I visited Japan in August, long after the final cherry blossom had bloomed for the year. Despite missing the season, I enjoyed the famous sakura in tea and desserts. The blossoms are such a part of the culture that there’s a special Japanese word (hanami) to describe the act of viewing sakura.
Every year, 2.9 million travelers visit Japan during the springtime with hopes of catching a glimpse of the pale pink petals that signify the beginning of spring, a time of renewal, and the fleeting nature of life.
Note: This is the first in a series of sponsored posts by WOWBOX, and this post may contain affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own and I will never recommend anything to you that’s not awesome!
Want to join the sakura celebrations? WOWBOX’s Sakura box brings artisan treats from across the 47 prefectures of Japan right to your front door! My box was opened for inspection, but all items arrived as promised!
WOWBOX Tabi Box delivery
WOWBOX sent me their sakura-themed Tabi Box, March’s special flavor. Tabi means “journey” or “travel,” and it lived up to its name. The contents of the box took my taste buds on a journey straight to Japan! I’m going to take you along for the ride as I open the box, and hopefully, you’ll decide to order one for yourself! (Keep reading for a WOWBOX promo code– just for readers of The Sweet Wanderlust!)
What’s inside the WOWBOX Sakura Box:
Ragueneau Inochi Apple Custard Cake in Sakura Flavor
– Aomori Prefecture –
When I opened the package containing the apple custard cake, I was shocked at just how fresh and fluffy it was. The texture of white bread and the color of sakura, the cake contains a custard that reminded me of Boston cream donut filling and a jelly center with sakura leaves! The Ragueneau brand has won many gold awards at the Japan National Fruit Fair over the years, and after tasting this treat, I give them my own gold rating!
Ragueneau Inochi Apple Custard Cake in Sakura Flavor
Marutto Hokkaido Strawberry Chocolate
– Hokkaido Prefecture –
Hokkaido prefecture is known for having some of the best milk in the world, so these freeze-dried strawberries covered in milk chocolate were the perfect combination of tart Hokkaido berries and smooth milk chocolate!
Marutto Hokkaido Strawberry Chocolate
Feve Cashew x Sakura
– Tokyo Prefecture –
The cherry blossom-dusted cashews with dried cranberries are all kinds of addictive. Seriously. I had to stop myself from eating the entire bag after I tried the first crispy cashew! Also, how great is the packaging?
Feve Cashew x Sakura
Kyo Neko-San Cookie
– Kyoto Prefecture –
Printed with a sakura pattern, these kitty-shaped cookies from Kyoto are almost too cute to eat! I’m saving mine for a special occasion!
Kyo Neko-San Cookie
Todaya Small Sakura Daifuku
– Nagano Prefecture –
WOWBOX’s website defines this treat as “A Japanese confection consisting of a small round mochi in cherry blossom flavor stuffed with sweet bean paste and finally wrapped in sakura leaf powder.” But I define them as little clouds of heaven. The literal translation (great luck) is how I felt when I found daifuku in this month’s box!
Todaya Small Sakura Daifuku
Shrimp Sakura Senbei
– Aichi Prefecture –
When this one first arrived, I thought it was shrimp crackers with sakura flavoring. I’ve got to admit I was pretty glad to be wrong. When I visited Shizuoka, I learned about the sakura shrimp, a tiny red crustacean with a big flavor! Caught during the springtime, the sakura shrimp are laid out to dry at the base of Mount Fuji. After coming to terms with the fact that this wasn’t a floral-fish fusion, I really enjoyed the savory sakura shrimp crackers!
Shrimp Sakura Senbei
Sakura Marshmallows
– Fukuoka Prefecture –
I’m saving these marshmallows to make a Japanese-American fusion treat– a sakura s’more! I’ll keep you posted when I make it!
Sakura Marshmallows
I love trying new things, but I always get intimidated when I visit my local Asian grocery– not knowing what to try. The WOWBOX Tabi Box gave me the chance to taste specially selected treats designed to taste great and support local Japanese artisans. If you’re itching to travel, take your tastebuds on a journey to Japan! Click here to subscribe to WOWBOX’s 1, 3, 6, or 12-month subscription plan and use WOWBOX promo code WANDERLUST10 until March 31, 2021, for 10% off your order!
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