A recent bump in views on my Häagen-Dazs in Japan post reminded me that I still haven’t posted about the Sakura and Rose flavors! I love how endlessly creative and inventive Häagen-Dazs is here in Japan, and these new flavors are an excellent addition to the list of flavors. These were released as a special limited edition in celebration of the 30th anniversary here in Japan, and the unusual flavors really provided something special for the occasion.

First off, the packaging is very pretty, with lots of pink and a light pearlescent sheen making you feel slightly less bad about spending too much money on too little ice cream. It’s a luxury item, and it wants you to be well aware of that fact!

It’s not all flash and shine though, as the ice cream really is a step above your average pint. On top of both is a lovely sauce, which brightens and balances the smoother dairy flavors underneath. The Sakura has cherry and lemon flavors, a ribbon of raspberry marbled into the ice cream. The Rose also has a lovely fruity sauce and marbling, and one of my coworkers thinks it tastes of strawberry. The rose really shines in this ice cream though, and I’ve got a handful tucked in my tiny freezer for when the supply in stores runs out (sooner rather than later, I’m sure!)

Not everyone in Japan is such a fan though. Floral flavors can be a bit hard for some people to wrap their heads around, and while Sakura is quite common in the Spring, rose is a bit of a stretch for some. People have likened it to air freshener or shampoo, but I don’t think it tastes like a bathroom! Then again, my all time favorite soft-cream flavor is lavender, so floral flavors are right up my alley.

Have you tried these ice cream flavors? Would you like to? Let me know what you think in the comments!