Gifted to us by SakuraCo
There are some places that never quite leave you, and Japan is one of those places for our family.
We visited during the Christmas season of December 2019 into January 2020, and not a year has gone by that we haven't found ourselves reminiscing about our time there or dreaming about the day we can return. We have several friends who are actually making their return trips right now, which has us feeling a little extra nostalgic!
So when SakuraCo gifted us their June 2026 Summer in Hokkaido box, we were absolutely delighted. What a lovely way to bring a little piece of Japan into our home!
If you've never experienced SakuraCo, their boxes are a wonderful way to explore Japanese culture through regional snacks, treats, tea, and thoughtfully selected items. And I think that's what makes this such a special gift: it's not simply a box of snacks. It's an experience, a little cultural adventure, and an invitation to discover something new together.
Turning a Box into an Experience
We decided to stretch our SakuraCo experience into two separate afternoons because, honestly, there was too much fun to fit into one sitting!
For our first adventure, we took everything out for a blind-box opening and turned it into a little picnic lunch. Everyone was excited to discover what was tucked inside, and it was so much fun trying new flavors and guessing what everything might taste like.
Two things quickly became household favorites: the Taiho Crackers and the Cheese Arare! We could not get enough of either. The Cheese Arare had that wonderful savory, cheesy flavor that makes you reach for just one more, while the Taiho Crackers were an unexpected hit with everyone.
We also tried the Melon Jelly and Daifuku, both of which had that perfectly gooey, delightful texture that makes Japanese sweets so fun to explore.
But perhaps my biggest surprise was the Wasabi Pumpkin Seeds. I'll admit, wasabi isn't usually something I gravitate toward. Yet there was something about the combination of the salty pumpkin seeds and the gentle heat of the wasabi that completely won me over. I was the one returning for seconds, thirds, and eventually finishing both bags! I certainly didn't see that coming.
An Afternoon Tea, Japanese Style
For our second SakuraCo afternoon, we slowed things down a little.
After taking the time to read through the included information brochure, we decided to set up an afternoon tea. We brought out our Japanese tea set, paired it with the Hokkaido Adzuki Tea, and used our beautiful new chrysanthemum dish.
The chrysanthemum dish was such a lovely addition. It paired perfectly with our tea set and made the whole experience feel a little more intentional, rather than simply opening another package of snacks.
We gathered a few of the remaining sweets and savories, particularly the Hokkaido Chocolate Cream Bread, Hokkaido Cheese Arare, Strawberry Cookie, Milk Soft Candy, Butter Cookie, Taiho Crackers, and Sapporo Castella Senbei. After we all settled in for an after-school treat, I pulled out a book of Tales from Japan that we'd checked out from our local library and enjoyed some stories with our tea.
I loved how naturally the box turned into an opportunity to learn and explore together. We weren't just sampling treats; we were talking about Japan, reading stories, discovering regional specialties, and sharing a little piece of a place that holds so many special memories for our family.
And really, isn't that one of the best things about food? It has a way of connecting us to places, people, and memories, even when we're thousands of miles away.
Would We Recommend SakuraCo?
Absolutely!
I think SakuraCo would make a particularly wonderful gift for:
Japan fanatics: Especially those who have traveled to Japan and are looking for a little taste of nostalgia between trips.
Snack lovers: Anyone who enjoys discovering unusual flavors, textures, and treats they wouldn't typically find at their local grocery store.
Cultural buffs: People who love learning about different regions, traditions, food, and everyday life around the world.
Families: A fun way to turn an ordinary afternoon into a cultural adventure with the kids.
The hard-to-shop-for person: Someone who appreciates experiences and thoughtful discoveries more than another ordinary gift.
What I appreciated most was the variety. Between the savory snacks, sweets, tea, and the beautiful chrysanthemum dish, there was something to discover at every turn. The included information made the experience even more meaningful, giving us a little context for what we were enjoying.
Our Summer in Hokkaido box was such a treat, and it genuinely brought back some wonderful memories of our time in Japan. While we're still dreaming of the day we can book those return flights, SakuraCo gave us a lovely excuse to bring a little Japan into our everyday lives.
If you have someone on your holiday shopping list who loves Japan, enjoys trying new foods, or simply appreciates a gift that feels like an experience, I would absolutely put SakuraCo on your list.
Sometimes the best gifts aren't things you put on a shelf. They're the little experiences that bring everyone around the table.
Thank you to SakuraCo for gifting us this box and giving our family such a fun reason to revisit a place we love. Although this box was gifted, all thoughts, favorites, and snack-related enthusiasm are entirely our own!
Explore SakuraCo: https://sakura.co/past-boxes/june-2026