If you’re a fan of Japanese culture, dreaming of a trip to Japan, or looking to relive the magic of a past visit, a Japanese snack box is the perfect way to satisfy your cravings and transport you back.
If you’ve done much research on the best Japanese snack box, you probably scrolled through a few different brands like Sakuraco, TokyoTreat, and Bokksu.
Not all Japanese snack packs are created equal. So, here are my thoughts on choosing the right box.
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What are Japanese snack boxes?
Japanese snack boxes are curated monthly shipments featuring seasonal, popular, or artisan snacks ranging from sweet to savory. Some also include unique extras, like a ceramic dish that pairs with the snacks.
For example, Sakuraco offers 20 items, including authentic Japanese sweets, snacks, teas, and more from local makers.
These boxes are perfect for curious, travel-loving foodies who want to sample new flavors or rediscover old favorites. Plus, the surprise of unboxing is half the fun!
Most snack boxes operate on a subscription basis, but you can also purchase individual boxes at a higher price. Despite shipping from Japan, Sakuraco express shipping, so you don’t have to worry about delays or customs issues.
I also find these to be excellent gift boxes! Otherwise, they are ideal for personal enjoyment at home.
Breakdown of Different Japanese Snack Box Brands
Some of the main Japanese snack boxes on the market are Sakuraco, Bokksu, and TokyoTreat. The first two, Sakuraco and Bokksu, are the most similar, so they will be the main focus of this analysis.
Sakuraco boxes feature artisan snacks, teas, and even small items like ceramics (e.g., hand-painted teacups). The focus shifts monthly to highlight regional specialties and authentic flavors, making it perfect for those who love Japanese traditions and want a cultural experience along with their snacks.
I find Sakuraco’s vibe to be elegant and well-curated. It’s a particularly great choice for tea lovers and those wanting to connect to Japanese culture. They also include a snack guide in every box, helping you learn more about the highlighted region or city of Japan as well as the curated snacks in the box.
On the other hand, Bokksu sources quality snacks from all over Japan, not curating from a specific location each month. All boxes come with a cultural guide that explains the origins of the snacks.
TokyoTreat is more about modern snacks and Japanese candies. It’s more playful and fun compared to Sakuraco and Bokksu’s elegant approach. A lot of the TokyoTreat snacks are items you’d find on the shelves in Japan, but would have a harder time finding in other parts of the world. Imagine items like unique Japanese flavors of KitKat bars, unique Pocky snacks, and ramen.
Pricing: Sakuraco vs. Bokksu
Both brands have easy pricing with anything from an annual subscription to one month.
Sakuraco offers annual subscriptions for $32.50 a month, 6 months for $33.50 a month, and 3 months for $35.50 a month. You can also purchase one individual box for $37.50 plus shipping.
With Bokksu the prices are slightly higher with their individual box priced at $39.99 without shipping. The annual subscription, however, is close to the same as Sakuraco.
Overall, Sakuraco wins with slightly more affordable prices.
Snacks: Sakuraco vs. Bokksu
When deciding which is the best Japanese snack box, the snacks matter most, right? So, let’s take a closer look at what each brand includes in their monthly boxes.
Each month is different for both Sakuraco and Bokksu, but there are some things to compare either way.
During your first month with Bokksu, they will send a Season of Japan starter box. This is a mix of some of the country’s most popular treats from matcha cake to Soka Senbei to a packet of organic green tea.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to receive an initial box and not get to start on the freshly curated monthly box. So, for that reason, I already prefer Sakuraco because they do not send out boxes like this one, just curated monthly Japanese boxes. Always new, always fresh.
Beyond that, both offer around 20+ snacks, including a mix of sweet and savory. Sakuraco always provides two tea pouches compared to just one tea from Bokksu.
Both source their snacks from local makers across Japan, and are roughly equal in terms of quality of snacks.
Ceramics: Sakuraco vs. Bokksu
One of the best parts of selecting a subscription with Sakuraco is that you can expect a monthly ceramic dish or home goods included with each box.
For example, in past boxes, I have received a hand painted teacup and tea dish. Since the snacks will eventually disappear into our bellies, it’s nice to have a keepsake and beautiful Japanese item to have on display in the home.
Bokksu doesn’t currently offer any ceramics or home goods, just snacks.
Shopping for a travel couple this season? See my picks for the best gifts for travel lovers.
Culture: Sakuraco vs. Bokksu
One big reason people opt for a Japanese snack subscription is to get a piece of culture delivered to their door steps. Both provide cultural insight to Japanese snacking with each box. However, there are a few things to consider.
First and foremost, I love that Sakuraco includes beautifully designed postcard-size artwork with every box. As someone who always buys postcards when traveling, it’s a nice touch.
Now, looking at the booklet included for Sakuraco’s December 2024 box Holidays in Hokkaido, we get to learn about wintertime in the dreamy northernmost prefecture of Japan.
The well-written guide talks about ryokan retreats and how they capture the essence of Japanese hospitality and culture with old-world charm. Then, the booklet goes on to give descriptions of each snack, noting whether it’s vegetarian friendly or not, and if it has any allergens.
We also learn more about winter in Hokkaido as we flip through the 24-page booklet. I love getting to discover new things about various cities and prefectures of Japan as I make my way through my subscription.
The theme of the first Bokksu box is always Seasons of Japan. Inside, there is a 24-page booklet which contains snack descriptions, information on allergens, and whether it’s vegetarian friendly or not.
Since the Bokksu box includes food from all over Japan, I do like that they include a map showing you where each snack is from.
Then, it goes into stories from some of the stories of snack makers. Overall, it’s heavy on snack details, but doesn’t do much of a dive into cultural aspects of those snacks or other traditions in Japan.
Best Japanese Snack Box? Sakuraco Wins
Deciding between Sakuraco and Bokksu? While both offer premium Japanese snacks, Sakuraco takes the cake with its thoughtfully curated monthly subscriptions including 20+ snacks, a culture + snack booklet, and ceramic item.
Besides, it’s more affordable than Bokksu and you get a little more bang for your buck. And is it worth the price? Absolutely! If you purchase the annual subscription for $32.50 a box, you’ll spend just $1.63 per item in the box, not including the artwork or booklet.
So, if you’re curious about Japanese culture, recently returned from a trip abroad, or simply want to try unique snacks, I recommend Sakuraco as the best Japanese snack box.
