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As I described the final time I wrote concerning the topic, my relationship with Japanese snack tradition is exclusive. As a result of I’m in Japan so usually, I not often get the cravings that many Japanophiles expertise whereas unable to return to the nation for months and even years after every journey.
On the identical time, not everybody in my family is so privileged. Because of this at any time when a field arrives at our door, its contents not often final lengthy—generally not even lengthy sufficient for me to style all of them!
Fortunately, I managed to intercept the most recent Sakuraco field earlier than my husband had an opportunity to comprehend it had come. In a quest to not devour every thing inside it in a matter of hours, I believed I’d use this chance to do a run-down of Sakuraco vs Bokksu—I’m positive lots of you might be questioning how these packing containers are completely different from each other.
Why Are Japanese Snack Packing containers So Widespread These Days?
Whereas I’ll in all probability by no means forgive (and positively always remember) Japan’s years-long border closure, journey restrictions did profit corporations like Bokksu and Sakuraco. Locked out of Japan with no thought of after they would possibly get again in, Japanophiles had been restricted to “touring” utilizing their style buds and different proxies. For a lot of, having genuine Japanese snacks delivered to their doorways was an appropriate substitute, at the very least within the short-term.
Even now, with inbound tourism to Japan having absolutely rebounded, there’s worth to having Japanese sweet and different treats obtainable nearly anyplace on the earth. The truth is that the majority vacationers don’t get to spend as a lot time in Japan as I do. In case you go to in April one yr however gained’t have the ability to come again till November of the following, you’ve acquired to have one thing to tide you over—a snack field is a wonderful possibility for this.
Methods to Evaluate Sakuraco and Bokksu
Simplicity
One of many issues I really like about Sakuraco is that there’s not numerous work on the a part of the patron. There’s only one month-to-month field, which is entrance and heart on the Sakuraco web site. Whilst you can after all study extra concerning the contents of and the inspiration behind every field, there’s one major name to motion—and one huge reward. With Bokksu, then again, there are every kind of à la carte gadgets on the market, and secondary packing containers past the primary month-to-month ones; the location feels cluttered and the buying expertise feels hectic and overwhelming.
Selection
As I opened the December 2023 “Holidays in Hokkaido” Sakuraco field, what instantly impressed me was the eclecticism of the gadgets on provide. From gadgets that had been clearly Japanese (a matcha–genmaicha tea mix) and native (Hakodate squid senbei crackers), to ones like baumkuchen, which make extra oblique references to the complexity and richness of Hokkaido’s cultural heritage, it lined all of the bases—there was even a beautiful indigo yuzen dish inside for serving! In case you’re deciding between Sakuraco or Bokksu, the cautious consideration to element the previous pays actually eclipses that of the latter.
Presentation
Which isn’t to say Bokksu doesn’t put numerous gadgets into its Japan snack field—it might be inaccurate to say that they don’t. Sadly, to my eyes, Bokksu packing containers have a cluttered, crowded look that makes them visually unappealing. That is to say nothing of the truth that Sakuraco, against this, instantly units the temper. The sticker that holds the field shut proudly declares that it was “crafted in Japan”; a postcard from the founder with a print of Japanese art work on the entrance visually introduces the theme in a sublime, pleasing manner, even earlier than you open the enclosed 24-page tradition information.
Worth
As you select between Bokksu or Sakuraco, it’s not nearly esoteric and ethereal qualities—sensible issues like value are simply as vital. As of December 2023, Sakuraco prices lower than Bokksu, irrespective of how lengthy you subscribe for. The truth is, even in case you merely buy one month of Sakuraco (for $37.50), you’re paying lower than you’d pay on a per-box foundation in case you purchased 12 months of Bokksu ($39.99). Against this, you’ll pay simply $32.50 monthly to subscribe to Sakuraco per yr, which makes this feature an particularly inviting one.
NOTE: Costs for Sakuraco don’t embrace delivery, which might be as much as $12.50 per field, relying upon your location.
Idea
Whereas there may be some variance relating to seasons and festivals, Sakuraco’s packing containers every give attention to a particular prefecture, metropolis or area in Japan as a normal rule. Whereas buying Bokksu, then again, you’ll probably really feel a bit extra confused. A few of the subscription packing containers have seemingly un-Japanese themes (just like the one about Valentine’s Day, which in Japan is most notable for…ladies giving items to males); along with these subscription packing containers, there are packing containers “themed” to birthdays, Christmas and New Years, which find yourself seeming generic and unexpectedly thrown collectively. See for your self whenever you scope out the upcoming month’s theme on Sakuraco, and examine that to principally something on the Bokksu web site.
Sakuraco’s Much less Apparent Edge
To the passive observer, the above variations between every of those fashionable snack field choices are the place the distinctions finish. Nevertheless, there are deeper contrasts to be drawn. Whereas lots of the individuals who work with and for Bokksu have a deep curiosity in and ties to Japan, solely Sakuraco can declare to be a Japan-founded and based mostly nation. This reality permits Sakuraco to supply all of its merchandise domestically, and to extra simply full the on-the-ground analysis required to find out which of them should make the minimize.
Sakuraco don’t do that all on their very own, both. They additional improve the worth proposition of their packing containers by working immediately with authorities in Japanese prefectures, who add one other layer of depth and data to the method of placing collectively every field. The extra deeply I get to know Japan myself, the extra I respect others who put the identical effort into doing the identical. That is, to me, why the Bokksu vs Sakuraco comparability isn’t a lot of a contest.
Different FAQ About Japanese Subscription Packing containers
What’s the distinction between Sakuraco and Bokksu?
To me, the primary distinction between Sakuraco and Bokksu is simplicity vs. complexity. Whereas Sakuraco affords a single month-to-month field, which focuses on a specific prefecture, area or season of Japan, Bokksu affords a wider vary of field choices. Whereas this is perhaps interesting to some potential prospects, I personally discover that the complexity of getting to choose and select defeats the aim of a snack field that’s meant to carry pleasure to your door with out a lot thought.
Is Bokksu truly from Japan?
Whereas the snacks contained inside Bokksu packing containers are from Japan, the corporate itself is just not truly based mostly in Japan. Because of this the method of curating the snacks within the packing containers is commonly a hands-off course of carried out remotely, slightly than one performed by locals with native data.
Is Sakuraco legit?
As somebody who spends months of yearly in Japan and used to reside there, and I can safely say that Sakuraco is reliable. Each time I open a Sakuraco field, I really feel transported again to Japan, as if I’ve strolled into one of many side-street outlets you generally cross whenever you enterprise off the crushed path in a sure city or metropolis. Particularly, I’m impressed by how persistently Sakuraco options snacks that signify elements of Japan far off the vacationer path.
The Backside Line
Whereas some elements of selecting Sakuraco vs Bokksu are subjective, I do really feel that the previous is a greater product (and repair) than the latter on the entire. Now, if a Bokksu field arrived at my door, I would definitely eat the contents—let’s not be foolish! However from the design and curation of the field and the merchandise inside it, to the simplicity of the themes and the method of ordering and subscription, Sakuraco has a critical edge over Bokksu. That is to say nothing of the truth that solely one among these corporations (Sakuraco) is predicated in Japan and works with native suppliers. Regardless of which you select, I hope your subsequent Japanese snack field is scrumptious and satisfying!
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