Sakuraco - Getting a piece of Japan in a box full of surprises

Having the opportunity to visit Japan is a spiritual blessing, enriching the soul as you take in the immersive culture and rich history of the country, all unravelling before your eyes. This explains why Japan easily became a popular destination for us Filipinos. It's just so aspirational. So cathartic to just even be there.

Many of the deepest reflections and realizations I had in life happened in one of my travels in Japan. I can remember walking in the Peace Memorial of Hiroshima, and there was this sudden outpour of emotions within me that made me question life and humanity, but at the same time embrace them. There was also this time when I was walking in a quieter part of Kawagoe with my mom, I got curious as to what kind of life exists there, particularly imagining what could have been the day to day life and struggles of a person living there. It made me appreciate that time having what I have, and being what I am. It was just simply soul-enriching. This is why there is always a deep clamor within me to visit back again.

This may also explain why I often attempt to recreate pieces of those travel memories whenever I get the chance to. Eating in a Japanese restaurant. Re-watching my favorite Hayao Miyazaki anime movies. Or bawling over 'Your Name', which by the way is a fantastic movie.

So, imagine my surprise and excitement when I learned that there is another way to do this. Sakuraco (check their website here) offers a subscription that sends a box full of surprises each month, straight from Japan to my doorstep. No way, right? But, it's true, and apparently something like this has been going on for almost a decade already, going way back 2015, which is why I love to talk about it in this article.

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By the way, if  you are planning to visit Japan anytime soon, I have written a dedicated guide to help you assess how much to budget via this article in my Travel Blog, How Much To Spend/Budget for Japan Trip (in Philippine Peso). 

Remember how I mentioned Japan being so soul-enriching? Well, I get to see and feel more of that with these monthly packages sent by Sakuraco. Each snack box is curated with a theme and intention which makes them unique every time. 

For this month, they wanted to celebrate Mt. Fuji which means they curated the contents that are reminiscent of Mt. Fuji, and the prefecture surrounding it. 

Later on we'll be exploring the contents of this particular box, but to preempt a little bit. It contains Yamanashi Peach Jelly, Mt. Fuji Warabimochi, Yamanashi Corn Senbei, and Mt. Fuji Ryokucha. All of which have deep association and significance to Mt. Fuji. 

Sakuraco offers a refined twist: artisanal snacks, regional teas, and even collectible Japanese tableware — it feels like receiving a gift from Japan itself.

The moment I got hold of the package, my heart fluttered. Right off the bat, merely seeing the box brings joy to me. The small details, the stickers and everything just tell me how much love was poured into it.

But it just starts there. Opening the box unravels more of its intentions. There are snippets all around. Words of gratitude and thoughtful phrases. All of these are slowly yet playfully revealed to me as I start unboxing it.

Thank you for helping preserve traditional Japanese snack-making and supporting local artisans

This right here hits differently. Knowing that some towns in Japan are experiencing economic challenges, I feel how this message invokes a sense of hope. It likewise allows me to feel connected knowing that this doubles as a way to support their communities, be it small and indirect. 



The snacks you find inside the box are not randomly selected. Each has a story of its own, and these are detailed in the snack guide that comes with it. You see that pamphlet that has "Discovering Mt. Fuji" on it? That is a 23-page guide that details why these snacks were chosen, including the story behind it. For all of them. It also shares more about Mt. Fuji, the festivals they have, and some places to visit around it, as if taking you there with how beautiful the pictures are in that guide.

For me, that was cherry on top. Being able to read about why these things are culturally significant to the theme, or to what it celebrates, is just so refreshing.

Mt. Fuji Tenugui - Kawaguchi Kikaku (Yamanashi)

As promised, there was a gift that came along with it, and it was this cloth that has Mt. Fuji prints on it. I'm assuming it is a reusable sandwich wrapper. It's the cutest! I am planning to actually frame it, rather than use it because of how adorable the prints are. In the snack guide, it indeed says that it can be used as a towel, wrapping cloth or decorative accent. So, I'm not being crazy.

Anyway, I'd like to say 'that's all' as an expression to wrap up this article, but I feel like that is something inappropriate to say in this context. To me, there was more than what meets the eye with the box. It contains stories, meaning and most of all a soul, and so there was nothing 'that's all' about it. 

Thank you for reading this article.

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If you wish to partake in this monthly rekindling of your love for Japan, or of your fond memories from your travel there, get your Sakuraco snack box right here: Subscribe for my own Sakuraco box.