Is Sakuraco’s Japanese subscription box good value for money? We find out with their latest offering

Subscription boxes have become a popular way for overseas fans of Japanese culture to experience everything the country has to offer between their visits.

A variety of different subscription boxes are now available, each with their own unique offering, ranging from weird and wonderful snacks, unique stationery and also boxes dedicated to exploring the heritage of Japan’s 47 prefectures.

With so many different choices for subscription boxes, it’s difficult to know which one to buy and whether the cost of the box is actually worth it, in terms of value for money.

Today we’ll be looking at one particular box, produced by Sakuraco, providing an overview of what you can expect inside on an average month and offering our thoughts on whether the box is good value.

As a disclaimer before we look through the box and its contents, whilst we were provided a sample of the items featured by the company behind the box free of charge, this was however in agreement for an unbiased/honest review.

Now that we’ve covered everything, let’s take a look at the latest monthly Japanese subscription box from Sakuraco!

Sakuraco is one of the most well known subscription boxes and has a dedicated focus on showcasing the best local products Japan has to offer.

Each monthly box is based around a specific prefecture or culturally significant event such as the New Year or the cherry blossom/sakura season.

The current Sakuraco June Box, titled “Taste of Kyushu,” provides a focused exploration of Japan’s southern main island.

This curated collection promises to transport subscribers to Kyushu, known for its rich history, significant role in trade and cultural exchange, and striking landscapes.

The “Taste of Kyushu” box aims to uncover the distinct culture, craftsmanship, and confectionery of each prefecture within Japan’s westernmost region.

Unlike general Japanese snack boxes, the emphasis here is on regional specialties, offering subscribers a chance to explore what makes Kyushu unique.

The contents of the Sakuraco June Box are designed to highlight various facets of Kyushu, from its agricultural produce to its traditional crafts.

Let’s take a closer look at all of the items that are included!

• Chiran Ryokucha

A green tea from Kagoshima Prefecture, Chiran Ryokucha is known for its distinct aroma and rich flavor, representing one of Japan’s prominent tea-producing regions in Kyushu.

• Nagasaki Honey Castella

A traditional Japanese sponge cake, Castella has roots in Nagasaki due to historical Portuguese trade.

• Kumamoto Watermelon Gummies

Super soft and subtly sweet, these gummies use real watermelon juice from Kumamoto, which is famous for its agricultural produce and is the largest watermelon-producing area in Japan.

• Black Sesame Taiko

“Taiko” often refers to drum-shaped confections, and this combines roasted black sesame seeds with almonds, before being coated in a sweet white honey glaze.

This particular product won the gold award at Japan’s 25th National Confectionary Expo and its inclusion is a treat for anyone who loves traditional style Japanese sweets.

• Kuzukiri

Traditional Japanese noodles made from kudzu starch, often served chilled with a sweet syrup. A rich black honey is included to accompany the noodles.

• Issa Senbei

Senbei are traditional rice crackers, and this particular variety has been coated with aonori (green laver) syrup, creating a uniquely savory taste.

• Wakasa Lacquer Chopsticks

A slight deviation from the overall Kyushu theme of the box, but nevertheless a lovely touch that allows you to keep part of the items included for daily use, these Wakasa lacquer chopsticks feature elements synonymous with a traditional lacquerware style that originates in Fukui Prefecture’s Obama City.

• Kyushu Soy Sauce Arare

A rice cracker with over 50 years of heritage, they are flavored with Kyushu’s distinct soy sauce, which can differ in sweetness and richness from other regions.

• Gyokuro Chocolate Wafer

Gyokuro is a high-grade green tea grown in Yame, Fukuoka. Made in collaboration with a local agricultural co-operative, these wafers have a rich flavor expected from green tea based confectioneries.

• Wasabi Pistachios

Originating in Kumamoto Prefecture, these wasabi pistachios are not for anyone who doesn’t like spice!

The heat of the wasabi blends perfectly with the smooth and savory flavor of the pistachios.

• Amaou Strawberry Crunch

Amaou strawberries are a premium variety from Fukuoka Prefecture, known for their large size, sweetness, and vibrant red color. 

This crunch snack highlights one of Kyushu’s most prized fruits.

• Kokuto Donuts

“Kokuto” refers to Okinawan brown sugar, a specialty of the Ryukyu Islands, which are geographically and culturally linked to Kyushu.

These donuts, produced in Kumamoto, offer a rich, molasses-like sweetness.

• Tsuru no Sato Marshmallow

These sweet marshmallows, manufactured in Saga Prefecture, have a sweet yellow bean paste inside.

With “Tsuru no Sato” translating to “Crane Village”, the marshmallow exterior and yellow bean paste are intended to look like the egg of a crane, which is a sacred animal in Japan.

This box serves as an excellent way to sample authentic regional flavors and discover local specialties without traveling to Kyushu, allowing you to stay connected with Japanese culture from your own home.

Priced at $37.50 USD for a one off subscription, the “Taste of Kyushu” Sakuraco box presents a thoughtful collection for anyone keen to explore Japan beyond its major cities.

The price can be reduced to as low as $32.50 USD if you opt for a 12 month subscription, which also includes a free Hasami Ware Teacup Pair worth $80 USD.

Whether you opt for a one off subscription or pick up the 12 month subscription, the Sakuraco box offers fantastic value for money when you consider the amount of care and attention that goes into curating the items.

Each Sakuraco box also contains a glossy 24 page culture guide that explains the heritage of the items included, with a particular focus on the local suppliers that have in many cases honed their craft over generations.

The selection of snacks, from traditional Castella to modern Amaou strawberry crunch, alongside the inclusion of Chiran Ryokucha and regional craft items like Wakasa lacquer chopsticks, means that not only do you get to try a range of items that you may not otherwise have heard of, but you also get functional items that you can continue to use and enjoy on a daily basis.

In our opinion, the Sakuraco subscription boxes would make a perfect gift, either to yourself or to a friend, family member or co-worker that has an interest in Japanese culture.

It would also appeal to food enthusiasts who are looking to try new and unique flavors that they would otherwise need to travel to Japan to experience.

The overall presentation of the box, with its carefully curated range of snacks and homeware, alongside the well produced accompanying booklet, shows that the team behind the box clearly care about giving the products inside the chance to shine, and that the ethos of sharing Japanese culture with a global audience is at the forefront of each monthly creation.

If you or your friends have more of a sweet tooth, you could always consider the TokyoTreat subscription box, which is the sister brand of Sakuraco.

Whilst the Sakuraco box does include some sweet snacks/candy, the TokyoTreat box has a more dedicated focus on the often weird and wacky sweets and unique savory snacks that come out of Japan, with some even including collaboration items released in team ups with popular anime or gaming franchises.

You can pick up both boxes directly from the official Sakuraco and TokyoTreat websites.

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