Cherry Blossom Sweets: Savor and Enjoy the Taste of Spring
If you are planning a trip to Japan in spring, you probably look forward to seeing cherry blossoms. But did you know you can also enjoy cherry blossom sweets? They begin to appear on store shelves around March, and they signal the arrival of the warm spring after the cold winter for many Japanese people. Why not try the seasonal sweets during your trip to Japan in spring?
As I’m sure many of you know, cherry blossoms begin to bloom from late March to early April, and they fall after just two weeks. So the period to enjoy them is very short. However, we have a culture of enjoying cherry blossoms for a longer period through sweets. Cherry blossom sweets are available in stores from around early March, before the flowers bloom. By salting or drying petals and leaves, their fragrance is drawn out and they can be preserved for a long time. This way, they become seasonal ingredients for treats that let us enjoy.
For me, speaking of spring treats, Sakura mochi (a traditional cherry blossom rice cake) comes first. It has been a traditional Japanese sweet since the Edo period, made of pink rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in salted cherry leaves, and has long been cherished. It is a luxurious Japanese sweet that harmonizes the saltiness of cherry leaves, the refined sweetness of red bean paste, the chewy texture of the rice cake, and the aroma of the cherry blossoms.
As a child, I didn’t know it was made with real cherry blossoms. I thought I was eating a pink bean paste sweet bun.
As an adult, I have grown to like the aroma and taste of cherry blossoms. Eating Sakura mochi makes me feel nostalgic. Can you imagine what cherry blossoms taste like? Unlike a fruity scent, it has a sweet, floral aroma that reminds me of the Madagascar vanilla ice cream I had in Belgium.
You can buy it at Japanese sweet shops, supermarkets, and convenience stores (which are everywhere in Japan and often offer seasonal sweets). There are two types of Sakura mochi: Kanto-style and Kansai-style. If you are curious, you might enjoy trying both.
For a more casual treat, you can keep an eye out for snacks and sweets at supermarkets, convenience stores, and MUJI (a Japanese brand). They are easy to take back to the hotel because they are individually wrapped. And snacks that are individually wrapped such as chocolate make great souvenirs because their longer shelf life means you can take them home easily. You can also find cherry blossom cakes and drinks at cafes. I brought some Lipton Sakura tea from Japan to Belgium, so I can enjoy the taste of Japan overseas.
Why not buy one and eat it while sightseeing? Then you could also take a break at the hotel with a spring treat at the end of the day. If you like these flavors, they are great souvenirs. Now as I write this column, I am missing these sweets a little. Cherry blossoms are not only for your eyes but also for your taste buds. Why not make the flavor one of your sweetest memories of Japan?
I am a mother of two who moved to Belgium in 2026 because of my husband’s job relocation. As a high school student, I was a member of the wind ensemble and marching band color guard, where I had the chance to perform in the U.S. and experience the universal power of music and dance. Inspired by this experience, I started learning jazz dance and contemporary pair dance in earnest. I also have a side as a dancer. I learned kimono dressing in 25years old. Wearing a kimono is my hobby. As I’m moving to Belgium, I’m also studying French. Through my experiences living in Japan and Belgium, I would like to share my perspective and experiences in a column.
