Japan’s long-awaited spring has finally arrived, and we know many people around the world are eager to visit and witness the country’s iconic cherry blossoms, also known as sakura (桜), firsthand. For locals, the best way to enjoy the sakura season is by gathering for a picnic under the blooming trees. This beloved tradition is called ohanami (お花見) or hanami. Friends, family, and colleagues come together to share food, laughter, and the beauty of nature beneath a canopy of delicate pink petals.
To celebrate the season, our JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s April 2025 Omiyage Snack Box is filled with sakura-themed and honey-flavored treats—perfect for an unforgettable hanami party. And what better way to capture the spirit of spring than by featuring Sakurado (さくら製菓株式会社), a snack maker from Niigata Prefecture whose very name evokes the beauty of cherry blossoms? We spoke with Ms. Terao (寺尾), the company’s representative, to learn more about their craft and the inspiration behind their springtime creations.
Introduction to Sakurado
Thank you for taking the time to speak to us, Terao-san! You must be busy with the upcoming spring season. Tell us more about your company and main brands.
Our company Sakura Confectionery, also known as Sakurado, was established on 28 April 1950, marking our 75th year in business.
Shortly after World War II, the Terao family started a rice cracker business as part of the reconstruction efforts. We named our business “Sakura-do” (Hall of Cherry Blossoms) with the hope that it would become a symbol of the cherry blossoms that bloom in the hearts of the Japanese people, especially those longing for spring in the snowy regions.
Sakurado’s Spring Harmony: Sakura & Honey-Flavoured Snacks
That sounds very inspiring! Could you also tell us more about the two snacks that are featured in this month’s Omiyage Snack Box?
Just in time for the sakura season and other floral blossoms, we are pleased to introduce the Sakura Seafood Crackers (桜煎) and Sweet Honey Okaki Crackers (甘うまはちみつ).
Enjoy the aroma of spring with the Sakura Seafood Crackers as we put a sakura twist in these rice crackers. Made with real local cherry leaves, you can taste a refined blend of seafood and the elegant fragrance of sakura, complemented by a satisfyingly moderate chew.
The Sweet Honey Okaki Crackers are a fan favourite and a proud part of our signature series, featuring 13 delightful flavours. Made from 100% Niigata rice, the dough is fried to a perfect crisp before being generously drizzled with rich, fine acacia honey.
Oh! During our tasting session, the Sweet Honey Okaki Crackers was ranked one of the highest amongst our group of snack tasters! Is there anything special in terms of ingredients used in this snack?
We are happy to hear that. The Sweet Honey Okaki Crackers are made from Niigata Prefecture’s “Wataboushi” (わたぼうし), a premium variety of glutinous rice. Unlike typical rice snacks that often use crushed or broken or lower-grade rice, we exclusively source top-grade “first-class” rice.
Plus, the dough is carefully crafted using the traditional kinetsuki (杵つき pounded rice on pestle) method, resulting in a smooth and refined texture in our dough.
From Shibata, to the World
Thank you for sharing! Where can our readers from overseas and Japan get their hands on Sakurado’s snacks?
We currently do not have a directly-managed store, but our factory is located within a food industry complex in Shibata City (新発田市) in Niigata, where we built a new company building in September 2024.
Our okaki is also featured as a bar snack in renowned international hotels in Tokyo, including the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, Bulgari Hotel, Ritz-Carlton, Peninsula Hotel, and Four Seasons Hotel, where it has been well received by
Additionally, we export our products overseas to Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United States (including Hawaii), France, Australia, and beyond.
Introduction to Shibata City
Please tell us more about Shibata City, where your company is based.
Shibata City (新発田市) is a key urban center in northern Niigata Prefecture, located in the northern part of the Echigo Plain (Niigata Plain) and adjacent to the prefectural capital, Niigata City. Covering an area of 532.82 km² with a population of approximately 100,000, the city is blessed with diverse natural landscapes.
To the northwest, a picturesque coastline of white sands and lush pine forests stretches along the Sea of Japan, while the southeastern mountainous region is home to the stunning natural scenery of Bandai-Asahi National Park and Tainai Nioji Prefectural Natural Park.
The city is also nourished by the Kaji River (加治川) system, which once boasted Eastern Japan’s best cherry blossom embankments. This fertile land is one of Niigata’s premier production areas for high-quality Koshihikari (コシヒカリ) rice.
With its rich history and culture as a former castle town, the nationally renowned Tsukioka Onsen, and breathtaking natural landscapes stretching from mountains to the sea, Shibata City is full of charm. Striving to become “Japan’s Most Livable City—A Healthy Rural Cultural City”, Shibata continues to grow and develop for the future.
Message from Sakurado
Thank you for that heartfelt sharing! We hope that we get to visit Shibata City, a gem in Niigata Prefecture. Do you have any final messages for our readers at JAPAN RAIL CLUB?
We are delighted and deeply grateful that our two of our rice cracker products are featured in April 2025’s Omiyage Snack Box and that we are able to reach out to more customers to enjoy our rice crackers.
Our hometown, Niigata, is renowned as one of Japan’s finest rice-growing regions. It is our mission at Sakurado to share the deliciousness of Niigata rice through our handcrafted rice cracker products such as arare and okaki, bringing smiles to people around the world.
Guided by our philosophy, “Be like a cherry blossom, blooming in the hearts of the Japanese people,” we are committed to delivering the rich flavours of Japan with every bite.
We hope that our rice cracker products will bring you moments of happiness and warmth.
This April, we will party with the birds and the bees! Enjoy sakura and honey-flavoured snacks with JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s Omiyage Snack Box.
This April 2025, JAPAN RAIL CLUB celebrates the arrival of cherry blossoms with a blooming line-up of sakura and honey-flavoured snacks from all across Japan, including Sakurado’s “Sakura Seafood Crackers” (桜煎) and “Sweet Honey Fried Okaki” (甘うまはちみつ)ーboth of which are making their overseas debut!
Get your hands on these snacks and more in the “Honey Hanami” Omiyage Snack Box, handpicked and curated in Japan, and delivered right to your doorstep. From now until 30 April 2025, enjoy a FREE Omiyage Snack Box on us when you subscribe to a 6-month plan for the first timeーsimply enter the promo code “5FOR6” upon checkout. Happy spring!
