
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】
Pepsi Japan to release its “most refreshing” cola ever
Japan gets world’s strongest carbonated Pepsi, packaged in a new reinforced bottle
Coca-Cola Japan releases milk tea with cherry and sakura blossom flavours for spring
Pepsi Japan teases new limited-edition flavour with clever marketing
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Google’s first Google Store outside the U.S. is now open in Tokyo
Delta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
Ride a tram that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a new limited-time history tour
Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]
Pokémon donuts are coming to Krispy Kreme in the U.S. [Photos]
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
New sakura cherry blossom Coca-Cola bottle available only in Japan
Suntory releases new Pepsi soft drinks only available in Japan
Pepsi’s new Japan Cola has a special ingredient: one of Japan’s most delicious sweets seasonings
Starbucks Japan unveils first sakura drink for cherry blossom season 2019
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
Citrus-packing “Pepsi White” coming to Japan for the winter snow season
Starbucks Japan unveils first sakura drink for cherry blossom season 2024
Starbucks sakura series 2015: Caramel, chocolate and a flowery chiffon cake
Cinnabon celebrates cherry blossom season in Japan with first-ever Sakura Minibon
Lindt blends sakura with pistachios for cherry blossom season in Japan
Lindt releases world’s first-ever Sakura Lindor ball in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan brings sakura sweets to the table for cherry blossom season 2024
Starbucks Japan unveils first sakura drink for cherry blossom season 2021