi Hozui

This treat’s texture felt tough and not as flavorful as expected, which was disappointing as I typically enjoy it.

Lemon Baked Chocolate

While lemon is one of my favorite flavors, the chocolate in this treat was hard to detect. The rice puffs added a nice crunch, but the flavor imbalance was notable.

Minor Quibbles and Suggestions:

Packing Better to Avoid Breakages: I was surprised that some treats arrived broken. While the beauty and care in other elements of the box were commendable, a little more attention to packing could enhance the unboxing experience.

Delivery Signing: Unlike my experiences with other boxes from Japan, having to sign for delivery was a bit of a hassle, particularly since it interrupted important calls.

Despite these minor setbacks, if you’re curious about exploring a Japanese treats subscription box, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Sakuraco a try!