Sakuraco is a curated Japanese snack box filled with authentic Japanese sweets and nibbles that would excite any wagashi-lover. Its generous range of bite-sized goodies embodying seasonal themes makes it one of the most popular Japanese monthly subscription services out there.
With a passion for excellent Japanese candy and munchies, we've subscribed to this monthly mystery snack pack and have it delivered to our doorsteps. Opening this surprise box always brings us back to our time working in Japan. The delectable treats and delicate Wafuu (和風) style design made the unboxing much more fun.
As avid Asian snack fans, we bring you our ultimate Sakuraco review. Based on our own experience and collating opinions from Reddit, we have condensed everything you need to know about this service.
In our review, we will cover seasonal promotions, prices, shipping processes, giveaways and monthly themes you can expect to see. We'll also address some common misconceptions and criticisms about the brand that we see online.
As Nippon snack lovers, we often review tasty snacks and snack boxes. We've also tried countless packages from this brand over the past few years. So, we have a good idea of what we're looking for in a worthy snack box. Let's get started on our ultimate Sakuraco box review to taste Japan in the comfort of your home.
Jump to:
- Quick Sakuraco Review Summary
- What is Sakuraco?
- What Is in a Sakuraco Box?
- Japanese Snacks Selection
- Japanese Tea Selection
- Are the Snacks Inside Exclusive?
- Do You Get the Same Snacks in a Sakuraco Box?
- Is the Homeware Cheap Quality?
- Monthly Themes
- Sakuraco Giveaway and Contests
- Sakuraco Box Price and Subscriptions
- Sakuraco Coupon and Promotions
- Sakuraco Shipping
- Is Sakuraco a Japanese Company?
- Are Bokksu and Sakuraco the Same?
- Who Would It Suit?
- Is Sakuraco Worth It?
Quick Sakuraco Review Summary
Sakuraco is worth it because they curate unique Japanese snacks inspired by the elegant Omotenashi culture. Each monthly box contains about 20 high-quality Japanese treats. These treats include traditional items like mochi, locally sourced teas and a range of artisanal nibbles.
Furthermore, each monthly subscription box has a distinctive theme that aims to provide a unique Japanese tea time experience for you at home. In addition, their subscription boxes always come with traditional home goods which adds to the value. Ultimately, this subscription service provides an exceptional offering at an affordable price.
Use the coupon code "HFT" to get $5 USD off your first order
Subscribe to them here
What is Sakuraco?
Sakuraco is a Japanese snack subscription service providing Japanese treats worldwide. They work closely with local artisans and family-owned makers to deliver an unforgettable unboxing experience to their customers.
This service offers a monthly subscription model that includes authentic Japanese snacks, teas, and sweets. Subscribers can also look forward to changing monthly themes that will transport them to Japan. This Japanese snack subscription company was founded in 2015 by Ayumi Chikamoto.
What Is in a Sakuraco Box?
Inside each Sakuraco box, you'll receive:
- 20 authentic Japanese snacks (which may include cake, sweets and candy)
- 2 Japanese artisan tea blends
- 1 traditional souvenir or home goods
- 24-page booklet on the snacks and cultural events
Japanese Snacks Selection
In our Sakuraco box review, we wanted to find out how many sweet and savoury treats you get. We love to see the balance of sweet vs. savoury treats for all our snack box reviews because not everyone likes sweet or entirely savoury mystery boxes.
As the Sakuraco subscription box is meant for a delightful Japanese tea-time experience, their Japanese treats are generally more sweet than savoury. However, everything inside was pleasantly mild-flavoured. This meant that it was neither too sweet nor salty for us.
Having said that, the candies and snacks included vary based on the monthly theme. So it's likely you may end up with a more balanced or slightly sweeter selection.
Savoury Treats
The Sakuraco box offers an assortment of savoury snacks with a mix of mildly salty and sour flavours. Some of these Japanese foods have a crunchy texture with different flavours, like curry, nori (seaweed), and umami.
You will also receive a good mix of modern and traditional snacks from their subscription boxes. For instance, the traditional rice crackers (senbei) have a crispy texture with a sweet or savoury taste. Sometimes, you'll even get this traditional Japanese food in different flavours like wasabi, curry, red chilli (togarashi) and shrimp (ika).
