Japan Pulse

All of Japan will soon be in the pink as the country celebrates the sacred sakura with picnics and drinking sessions underneath the cherry trees

Part of the hanami tradition includes eating cherry blossom-flavored snacks, including classics such as sakura mochi. Now the number of sakura-themed goods are blossoming as more and more major corporations jump on board with their own snacks and items. Here’s a taste of some of the items on shelves now.

Starbucks

This season Starbucks isn’t roasting just coffee beans but cherry petals with its sakura chiffon cake. You can also wash down the sugary treat with even more sugar — either strawberry sakura lattes or strawberry sakura frappuccinos.

出会いや別れの多い桜の季節、スターバックス ディスカバリーズ®のカップにメッセージを書いて気持ちを伝えてみませんか。画像の投稿でプレゼントも。詳しくはこちら。 https://t.co/75vcztvpK3 pic.twitter.com/GDyKbsrWB2

— スターバックス コーヒー (@Starbucks_J) February 16, 2016

If you want to experience spring all year round, you can also pick up Starbucks’ cherry blossom-themed mugs and tumblers. Get a move on; these sell out fast.

本日からSAKURA第二弾が新登場！元気でワクワクするような鮮やかな桜を描いたタンブラーやボトル、マグが揃いました。ぱっと気分が明るくなるようなデザインで、心も躍るコーヒータイムを。 https://t.co/jxxq4K5QDs pic.twitter.com/0PEZYm0sh5

— スターバックス コーヒー (@Starbucks_J) March 1, 2016

Kimura Drink

Now that you have your sakura mug, why not fill it up with Kimura Drink’s sakura cola? This fizzy concoction contains the extract of real sakura leaves for an authentic taste of spring.

なんと！日本の桜のエキス入り「さくらコーラ」を発売　桜の名前のあのコーラとは大違い　木村飲料 https://t.co/YAG8L7KFKL pic.twitter.com/2c8OPd6tm2

— プリント＆プロモーション印刷販促ニュース (@p_promcom) February 19, 2016

Worth noting that Kimura Drink has previously launched sodas with curry, tomato and wasabi flavors so they clearly know what they’re doing.

Suntory Chu-hi

If you want something with more of a kick, Suntory has got you covered with their sakura flavored chu-hi (a canned alcoholic drink consisting of shochu and fruit juice.)

春季限定で新発売の「－196℃」〈桜さくらんぼ〉〈春いちご〉。まだっていう人は、どっちが気になるか教えてください！桜さくらんぼの人は⇒RT！春いちごの人は⇒♥https://t.co/eo3erASFxe pic.twitter.com/uSyW8kPn6V

— SUNTORY（サントリー） (@suntory) February 19, 2016

Suntory’s chu-hi drink is made with real Sato Nishiki cherries and sakura liqueur. At 4 percent alcohol, it’s about half as strong as most shochu drinks, giving it a light, sweet and fragrant taste.

Sanktgallen beer

If sake or chu-hi is a little strong for your taste, you can always go with the more refined option of this sakura-mochi beer. This beer uses much less hops than your average beer and balances it out with flavors inspired by sakura-mochi — a traditional spring treat consisting of rice cake and bean paste wrapped in a cherry leaf.

まるで桜餅、桜が香るビール「サンクトガーレン さくら」限定発売 – 八重桜の花と葉を使用 https://t.co/ya6eiaRtds pic.twitter.com/TupY6mtlhA

— Fashion Press (@fashionpressnet) February 18, 2016

This delicious beer is produced by Sanktgallen, a microbrewery based in Kanagawa Prefecture, who insists on using only the famous Takato cherry blossoms from Nagano Prefecture in its sakura beer brewing process.

McDonald’s

In the past McDonald’s has released a sakura burger, but this year they are keeping it simple.

Available now are the sakura soda, sakura float and ume fries. While the soda is just what it sounds like, the fries are more interesting. Probably inspired by its successful chocolate fries, the side comes with plum powder, which should be put on the fries and liberally shaken.

今日は #うるう年 にしかない「29日」なんだかちょっと特別な気分ですね！マックでは春を先取りして、明日から特別メニュー「春セット」がスタートします:cherry_blossom: 一足先に春を味見してみてください。 pic.twitter.com/8x9bzFjxgu

— マクドナルド (@McDonaldsJapan) February 29, 2016

Kit Kats

It’s well-known that Nestle saves its wacky flavors for Japan. In the past the company has created a variety of Kit Kat flavors ranging from pumpkin to, yes, cherry blossom.

This year it is trying something new with pistachio and raspberry-flavored Kit Kats that come in a spring-themed box along with a sakura keychain. The company says, naturally, that the new flavor is the “perfect” hanami treat.

#キットカット ショコラトリーから、受験生応援パックが発売中！
"ショコラトリースペシャル ピスタチオ＆ラズベリー"が5枚入り。桜の木でできた、チャームも入っています♪　詳しくは→https://t.co/y2kUd2wgpb pic.twitter.com/a0GqdxyATh

— KIT KAT Japan (@KITKATJapan) January 23, 2016

Lindt Chocolate

For a more sophisticated sakura treat, Lindt is rolling out its sakura macarons. The treat is filled with a cherry puree ganache. Its special macarons are available until April 12 and the company’s Lindt Chocolate Cafes.

