5 Cherry Blossom-Themed Foods to try during Spring in Japan
- Published on : 18/02/2026
- by : Joshua
- Youtube
Sakuramochi
@PickPik
Japan loves seasonality, fully embracing the aesthetics and natural bounties offered up during different parts of the year. Of course, spring in Japan is most often associated with cherry blossoms, and during the sakura blooming period, unique delicacies and treats can be found throughout the country.
This comes in many forms, be it food or drink often consumed during sakura season, treats that are pink-colored with subtle strawberry flavorings, or delicacies that are created with actual sakura flavorings. Here are five must-try foods and drinks that are available and associated with the sakura season in Japan!
1. Amazake
Amazake is a traditional Japanese sweet drink made from fermented rice, known for its creamy texture and gentle, naturally derived sweetness. There are two main types: one made from rice and koji that contains little to no alcohol, and another made from sake lees that may contain a small amount of alcohol. Often served warm in winter, it has a comforting, slightly grainy consistency and a flavor reminiscent of rice pudding. It's particularly popular at shrines and temples and at springtime festivals in Japan.
The Amazake Yokocho Sakura Festival, held every March in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, combines springtime cherry blossoms and amazake. At the intersection of Midori Michi and Amazake Yokocho, the Yoshino and Oshima cherry tree avenues cross. Under the pink branches, stalls offer different kinds of amazake, a sweet sake with little or no alcohol. At each event, 2,500 glasses of sake are offered to visitors, giving those new to the drink the chance to try it!
Amazake, sweet non-alcoholic sake
Yoko Hase
Amazake yokocho festival, nihonbashi, Tokyo
nihonbashi-tokyo.co.jp
2. Sakura Mochi
Sakura mochi is a traditional pastry consisting of a shell of sticky rice dough ("mochigome") flavored with sakura petals. The dough is colored pale pink to resemble the color of the flowers. The mochi is then filled with red bean paste ("anko") and wrapped in a salted cherry leaf. This leaf is edible, but whether or not to eat it is a matter of personal choice: some people prefer to just moisten their lips with the salt, which brings out the sweet taste of the mochi.
In southern Japan, a slightly different confectionary is their version of sakura mochi. Sakura-dômyôji is made from sticky rice dough that is not pounded with a mallet but kneaded so that the rice grains remain whole. It is also dyed pale pink, filled with anko, and wrapped in a salted cherry leaf. In Kyoto, Osaka, and on the island of Kyushu, this pastry is sold under the name "sakura mochi."
Sakura-mochi Doumyō-ji style
3. Sakura Pastries and Snacks
Many western-style baked goods and pastries hop onto the seasonal flavors and themes of cherry blossom season as well! Bakeries will offer things such as sakura macarons and sakura langue du chat. Some of our favorite establishments for these types of sweets include the legendary Boul'Miche and Tokyo Fugetsudo of the upscale Ginza district of Tokyo.
For more everyday treats, major chains around the country also have sakura-themed sweets. Mister Donut is known for its pink frosting, strawberry-flavored doughnuts. And of course, Japan's beloved convenience stores partake in the festivities. Stop in to basically any Family Mart, 7/11, or Lawson's and you'll be sure to see cheap yet delicious sakura-themed sweets.
Sakura doughnuts at Mister Donut
@suri on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.
4. Hanami Dango
Hanami (花見) is the springtime tradition of spending time beneath the sakura, often while having a picnic. A staple treat during this time is hanami dango, a skewer of steamed or boiled rice flour balls. They have a chewy texture with a subtle sweetness. On each skewer, there is traditionally a pink, white, and green dango that symbolize the changing seasons, with white symbolizing winter, green representing summer, and the pink, of course, representing the sakura of springtime.
Hanami dango are usually sold at street stalls during cherry blossom festivals in Japan, alongside other skewers, meats, or grilled corn. Indulge in the savory goodies and then treat yourself to some hanami dango for dessert! Some quality green tea is a great pairing with these steamed rice balls, and enjoying both under the sakura is an authentic experience many ought to try!
Hanami dango
vivrelejapon.com
5. Seasonal Sakura Drinks
Every spring in Japan, many cafes (especially in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto) introduce seasonal sakura-flavored drinks to celebrate the cherry blossom season. These often include sakura lattes and sakura affogatos topped with pink sakura ice cream. You'll also find sakura matcha drinks that blend the floral notes of cherry blossoms with rich, earthy green tea, as well as sakura cold brews and sakura teas served iced or hot. The drinks are typically lightly sweet and delicately floral, meant to echo the gentle scent of the blossoms themselves.
Sakura-themed cups from Starbucks in Japan
@majiscup paper cup on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
In addition to classic café chains, many specialty and independent coffee shops offer creative sakura beverages with seasonal twists. Some might add edible sakura petals or colored cream art on top, while others pair sakura drinks with limited-edition sakura pastries like mochi, cookies, or chiffon cakes. These seasonal offerings not only celebrate the visual beauty of hanami but also invite people to enjoy the flavor of spring, making a simple coffee or tea feel like a festive experience.
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