Spring is cherry blossom season in Japan. Everything turns pink from the flowers. Probably the best time to visit Japan. But when you can’t go, you can always substitute with Japanese goodies! Like this cherry blossom inspired chocolate.
Morinaga Sakurano Koeda
Isn’t this cute? So pink! This chocolate is very season appropriate. It has sakura (cherry blossom) petals in the chocolate and dōmyōji puffs. Almost mimicking sakuramochi. Dōmyōji is a traditional confectionary made of sticky rice. Typically, you would eat it while admiring the cherry blossoms. The flavors of these chocolates are elegant but pronounced enough that you almost forget the chocolate. Maybe the milk chocolate is too mild? It’s still good and different. I wouldn’t crave it everyday but would happily eat an entire box without sharing it once in a while.
The packaging is what you’ve come to expect from Japanese packaging. Kawaii designed. And always resealable. This one even has instructions on how you can open the individually packaged chocolates (4 little Koedas in each little package) without having to touch the chocolate. You know, in case you don’t have a hand sanitizer on you? I don’t know…
The individual packaging is super kawaii~! And looking very crafty. Each animal comes with a piece of trivia about that animal. Yummy and educational 
I particularly like the detail of the pink butt on the monkey. Very Japanese. (They are the ones that you might find bathing in the hot springs! I’m serious!)
Happy Spring!