Other delightful savoury treats offered include mame mochi and sakura arare. Mame mochi is a soft, fluffy nibble with a rich, umami taste. It is also often filled with peanuts and tastes slightly salty. Meanwhile, sakura arare is a crunchy rice cracker with a cute cherry blossom shape.
Sweet Nibbles
The sweet snacks in the Sakuraco box have a mix of sweet and mildly sweet variations. We think they also strike a good balance between modern and classic Japanese sweets. It's this exact combination that makes us think this snack subscription is perfect for a tea-time experience at home.
From our past boxes, they've also included Japanese sweets like castella cake, taiyaki, and momiji manju. Castella cake is a moist, sweet pastry with earthy flavours. Meanwhile, taiyaki is a crispy, fish-shaped pastry with adzuki bean filling. Furthermore, manju is a steamed bun with a smooth mouthfeel and a sweet anko filling.
You will also receive Japanese candy like konpeito and ame candy. These candies come in different shapes and colours, making them best for a quick fix for sweet tooth cravings. You might even get to try some of their delicious Sakura Japanese sweets during the spring season. While we do think some of the classic candies lean towards being sweeter, they always provide artisan tea blends that complement the candy so well.
Japanese Tea Selection
Along with the high-quality wagashi, these monthly subscription boxes also come with two packs of premium Japanese tea blends. While you might get well-known teas like Matcha and Hojicha, the brand tends to introduce you to more regional flavours.
For example, in one month we received Genmaicha sourced from Hokkaido. Meanwhile, during spring, we received an amazingly fragrant sakura tea, which went great alongside their sakura Japanese sweets.
The Japanese teas offered will also vary depending on the monthly theme. There is also a stellar variation of seasonal teas that are hard to find outside Japan. For instance, the smooth-textured Yamagarashi Aged Sencha with tart-like undertones.
They also source regional teas. For example, the Genmai Black Bean Hojicha from Niigata offers a robust taste of sweet black beans. Previously, they had also included an exotic blend of Ibaraki Sencha and ceremonial Matcha powder.
Are the Snacks Inside Exclusive?
The snacks offered by Sakuraco are hard to find outside Japan. This subscription service delivers premium Japanese treats with finer quality than your run-of-the-mills snack box.
We have seen some Sakuraco box review comments on Reddit saying that they received typical cheap snacks. However, based on our experience, most treats in this mystery package are not cheap and are relatively exclusive.
We have tried many Sakuraco subscription boxes and every time we found that the snacks are of high quality. You also can't find them easily in convenience stores in Japan. Even if you can find some of the treats from a konbini in Japan, the treat box allows you to try them from the comfort of your home. You also won't find all of the snacks in one place. So, it takes the legwork out.
Furthermore, you generally won't be able to find the snacks from this subscription box on Amazon or overseas Asian supermarkets. Even if they were, they would be much more pricer than the services’ offerings and certainly would not provide the same curated experience.
Do You Get the Same Snacks in a Sakuraco Box?
You don't get the same snacks in every Sakuraco box. With a changing monthly theme, it's unlikely that you will receive the same treats every month. While some complaints and Sakuraco box reviews on Reddit say the snacks are repetitive, we didn't experience this issue.
Although you may receive the same types of drinks like sakura tea, matcha or hojicha, these blends come from different regions, and different flavours based on the seasonal theme. The same goes for their snacks.
Having said that, you might get similar munchies from the previous year. Even so, the repeat items generally only appear once and the entirety of the theme is different.
Is the Homeware Cheap Quality?
Another common criticism we see about Sakuraco is that the traditional homeware and souvenirs they include are cheap. Some people on Reddit have mentioned that theirs have broken or feel like plastic.
In our opinion, the homeware you get in each Sakuraco subscription box is not cheap and is of good quality. We've received items like bowls, glassware and plates before and they all felt sturdy and built to last.
We are still using a bowl we received in a package from 2021. Some of the gold paint has come off from frequent use but the overall condition is still great.
Monthly Themes
Sakuraco snack box focuses on providing good value through uniquely curated content based on changing monthly themes. These themes are carefully selected to represent different Japanese cultures, festivals, and prefectures.
As an example for our Sakuraco box review, we received the "Moonlit Sakura" cherry blossom-themed pack. Within this Moonlit Sakura edition, they provided an array of authentic Japanese pink-coloured treats like mini plum mochi, sakura Japanese sweets and Ichigo roll cake.
