Seasonal snacks are one of my favorite things about Japan. During spring, the theme is sakura treats! Made using REAL cherry blossom recipes.
From convenience stores to cafés, restaurants, and supermarkets, you’ll find sakura treats all over Japan during the spring months of February, March, and April.
Having tried countless cherry sakura-flavored goods already, I decided to make a list of my 5 favorite sakura treats to celebrate this year’s cherry blossom season in Japan!
1. Frozen Cherry Blossom Parfait
First up is one of the easiest to access, the frozen cherry blossom parfait! Available at any 7-Eleven store in Japan during spring, you can find these delicious goods in the ice cream section for about 300 yen (2 USD).
It may look small, but this frozen cherry blossom parfait is packed to the brim with layers of sakura ice cream, sakura mochi, azuki (sweet red bean paste), and cheesecake crumbs!
2. Sakura Mochi Leaf
A more “fancy” choice in the realm of sakura treats is the sakura mochi leaf. This refreshing dessert is made with a cherry blossom-flavored mochi (sweet rice cake) and wrapped in a sakura tree leaf.
The purpose of the leaf is to transfer a pleasant fragrance to the mochi, but eating it is optional. I tried this sakura mochi leaf in Gion and was quite impressed with the flavor of both the mochi and the leaf, leaving my mouth feeling cool and fresh as though I’d just had a mint.
3. Sakura Milk Pudding
One of my all-time favorite sakura treats is the sakura milk pudding offered at select 7-Eleven stores. This creamy cup of delight consists of a rich cherry blossom-flavored pudding base, fragrant cherry blossom syrup, and grated white chocolate toppings.
Available for less than 250 yen (1.65 USD), the sakura milk pudding is easily one of my favorite gourmet pudding flavors at Japanese convenience stores. Rich, fragrant, and sweet (but not too sweet!), it’s the perfect dessert to go with some post-dinner relaxation.
4. Sakura Latte
Speaking of post-dinner relaxation, the sakura latte by Mt. Rainier takes the top spot as far as cherry blossom beverages go, offering a taste that instantly puts you at ease and encourages a positive mindset.
It’s a taste I can only liken to roses (though not quite), the taste of cherry blossom is in a league of its own and very difficult to describe. Despite having the name “café latte,” there is barely any caffeine in this beverage, so I’d highly recommend it for winding down and relaxing.
5. Sakura Matcha Latte w/Sakura Jelly
Last but not least is yet another sakura beverage from Japan’s convenience stores, this time featuring matcha green tea ingredients in the mix!
Starbucks Japan has made this delicious sakura matcha latte with sakura jelly in honor of the cherry blossom season in Japan. Complete with sakura jelly that you can chew on, this drink certainly gives bubble tea shops a run for their money!
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