One of Japan’s most delicious desserts inspires humorously fashionable headwear.

With the weather warming up, people across Japan are putting away their heavy winter coats and getting out breezier, more festively colored spring clothing. Since the sakura are starting to bloom in Tokyo, many are looking for a way to incorporate a little pink into their outfits, and this subtly playful beret from hatmaker Kabugaisha is just the thing to wear to a cherry blossom viewing party.

If you’re wondering why this beret needs a leaf, it’s because it’s modeled after sakura mochi, a type of much-loved Japanese confectionery in which a sweet bean paste-filled mochi dumpling is wrapped in a leaf from a cherry tree. Specifically, the sakura mochi beret is inspired by the round style of sakura mochi popular in the Kansai region of central Japan, as opposed to the oblong shape more common in the country’s Kanto area, which includes Tokyo.

▼ The felt hat’s inner lining has a traditional asanohana/hemp leaf pattern.

The sakura mochi beret is listed on the website of Japanese novelty retailer Village Vanguard for 5,940 yen (US$53). Unfortunately it’s currently sold out, though Village Vanguard is still stocked with other food-themed berets from Kabugaisha, such as the shiitake mushroom, shiso (Japanese basil), nasu (Japanese eggplant), and apple hats, all of which can be ordered here for 4,860 yen.

And remember, even if you don’t manage to get your hands on a sakura mochi beret, you can still enjoy sakura mochi-inspired beer this cherry blossom season.

Source: IT Media
Top image: Village Vanguard (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert images: Village Vanguard, Cafi Net, Village Vanguard (2, 3, 4, 5) (edited by RocketNews24)

Follow Casey on Twitter, where his love of sakura sweets knows no bounds.