Things I love about spring in Japan: sakura flavors

One thing I've mentioned before here on City-Cost is that I love how the seasons here are marked by certain flavors. You can almost set your watch by them, and right now a lot of my local restaurants and cafes are coming out with yummy sakura-flavored goodies for a limited time.

Some of the sakura-themed items on offer at a local cafe

There are probably a few reasons why I enjoy seasonal treats so much. There's an element of anticipation and excitement because they're only on offer for such a short window of time—honestly, a lot like the blossoms are. They often bring about a little sense of nostalgia, and typically most seasonal treats are going to be at peak freshness because they incorporate tastes that are at their best during that period.

A good starting point for seasonal sakura flavored things is at convenience stores and large coffee shop chains (for example Starbucks, Tully's, Doutor) as they usually hop on board with the trends quite quickly.

Have you come across any tasty sakura goodies yet for the 2025 season?