All TopicsNewsTravelAnimeKawaii CharactersKawaii FashionJapanese StationeryMember Spotlight
YumeTwins Kawaii Culture BlogThe Best Spring Kawaii Food You Need To Try!

The Best Spring Kawaii Food You Need To Try!

By Bianca Bache
March 09, 2023
A plate of sakura mochi, which is a snack the people enjoy while gazing at the cherry blossom petals falling.

Springtime in Japan means cherry blossom season, hanami, and kawaii food! Hanami, or flower viewing, refers to the traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of the cherry blossoms or sakura in Japan during the springtime.

Hanami is a beloved cultural practice in Japan. Many people will gather with friends and family for picnics under the cherry trees, enjoying kawaii food, drinks, and good company while surrounded by the stunning blooms. 

The cherry blossoms are seen as a symbol of the fleeting nature of life and the beauty that can be found in it. Hanami is a time to appreciate the world’s natural beauty and celebrates spring’s arrival. There’s no better way to pay tribute to the beautiful blooms than with kawaii foods! 

Strawberry mochi around pink sakura
Springtime offers an array of delectably kawaii sweet treats! Image via Shutterstock

These foods are inspired by the sakura cherry blossoms and other blossoming spring flowers. During this time, various delicious and colorful foods are released, making them perfect for a picnic under the cherry blossoms!

Sakura mochi

One of the most iconic kawaii foods this season is sakura mochi. Sakura mochi is a cute food most recognizable from Japanese manga and anime.

But this sweet treat is a traditional Japanese sweet made with pink-colored rice cake. It is filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in a cherry blossom leaf. It’s delicious and visually stunning with its pink color and delicate floral pattern!

Want to explore everything kawaii and sakura? Then check out YumeTwins! YumeTwins sends kawaii character goods from Japanese plushies and figurines to accessories and home goods straight from Japan right to your door!

Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a popular Japanese snack that’s often eaten during the spring season. It’s a fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste or custard. During springtime, at specialty locations like festivals, you can find cherry blossom-flavored taiyaki.

These limited-edition taste treats are a unique twist on the classic treat! The delicate and floral flavor of the cherry blossom gives the Taiyaki a light and refreshing taste that perfectly complements the spring season. 

Four people having a picnic around sakura trees and kawaii food
Hanami is about bringing friends, family, and coworkers together to enjoy the warm weather and blossoming flowers. Image via Shutterstock

In addition to the traditional sweet bean paste filling, some shops offer sakura-flavored cream or even sakura-flavored ice cream as a filling option. The pink-tinted batter used to make the Taiyaki also adds to the overall aesthetic appeal, making it a popular kawaii food among Instagrammers and foodies! 

Kawaii food: hanami bento!

Kawaii treats under the cherry blossom trees are more than just reserved as sweet treats. You can also get limited edition Japanese food hanami bentos that are both a filling lunch and aesthetically pleasing.

During a picnic under the cherry blossom trees, many eat special bento boxes filled with seasonal foods, such as sakura-shaped rice balls, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), and various vegetable dishes often cut into flower shapes. 

A Hanami bento typically includes a mix of savory and sweet dishes, such as sushi rolls, fried chicken, tamagoyaki (sweet omelet), and onigiri (rice balls) with various fillings. These dishes are delicious and visually stunning, often featuring cute shapes and bright colors!

But it’s not just about the food; the bento box is also essential to the hanami experience. Many bento boxes are decorated with cherry blossom designs, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Young boy eating a japanese rice ball
People of all ages go out during this time and enjoy sakura themes snacks, both sweet and savory. Image via Shutterstock

For those who want to take their hanami bento to the next level, there are even bento accessories like cute animal-shaped picks and dividers that can be used to create a genuinely kawaii lunch box!

Hishi Mochi 

This traditional Japanese dessert is made from sweet rice flour, sugar, and agar jelly and is a sight to behold. The dessert is cut into diamond shapes and layered with different colored jellies, creating a stunning geometric pattern that will catch your eye. 

But hishi mochi is more than just a pretty snack- it has a satisfyingly chewy texture and a refreshing taste that will leave you craving more! This limited seasonal kawaii snack is definitely worth grabbing if you see it in a Japanese supermarket or convenience store. 

Sakaura kawaii food rice ball surrounded by other cherry blossom items
Many people opt for homemade bento boxes to create the ultimate kawaii food to enjoy during the hanami season. Image via Shutterstock

Sanshoku dango, the kawaii food!

