From shampoos infused with sakura fragrance to the anime “Cardcaptor Sakura” named after them, cherry blossoms are considered icons in Japan, sharing their legacy across the globe.
Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are flowers from cherry trees known for their delicate white and pink blooms. Should you wish to witness the blossoming of these cherry trees and take snapshots to bring home, or should you head over to Japan in spring?
Regarded as symbols of renewal and the fleeting nature of life, cherry blossoms have a rich history. In Japan, cherry trees have been worshipped since the Yayoi period from 300 BC to 250 AD as the home of the harvest god, though some historians believe they actually originated in China or the Himalayas.
While in Japan, are you just going to be satisfied with taking pictures of the cherry blossoms? Why not bring them home? Here are the best sakura-themed food, drinks, and souvenirs to buy in Japan.
Munch on Cherry Blossom-Themed Foods
Sakura Mochi
When it comes to the best sakura-inspired foods in Japan, the sakura mochi is on top. Traditional Japanese food served with green tea, this sakura-flavored mochi is made with red bean paste resting inside and oozing with sweetness, wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf. In spring, various grocery and convenience stores sell them.
Sakura Ramen
A bowl of ramen usually contains spices, so encountering a bowl of this ultimate Japanese favorite flavored with sakura, which is fragrant and therefore sweet, is odd. But sakura ramen bowls are a balance of salty, sweet, and umami. Don’t forget to top it with sliced pork, as usual.
Sakura-Inspired KitKat
KitKat is a British and American chocolate brand, but if you want to discover literally lots of KitKat flavors you won’t find elsewhere, head over to Japan. Actually, this trend is viral in social media travel groups.
Aside from the original chocolate flavor, there’s matcha, strawberry milk, orange chocolate, sake, Japanese plum, and sakura, of course, among others.
The sakura-flavored KitKat chocolate features hints of sweetness and the floral subtleness of cherry blossoms. If you want some booze, pick the sakura sake flavor.
Other must-try sakura-inspired foods in Japan are sakura candies, sakura senbei or rice crackers, and sakura onigiri. The list could go on.
ALSO READ: MOST BEAUTIFUL CHERRY BLOSSOM SPOTS IN TOKYO
Gulp Down Sakura-Themed Drinks
Starbucks’ Sakura Beverage Collection
Starbucks Japan celebrates the blossoming of sakura trees by offering sakura-themed beverages. Though available only for a limited edition, they usually sell milky sakura lattes, sakura frappuccinos, and even sakura dessert cakes.
“This year’s Sakura Sakusaku Frappuccino blended beverage uses a blend of strawberries and cream to get a creamy consistency that is refreshing and tastes pretty similar to the Strawberry Crème Frappuccino. However, I was surprised by the pink sakura jelly base that’s made with actual cherry blossom petals, which I thought were chunks of lychee when I first tasted them,” Lara Walsh of the popular online magazine Elite Daily reviewed. “The topping — whipped cream and pieces of crispy strawberry macaron — was tasty and a fun texture combination…”
The Mulan - Cherry Blossom Cocktail
This captivating drink is inspired by Mulan, a legendary Chinese warrior. The Mulan is a cherry blossom cocktail made with cherry blossom gin, fresh lemon juice, and usually a homemade strawberry puree. The taste? Amazing.
There are only a few places where you can taste the best cherry blossom cocktails, so be sure to catch a glass at ANA Intercontinental Tokyo or The House of Suntory.
Sakura Beer
Lastly, sakura beer. Japan may be a land and paradise for sake, but when it comes to beer, the sakura-flavored one is under the spotlight. This beverage is best enjoyed after dinners when drinking with your friends or relatives.
ALSO READ: BEST CHERRY BLOSSOM SPOTS IN HIROSHIMA
Bring Home Sakura Souvenirs
Hanami Dango
Believe it or not, there’s a social media emoji for these cute skewered glutinous rice balls that come in various colors. Your attention, please. Pink signifies the color of springtime cherry blossoms, while the white rice ball in the middle represents winter snow, and the green-colored portion is for the grass that grows during spring. It tastes so wonderful that you should not forget to bring it home so your loved ones can try it too.
Cherry Blossom-Themed Apparel
Sakura isn’t a legend not to be in clothing. You can find scarves, kimonos, and even socks with cherry blossom designs. Your loved ones back home will surely love them.
Sakura-Infused Skincare
Take advantage of what the most real sakura can offer. Treat yourself and your relatives at home with sakura-infused skincare and cosmetics, such as blossom-scented lotions, perfumes, and makeup palettes. They may not mimic Korean skincare, but that doesn’t mean they cannot delight your skin.
Other must-buy souvenirs are tea sets, ceramics, snacks, keepsakes, and home decorations.
ALSO READ: BEST CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVALS
Asking whether there are rules you should know when checking in or carrying these souvenirs inside your luggage. You can bring home almost all kinds of snacks from Japan to your country without worrying about being stopped at the airport. However, items like cash, duty-free goods, and foreign-made goods must generally be declared at the customs counter.
Visiting the best cherry blossom spots in Tokyo can be confusing and exhausting for first-time tourists. Don’t stress out! Join our Cherry Blossom Tour in Tokyo where your local guide brings you to the best places in Tokyo to see sakura blooming!
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