
Japanese beverage maker Suntory has just announced it will be releasing its first-ever cherry blossom-flavoured Pepsi this spring.
Update: it’s out now, and we were among the first to taste it! Our full review and pics here.
From white Pepsi in winter to ghost Pepsi on Halloween, Japan is absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to limited edition soft drink releases. While Suntory, the nation’s Pepsi manufacturer, has brought out some unusual flavours like Lemon and Mint, and even Salty Watermelon in seasons past, they’ve never dabbled in one of the country’s most well-known signature flavours: sakura.
▼ The closest we ever came to something that resembled the famous cherry blossom was the strawberry milk-flavoured pink cola in 2014.
Things are set to change this year, with the company releasing a limited-edition sakura-flavoured Pepsi just in time for the cherry blossom season. Available nation-wide from 8 March, the new soft drink has the same pale pink colour as the blossoms, and is said to have a brilliant, sweet sakura aroma and flavour. The packaging is also a showstopper, with “Sakura” written across the label as if with a calligrapher’s brush, alongside a number of pink blossoms and petals pictured against a bold black background.
Retailing for 140 yen (US$1.20) each, the new release will only be available for a limited time during the spring season.
Source: Suntory Japan
Top Image: Suntory Japan (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert Images: Suntory Japan(1), (2)
UPDATE: It’s out now!
We try the delicious new Japan-only sakura Pepsi【Taste test】




We try the delicious new Japan-only sakura Pepsi【Taste test】
Coca-Cola Japan releases milk tea with cherry and sakura blossom flavours for spring
Japan gets world’s strongest carbonated Pepsi, packaged in a new reinforced bottle
Pepsi Japan teases new limited-edition flavour with clever marketing
Pepsi Japan to release its “most refreshing” cola ever
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Tokyo Station’s perfect breakfast spot might just be this izakaya Japanese-style pub
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
We fall in love with a bucket of Japanese custard pudding【Taste test】
Men Who Disappoint at Goukon (Group Blind Date), Nine Types That Shouldn’t Even Bother Showing up!
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan unveils first sakura drink for cherry blossom season 2019
Citrus-packing “Pepsi White” coming to Japan for the winter snow season
Pepsi’s new Japan Cola has a special ingredient: one of Japan’s most delicious sweets seasonings
Coca-Cola Japan unveils new cherry blossom sakura design bottle for 2018
Sakura season begins at Lotteria Japan with new mochi pie and parfait shake
Starbucks Japan brings sakura sweets to the table for cherry blossom season 2024
Starbucks Japan unveils first sakura drink for cherry blossom season 2024
New sakura cherry blossom Coca-Cola bottle available only in Japan
Lindt blends sakura with pistachios for cherry blossom season in Japan
Lindt releases world’s first-ever Sakura Lindor ball in Japan
New sakura-flavoured Red Bull to be released in Japan in time for cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan unveils first sakura drink for cherry blossom season 2021
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura drink for cherry blossom season 2025
Suntory releases new Pepsi soft drinks only available in Japan