昨日お知らせしたサクラのドリンクと共に、サクラのデリース（マカロン）も登場！ そのピンクで愛らしい姿に、初日から好評を博しております。
詳しくは https://t.co/0Yg11ojMBR pic.twitter.com/mrvx5xntnR

— リンツ ショコラ カフェ (@LindtJapan) February 17, 2016

And if that wasn’t sweet enough, Lindt also has a white chocolate cherry ice drink. Its topped with white chocolate shavings and cherry syrup.

ちょっと春を語るにはほど遠い今朝の冷え込みですが、リンツショコラカフェには一足早く桜がやって来ました。
本日から毎年ご好評のホワイトチョコレートサクラアイスドリンクのご提供が始まります！
心待ちの春の香りを楽しみにお越しくださいね。 pic.twitter.com/5EwjcdytC1

— リンツ ショコラ カフェ (@LindtJapan) February 16, 2016

Calbee’s sakura butter chips

Sakura butter might sound like an odd flavor, but if you’ve ever had sakura shortbread cookies, then you’ve already experienced it. What does it taste like in the form of a chip? That’s for you to find out.

ポテトチップス、日本の春を感じる「桜バター味」が登場 #ポテトチップス #ポテチhttps://t.co/G5LxKpVAAD pic.twitter.com/EBBfxcqxyO

— モデルプレス (@modelpress) January 27, 2016

Calbee has never shied away from strange flavors as it has produced shrimp, pizza and okonomiyaki chips in the past.

Red Bull

In case you need some pep in your step at the hanami party, Red Bull has a Japan exclusive for you.

春にはばたく翼 #ピンクブル 登場https://t.co/c26oHq42nu pic.twitter.com/6UCegSoISj

— Red Bull Japan (@redbulljapan) January 5, 2016

Its “spring” drink, featuring a bright pink can, will keep you out of a food coma. Grab a couple of these in case your party heads off to an izakaya once the sun sets.

Baskin Robbins

Baskin Robbins is doing something really special this time around. After a 24-year hiatus it is finally bringing back its sakura salted ice cream.

The ice cream contains real sakura leaves and a hint of sea salt to contrast the light, sweet floral taste. It’s available till the end of May, so stop by your local Baskin Robbins and scoop it up.

But wait! There’s more …

You’re sure to be a hit at the hanami parties if you show up in Nike’s sakura shoes. The modern kicks have a traditional look with prints that somewhat resemble suibokuga (Japanese ink wash paintings).

CHERRY BLOSSOM COLLECTIONが本日販売開始。購入→https://t.co/b0lnRqulRy 商品詳細→https://t.co/DXWvafQs3q ※一部、後日発売の商品がありますのでご注意ください。 pic.twitter.com/2aIbclFTyu

— NikeStoreJapan (@NikeStoreJapan) February 18, 2016

The sakura line is available as skate shoes, sneakers and even high tops. So whether you’re on a short jog or taking it to the courts, you can do it while decked out in your sakura swag.

CHERRY BLOSSOM COLLECTIONが、ナイキオンラインストアで好評販売中。購入はこちら→https://t.co/4JhBOAncFt pic.twitter.com/uUljYred0i

— NikeStoreJapan (@NikeStoreJapan) February 29, 2016

Need to have that spring feeling wherever you go? You can bring sakura experience with Itoman’s cherry blossom toilet paper.

Itoman’s cherry blossom toilet paper.

This sakura toilet paper is covered with sakura print, making your trip to the bathroom almost as great as a hanami party.

Happy hanami!

Nestlé Japan shows off its sake-flavored Kit Kat at Craft Sake Week. | MONICA IRELAND

Nestlé Japan released a new Kit Kat flavor this week that has people buzzing. Containing an actual amount of alcohol — 0.8 percent — the new sake flavor is a perfect way to spike your mid-day snack. The packaging even warns that the treat it not for kids.

＼#キットカット 日本酒が、本日発売！／

日本酒の上品な味わいを、ホワイトチョコレートの優しい甘みで包み込みました。

9枚入りは全国お土産ショップ、3枚入りは、全国のコンビニで見つけてね♪ pic.twitter.com/8SVXNnxOM6

— KIT KAT Japan (@KITKATJapan) February 1, 2016

When I bit into the Kit Kat, it tasted very smooth. It has a very light and subtle taste from the sake, accompanied by the sweetness of white chocolate. It is well worth a try even if you’re not crazy about sake.

The new Kit Kat has expectedly made a splash online with many people posting their reactions on social media.

Sake is a rice wine made by fermented rice that has been polished to remove the bran. With many different types and flavors, it is one of Japan’s most famous products, and now joins the long list of flavored Kit Kats.

While most countries only get the regular chocolate, Japan has seen an array of colorful Kit Kats, including green tea, pineapple and strawberry cheesecake. We will have to wait and see what flavor Nestlé Japan comes up with next.