One of the most popular kawaii spring foods in Japan is sanshoku dango. This sweet and colorful dessert is perfect for celebrating the season. This cute treat consists of three mochi balls in different colors – pink, white, and green – skewered together on a stick.

The sanshoku dango colors represent different aspects of spring: pink for the cherry blossoms, white for the snow that still lingers, and green for the new growth beginning to emerge.

But sanshoku dango is more than just a symbol of spring – it’s also absolutely delicious! The mochi balls are chewy, and the sweet soy sauce glaze adds sweetness. If you want a fun and festive kawaii dessert to enjoy this spring!

A pile of three coloured Japanese dango around green tea and cherry blossom branches
You can find sanshoku dango at local supermarkets and convenience stores during spring. Image via Shutterstock

Sakura Ice cream 

Sakura ice cream is a popular Japanese treat that’s perfect for springtime! As the weather warms up, so does the need for cold and frozen sweet treats. Made with delicate sakura petals, it has a light and fragrant flavor infused with a base of milk, cream, and sugar.

Some recipes also include bits of sweetened sakura petals, cherry blossom jam, and tasty mochi, adding a chewy and fruity texture! Not only is Sakura ice cream delicious. But it’s also a visual delight with its pink color and real sakura petals used as toppings. 

Springtime in Japan is a time for cherry blossom viewing and enjoying kawaii foods. These treats are visually stunning but also delicious and perfect for picnics under the cherry trees.

From sakura mochi to hanami bento. This season’s variety of kawaii food offers a unique twist on traditional Japanese treats. Making them the perfect spring snacks for celebrating the arrival of cherry blossoms and warmer weather! 

What kawaii food would you like to eat during the hanami season? Let us know in the comments!

Enjoy Popular Japanese Kawaii Merchandise Every Month!

Enjoy Popular Japanese Kawaii Merchandise Every Month!

Starting from $32.50 USD

Get YumeTwins

Author avatar
Bianca Bache

Tokyo based writer that's enthusiastic about all things kawaii and cute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

Tokyo Character Street in Tokyo Station. This trore features Pokemon plushies.

Find Cute Merch at Tokyo Station Character Street!

Tokyo Character Street should be on all pop culture lovers’ bucket lists. Located in one of Tokyo’s busiest transportation hubs, it has everything for Pokémon, Chiikawa, Mofusand, Tomica fans, and more.

November 29, 2024
A cute kawaii New Year's white porcelain snake.

Cute Kawaii Year: 2025 Edition!

The new year is approaching, so you must buy lucky charms and cute things for a cute kawaii New Year! Japan has different good luck charms and various activities to start the year with a bang. Many inspiring anime characters were also born in January. So, let’s check out everything you need to know about...

November 29, 2024
A woman shopping for dreamy kawaii Christmas decor.

Dreamy Kawaii Christmas: Your Holiday Guide! 

How can you make this holiday the cutest for you and your loved ones? We’ve got you covered – read on for a guide to your dreamy kawaii Christmas!

November 08, 2024
A beautiful, pink, yellow and purple illumination in Hakata City, Fukuoka.

Illuminations and More Christmas Traditions in Japan!

Christmas in Japan is a special time, full of excitement, joy, and good food. Let’s look at illuminations and other events you can enjoy this year!

October 31, 2024
Two cute Christmas cakes from Japan. One of them has a Santa decal on top.

Cute Christmas Pastries in Japan!

While you might see a lot of familiar holiday treats, there are other cute Christmas pastries in Japan that you might have never tried before!

October 29, 2024
Someone holding a white Tamagotchi in their hands.

Tamagotchi: The Premier Virtual Pet!

Whether you remember feeding your Tamagotchi at the school lunch table or have never even held one, this article is for you!

October 22, 2024
YumeTwins logo

Be a YumeTwins Insider!

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive kawaii news!


Facebook
Instagram

Accepted Payments
Visa payment availableMastercard payment availableAmerican Express payment availableDiscover payment availablePayPal payment available

YumeTwins Logo

Be a YumeTwins Insider!

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive kawaii news!

Facebook
Instagram
Ichigo Logo
Copyright © 2024 YumeTwins™. All Rights Reserved.
Accepted Payments
Visa payment availableMastercard payment availableAmerican Express payment availableDiscover payment availablePayPal payment available