More importantly, the package also included a 24-page booklet explaining the Moonlit Sakura seasons and a brief guide about all the snacks. The snack guides highlight interesting information regarding Japanese culture and history. To wrap up our snacking experience, we paired the pink, peach hibiscus tea with an exclusive glass cup.
Apart from seasonal themes, they often create location-based themes that showcase the beauty and creativity of food makers in the local region. For example, the "Tea-Time in Yokohama" theme featured premium Yokohama artisans. Subscribers enjoyed Yokohama-special dorayaki cakes, pear jelly and roast hojicha during that month.
Everything from the wagashi's flavours, the packaging, the package design, cultural information and local stories are tied together to provide you with a wholesome Japanese tea time escapade. This is what Sakuraco is great at doing and what we love about their monthly thematic experiences.
Sakuraco Giveaway and Contests
The brand runs a giveaway and photo competition for its subscribers every month. They also hold reviewer contests and announce their lucky winners on their website. By sharing your Sakuraco box review on social media, you could win a free box, authentic tableware, and other locally-made goodies. They also give a sponsored trip to Japan to a few lucky winners.
Additionally, you can gain reward points through their reward program streaks. These points can be redeemed into bonus rewards or even a lifetime discount. All you have to do is stay updated with their social media and website announcements.
Sakuraco Box Price and Subscriptions
The price of 1 Sakuraco box in 2023 is $37.50. It is the best value Japanese snack box with the most affordable price compared to other brands like Bokksu.
Although there are cheaper options like the Mashi box or Japan Candy Box, you will get a lot fewer snacks and there are no high-quality home goods. In addition, some of these cheaper boxes don't offer any drinks or even a selection of Japanese teas. These factors make the Sakuraco box worth it and best for value.
Moreover, you can get a good value out of their multi-monthly subscription. You can choose between a 3-month, a 6-month, or even an annual subscription plan.
Can You Stop Your Subscription?
You can stop your subscription with Sakuraco at any time without charge. The cancellation can be made from the Customers Portal.
To cancel your subscription, log in to your account and click the "My Account Dashboard" under the Home tab. Then, choose "View Plan" and scroll to the bottom. Click "Cancel Subscription".
Before cancelling your account, you must answer a few questions on the cancel confirmation page. If you cancel a multi-month payment, you may still use your subscription until the end of your then-current subscription.
Alternatively, you can also contact their customer service or use the website form to confirm your cancellation. Furthermore, their team is very active on Reddit and aims to solve any issues.
Sakuraco Coupon and Promotions
From what we've seen, there are always promotions when you subscribe to this mystery snack package.
These include promotional gifts, exclusive bonuses, and seasonal Sakuraco coupons. The promo gifts may include kitchenware set items, traditional Wafuu home items and more. Meanwhile, the Sakuraco coupon codes are used when you sign up for their subscription.
You can use the Sakuraco coupon code "HFT" to get $5 USD off your first order with Sakuraco.
Most of the promotions are usually valid for first-time subscribers only. However, current subscribers can join these promotions by upgrading or extending their existing subscriptions. You can contact their customer service or check their website for any active Sakuraco promo code.
We love these promotional items as most of the products are of good quality and are exclusive too. They add value to the entire subscription. So, do factor in these points when you make a decision on which snack box to subscribe to.
Sakuraco Shipping
Sakuraco shipping is done directly from Tokyo, where the company is based. Once your order is confirmed, Sakuraco will prepare and pack your subscription boxes within 3 to 5 days before handing them to the courier.
These subscription boxes are also delivered worldwide. So, if you live in the US, Canada, UK, or Australia, you can still make the purchase.
In addition, the service states on their website that they don't bear the cost of any customs fees. So, you must fork out extra cash if your country charges a customs fee or tax for imported goods.
Delivery Time
The estimated delivery time will vary depending on the Sakuraco shipping method.
For example, you can expect to receive the box between 3 and 5 days through DHL shipping. Meanwhile, Express Shipping can take 5 to 10 days to deliver the package. As for Japan Post Priority Shipping and Surface Mail, the expected delivery time can be up to 28 and 90 days.
First-time subscribers with a multi-month subscription will receive their second month's box earlier than subscribers with a monthly plan.
Packaging
Upon receiving the package, you will get a glossy card box wrapped in bubble wrap. The Sakuraco box is printed with a unique cherry blossom design. Sakura translates to cherry blossom in Japanese, aligning with the brand's identity. The box's colour and the eye-catching Sakura design will also vary based on their monthly theme.
