Sakura season is a very popular time in Japan. Brands start coming out with sakura themed merchandise, sakura desserts, sakura drinks, snacks, and other food even before the first cherry blossom trees start to bloom. Many stores even decorate their shelves with faux cherry blossom branches and use the pretty sakura flowers and pink colors in their advertisements and signage. It certainly is a nice way to transition into spring. March is the perfect time to catch a glimpse of the sakura craze, as it is typically the time of year when the sakura flowers start blooming.
This sakura season, the Japanese shops and cafes, sure have outdone themselves. There are so many gorgeous and delicious sakura desserts to try. Unfortunately most will disappear from the menus by mid April. While they are still around though, we highly recommend giving these desserts a try!
Mister Donut is one of the biggest donut chains in Japan and they are known for their fun seasonal menu and variety in donut flavors and designs. They often have character donuts like Pikachu, and collaborations with other animes like Cocotama and DragonBall! This month, they came out with a line of sakura flavored donuts just in time for cherry blossom season!
For the month of March and into early April, Mister Donut is offering 6 different sakura themed donuts including:
Sakura Petal Donut – Sakura Flavor: 129 yen
Sakura Petal Donut – Kinako Flavor: 129 yen
Sakura Petal Donut – Azuki: 140 yen
Sakura-Fashioned: 129 yen
Sakura-Chocolate Fashioned: 140
Sakura-Fashioned Honey: 140
These limited edition sakura donuts are a must try this spring! The sakura shaped donuts are inspired by the traditional sakura mochi dessert wrapped in a pickled sakura leaf and filled with red bean paste. The dough was made with a special mixture to give it a more chewy and springy texture similar to the traditional mochi dessert. The Sakura-Fashioned donuts are made with the classic and ever popular old fashioned dough and a mixture of sakura flavored powder is kneaded into the dough.
Every year, Starbucks Japan launches a line of sakura themed drinks, desserts, and merchandise. This year they brought back the popular sakura chiffon cake as well as a couple other fun desserts like sakura donuts, sakura roll pie, and sakura milk pudding.
The Sakura Chiffon Cake was our favorite out of the Starbucks desserts. It was moist, soft and had a nice hint of floral sakura. This is a great dessert to eat with a nice cup of tea or one of Starbucks’ limited edition sakura drinks!
The popular American cinnamon bun cafe released sakura minibon, a small cinnamon bun coated in sweet cream cheese sakura icing and a sakura crumble on top. This limited edition sakura minibon will be available for the month of March and end mid April on the 18th.
This sakura treat is definitely on our list of must tries this spring! It would be a perfect dessert for a spring hanami picnic!
Cafes and donut shops aren’t the only places getting on board with the sakura themed desserts. Many can be found at convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores. This one in particular is the Sakura Mont Blanc from the Daimaru Department Store which features a delicate cherry blossom cream on the outside with strawberry jam and cream in the middle. Mont Blanc is a very popular type of dessert in Japan and this sakura edition is a must try!
Sakura mochi is a common seasonal dessert found at sweet shops, and even convenience stores and supermarkets. It typically comes wrapped in an actual sakura leaf and with sweet red bean paste in the middle. The leaf is a bit bitter so it wouldn't be for everyone but is a nice traditional Japanese dessert to try during sakura season!
There are so many sakura desserts and snacks right now with sakura season upon us. Which one of these desserts are you dying to try? Let us know in the comments!
Are you looking to try some sakura snacks? Check out popular sakura chocolates and treats on JapanHaul.com!
Keep up with all the fun news coming out from Japan by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Looking for an unforgettable dining experience with a view? Look no further than Shibuya Sky and Tokyo’s top rooftop restaurants! With futuristic architecture, neon lights, and sky-high skyscrapers, the city’s skyline is breathtaking.
What makes this drink unique, and why does it have a strong following across generations and continents? Let’s dive into the bubbly and tangy world of Calpis and its sparkling sibling, Calpis Soda!
If you’re curious about unique sodas, Japanese sodas offer a refreshing taste experience, unlike anything you’ve tried before! Some hit that sweet spot in the most unexpected ways, making every sip a fun surprise. Iyoshi Cola and other gourmet sodas level up your cola game with their smooth, delicious flavors. In Japan, sodas are not...
One of the most unique experiences to try in Japan is visiting pop-up cafes themed around your favorite anime, character, or movie. These temporary cafes offer exclusive menus, themed decor, and limited-edition merchandise, creating an unforgettable experience. This article highlights four must-visit pop-up cafes that will make your visit to Japan unforgettable. What are pop-up...
Coca Cola Clear is one of the most striking highlights of Japan’s trend of transparent drinks. But it’s just one of the many one-of-a-kind flavors this iconic soda brand has introduced. Today, let’s dive into Japanese Coca-Cola and explore some rare flavors that can only be found here and in certain parts of the world!...
The world loves Pringles, especially Japan! Besides the classic seasonings everyone knows and loves, this country has created flavors that are difficult to find anywhere else.