FAQ About Cherry Blossom Festivals

Sakura Mochi (桜餅): Sakura mochi is a type of rice cake with a sweet filling, typically wrapped in a cherry blossom leaf (sakura leaf) and tied with a thin strip of pickled cherry blossom. The rice cake is often pink, and the filling can be red bean paste or a sweetened mixture of shiro-an (white bean paste) and sakura leaf.

Hanami Dango (花見団子): Hanami dango are colorful rice dumplings skewered on sticks. The dumplings are usually tri-colored, representing the colors of cherry blossoms—pink, white, and green. They are often grilled or steamed and have a chewy texture.

Sakura-Flavored Treats: Various snacks and sweets are infused with sakura flavor, providing a subtle floral taste. These may include sakura-flavored chocolates, cookies, and wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets).

Sakurayu (桜湯): Sakurayu is a simple cherry blossom tea made by steeping pickled cherry blossoms in hot water. It's a light and fragrant tea that adds a touch of the cherry blossom season to the hanami experience.

Cherry Blossom Wagashi: Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets, and during Cherry Blossom Festivals, you may find wagashi shaped like cherry blossoms or adorned with cherry blossom designs.

Sakura Senbei (桜せんべい): Senbei are Japanese rice crackers, and during the cherry blossom season, some are flavored with sakura or decorated with cherry blossom motifs.

Sakura Ice Cream: Ice cream shops often offer limited-edition sakura-flavored ice cream during the cherry blossom season. The delicate floral notes add a refreshing touch to the ice cream.