The tastiest, most beautiful sakura cakes, mochi, cocktails and pastries in Tokyo right now
With sakura season officially here, we've rounded up some of the best seasonal cherry blossom treats to indulge in while you enjoy the pink blooms. These pastel pink cherry blossom-flavoured desserts and drinks also make for perfect Instagram fodder.
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An annual classic, the elegant sakura mochi from wagashi specialist Toraya is always a winner. The traditional Japanese sweet features red bean paste wrapped with a thin layer of pink mochi and then covered with a salted sakura leaf. Check the official website for more details. ¥476 each
Ginza Cozy Corner’s lineup of cherry blossom cakes is a classic one. The matcha and sakura slice is beautifully layered, featuring matcha cream, matcha ganache, sakura sponge, matcha sponge and a slather of yokan red bean paste. You can pick it up at Ginza Cozy Corner stores. ¥496
Muji may be popular for its minimalist homewares, but it’s also got a great food selection, too. This spring, Muji has released a special sakura mochi ice sorbet featuring salted sakura leaves and gyuhi rice grains, which are often used in the production of mochi. This all blends together to offer a pleasant sakura scent that’s not too overpowering. Ice sorbets are available at select Muji locations across Japan in the freezer section. ¥320 each
Hokkaido’s Royce is world-renowned for its melt-in-your-mouth nama (raw) chocolate. This season, the popular treat is getting a spring twist with a seasonal sakura fromage flavour. The pink nama chocolates are made with white chocolate and accented with cream cheese, strawberry liqueur and sakura. The chocolates can be purchased online. ¥864 for a box of 20
Instead of the usual chestnut, this pink mont blanc from Antenor is made with sakura and bean paste, strawberry confiture, fresh cream and salted cherry blossoms. Pick one up at Antenor's dessert counter in Seibu Ikebukuro's depachika. ¥616
Mandarin Oriental’s signature Kumo cloud-shaped dessert get a spring update, naturally. It’s now a refreshing combo of cherry blossom mousse, pistachio cream and a tangy sour cherry confit. Enjoy this special dessert at the hotel or grab one to go from The Mandarin Oriental Gourmet Shop. ¥2,200 (¥2,160 takeaway)
These cherry blossom-themed Lindor treats are made with a white chocolate shell that’s enhanced with small pink and red speckles of strawberry powder. Inside, the chocolate ball is filled with a pastel pink cream that tastes like sweet cherries. As soon as you take a bite, it feels like spring is just around the corner. Nab these online or at Lindt boutiques across Japan. ¥1,100 for 10 pieces
This sakura kuzumochi pudding is a seasonal twist on Funabashiya’s traditional Japanese dessert. The sweet treat features classic kuzumochi topped with a cherry jelly and a delicate sakura flower. You can purchase this dessert at Funabashiya stores. ¥470
This gorgeous box of sakura cookies is the perfect springtime gift. Yoku Moku's signature langue de chat biscuits and the chocolate filling are all flavoured with cherry blossoms. Pick it up at Yoko Moku depachika counters or online. 24-piece box ¥2,376
Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s award-winning pâtissiers are offering a range of cherry blossom desserts including two types of cakes at Fiorentina Pastry Boutique. The light and fluffy chiffon cake is filled with sakura-flavoured fresh cream and decorated with sakura petals while the shortcake features sakura-flavoured cream, strawberries and crème brûlée. Chiffon cake ¥1,200, shortcake ¥2,200
This seasonal mille-feuille features airy, flaky puff pastry filled with sakura and cherry diplomat crème. The dessert is then topped with sakura leaf as well as vanilla-infused crème diplomat and meringue. You an order it at the hotel or online. ¥7,000
Sakura ramen? Yup, you read that right. Mitsuyado Seimen is cooking up a unique tsukemen (dipping ramen) with noodles topped with tororo (grated mountain yam), mentaiko and preserved salted cherry blossoms. A hot soup is served on the side as a dip for the noodles. ¥1,180
This Sydney outpost in Tokyo, known for its hearty brunch menu, is serving two sakura-themed drinks until April 9. There’s a non-alcoholic cherry blossom soda (¥900), but the cherry blossom gin drink (¥1,200) is lip-smackingly good and it’s perfect for brunch. Both feature the house syrup made with cherry, plum and thyme while the latter has shots of The Botanist gin and Toyo Bijin sake.
Enjoy hanami along the Meguro River with a seasonal cocktail from & Spirits. The hanami gin and tonic features a house-made ice cube filled with cherry blossom petals. As it melts you'll get a taste of that lovely sakura flavour. ¥1,430 (also available for takeaway)
Sarutahiko Coffee’s cherry blossom drinks are made with the café’s signature sakura custard sauce. Both the latte and milk are topped with fragrant spices including cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and tonka beans. Non-coffee drinkers can order their drink sans-espresso. Latte ¥700 (¥686 takeaway), custard milk ¥650 (¥638 takeaway)
The Oak Door Bar at Grand Hyatt Tokyo is shaking up three new cocktails inspired by Japan’s three great sakura trees in Fukushima, Gifu and Yamanashi prefectures. They each highlight a different fragrance and taste of cherry blossoms. ¥1,760 each
Strawberries and sakura are a classic combo. This strawberry and cherry blossom milk-based smoothie from Ichibiko is topped with whipped cream, sakura syrup, cherry blossom chocolate and three chewy mochi dumplings. ¥858 (¥842 takeaway)
This concoction by Pronto is made from a combination of sweet sakura-flavoured milk and rich matcha topped with whipped cream and crushed cherry blossom candy. The candy adds a nice texture to the sweet drink; it also looks quite cute for photos against the backdrop of cherry blossoms. ¥638
Check out these parks and gardens for the most brilliant cherry blossoms in Tokyo, including Meguro, Yoyogi and Shinjuku
This cherry blossom season, go beyond Tokyo for these incredible sakura destinations across Japan, from Fukuoka to Sapporo
Enjoy the beautiful spring weather at these sakura-themed events, tours and food promotions in the city
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