The Japanese food inside is individually sealed in plastic to prevent damage that may happen during delivery. In our experience, the snacks arrived in good condition with a few minor cracks on the biscuits. However, this small defect doesn't limit our overall experience of enjoying these snacks.
Is Sakuraco a Japanese Company?
Sakuraco is a registered company in Japan and is a reliable Japanese snack subscription service. It is owned by Ayumi Chikamoto, a founder of Ichigo Inc. Ayumi is also the founder and owner of Tokyo Treat, a sister brand that focuses on trending Japanese snacks, and YumeTwins, another subscription service that provides kawaii plushies and home goods.
They have a wide customer base with countless Sakuraco reviews across Google, Reddit, and social media. There are also numerous positive Sakuraco reviews from verified buyers on their official website.
We had a look and saw that their customer demographic is mostly from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
Are Bokksu and Sakuraco the Same?
The key difference between Bokksu and Sakuraco is that the former offers a range of bite-sized delicate snacks with a good balance between sweet and savoury. Meanwhile, the latter mystery package aims to provide a delightful tea-drinking experience with its more sweet than savoury treats.
For us, Bokksu provides an exclusive snacking experience for one person, while Sakuraco boxes can be enjoyed alone or shared between two people. Although you can still share Bokksu's Japanese treats, we feel that Sakuraco's offering is more suitable for sharing. For example, you get one tea bag in the former box, while the latter package offers two tea bags.
However, Bokksu does curate a more premium selection of treats that is difficult to find anywhere else and focuses a lot more on delivering a luxury feel. For more details, have a look at our in-depth review of these two snack boxes in our Sakuraco vs Bokksu guide.
Who Would It Suit?
The Sakuraco subscription box would suit teenagers and adults looking to experience an authentic Japanese snacking experience in a tiny box. With different types of Japanese sweets and candy, this snack subscription also can be turned into birthday gifts for older children. Most snacks in the box come in pairs or are large enough for sharing. Hence, they are great for sharing between two people, and the two tea bags included make the perfect finish for tea time.
They also release an exclusive edition to celebrate Valentine's Day each February. So, if you're looking to surprise your loved ones with something exquisite, a Sakuraco snack box would make the perfect token of appreciation.
As explained, most treats in this mystery box are hard to find in convenience stores. This factor makes the Sakuraco subscription box exclusive, especially for Western audiences.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Convenient curated mix of modern and traditional sweets and savoury treats | No control over what items you'll get |
| Hard to find in convenience stores and overseas | More sweet than savoury treats |
| Seasonal and regional treats | Depending on your country, shipping might take more than 3 weeks |
| Detailed allergen-friendly guide | Shipping and customs fees are not included |
| Supports local snack makers | Annual subscribers might see occasional repeat items |
| Exclusive artisan tea blends | |
| Includes good quality Japanese homeware | |
| Subscriber exclusive rewards |
Is Sakuraco Worth It?
In our experience, Sakuraco is worth it, especially for people looking to experience authentic Japanese snacks without travelling abroad. This mystery box is affordable, with different sweet and savoury treats and premium Japanese teas coinciding with monthly themes. Moreover, the inclusion of a small home and kitchen item adds to the overall value and experience of the box.
In addition, they offer worldwide delivery. They also offer seasonal promotions with free shipping for new and existing subscribers. Customers also can get a massive bang for their buck with monthly bonuses, community giveaways, and competitions that reward their customers with free boxes and exclusive gifts.
Subscribe to Sakuraco with our coupon code HFT to get $5 USD off your first order.
Does Sakuraco automatically renew?
Your snack subscription will automatically renew at the end of the plan's cycle. For instance, if you subscribe to a monthly plan, it will renew at the end of every month. Meanwhile, for a 3-month subscription, they will renew at the end of the third month.
Is Tokyo Treat expensive?
Tokyo Treat is not expensive. It is another affordable snack box priced at the same rate as the Sakuraco box.
What is the difference between Bokksu and Sakuraco?
The main difference between Bokksu and Sakuraco is that the former offers a balanced mix of sweet and savoury treats. In contrast, this mystery box focuses on giving a delightful Japanese tea experience with its sweet and savoury snacks. You can check out our YouTube video for further comparison.
For more in-depth reviews and recommendations on the best Japanese snacks, check out our YouTube Channel.
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