Spring cuisine
The Japanese are well aware of the Sakura’s popularity among tourists and locals alike, so expect to see a lot of cherry blossom flavoured food and drinks, like chocolate, lattes and cocktails. Sakura themed treats are very popular at this time of year - don’t miss out on sakura mochi, cherry blossom themed rice cakes which you’ll find at almost every sweet shop in the city. The strawberry season is also in full swing during the spring months in Japan, although it does start as early as December. Think biscuits, sweets, chocolate, cheesecake, ice cream, milk – you name it, I can almost guarantee it exists. If the sky could be flavoured strawberry pink, it would have been done. There are even whole restaurants dedicated to strawberries at this time of year, where you can go and indulge in an all you can eat, strawberry themed buffet! But a major tourist attraction in Tokyo is the street food culture, and no exception is made during spring. If you’re not a sweet-tooth and the strawberry craze doesn’t really phase you, perhaps you’ll find the savoury street food options more appealing. Two words: bamboo shoots. Not familiar? Bamboo shoots are one of the most popular vegetables in Japan during spring. Along with other wild vegetables like Fatsia sprouts and fuki buds, bamboo shoots are boiled in water and often served as a dish side next to rice.