The Gion branch of Saryo Tsujiri released its new dessert “Hana no Utage” (Flower Banquet) on April 1.

Price: ¥1,451 (Tax Included) / Available: April 1, 2019 – April 30, 2019

This parfait breathes springtime with its blooming cherry blossom ice cream, fluffy cherry blossom cream, cherry blossom cookie, matcha cookie and more.

If you’re in Kyoto this spring then treat yourself to this refreshing parfait.

Taking place in the city of Hirosaki in western Aomori Prefecture, this year’s Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival will run from April 20 to  May 6.

This annual festival is the biggest in Hirosaki bringing in over 2 million people every year. Visitors will once again to be treated to a visual spectacle of 2,600 cherry blossom trees of 52 different species blooming their beautiful pink flowers in Hirosaki Park.

Various events and activities will take place throughout the festival such as boat rides, a tour carried out by the one of the gardeners, and more.

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Celebratory Lantern Parade

The festival will hold a parade on May 3―the date on which the first flower-viewing party event in Hirosaki was first carried out. It will ring in the start of Japan’s new era following Emperor Akihito’s abdication with a lantern parade

Running: May 3 from 10:00am

Where: From Hirosaki Park Otemon Gate to Inner East Gate

Flower-Viewing Party in Traditional Japanese Dress

This flower-viewing party was so popular last year that it is making a return in 2019. Dress up in traditional Japanese clothing and receive a special ticket to enter the Hirosaki Castle botanical gardens for free.

Running: April 20, 2019 – May 6, 2019

Ticket Location: Ninomaru / Shinomaru Information Centre

Hirosaki Park Boat Ride

Enjoy the cherry blossoms from a different angle with a boat ride along the moat.

Running: April 20, 2019 – May 6, 2019

Time: 9:00-17:00 (Last rides at 16:30) *Subject to change depending on weather and number of boarders

Special Cherry Blossom Tour

The park’s gardeners will carry out a tour of the cherry blossoms and provide interesting explanations.

Running: April 30, 2019 & May 2, 2019

Time: From 13:30 (90 minute tour)

No. of People: 40 people per tour (first-come, first-served)

Price: Free

Flower Carpet

During the cherry blossom’s full bloom season thousands of petals will fall into the moat, creating a gorgeous pink carpet on the water surface. This will make for some great photographs.

Twitter Japan is now holding a campaign entitled Sakura Saku (#サクラサク) until April 30, 2019. The campaign title means “blooming cherry blossoms” and is a way to get more people talking about the country’s springtime cherry blossoms online.

There are 3 ways to participate and it’s super easy to get involved.

1. Bloom cherry blossoms across Twitter feeds with hashtags (Running: Until April 30)

Twitter has implemented a feature so when certain hashtags are posted a cherry blossom flower appears after it.

These hashtags are as follows: #さくら ＃花見 #はなみ #お花見 #桜 #おはなみ #sakura #開花 #開花宣言 #咲いた #さくらの日 #サクラ #夜桜 #満開 #cherryblossom #サクラサク 

Additionally, if you hit “Like” on a Tweet that has one of these hashtags in it the heart symbol becomes a cherry blossom.

2. Cardcaptor Sakura Collaboration (Running: March 27 – April 30)

These cherry blossom marks also work with the hashtag #木之本桜 which is Sakura Kinomoto’s name in Japanese, the protagonist of Cardcaptor Sakura.

27 lucky people have the chance to win a special merchandise set made in collaboration with Twitter and the series by simply retweeting the above Tweet.

3. Sakura for Good Project (Running: Until April 30)

Twitter will donate to Sakura Line 311, a non-profit orgranisation that plants cherry blossoms, depending on how many times the hashtag #桜 is Tweeted including Retweets. Anybody can join this campaign and it goes towards a good cause.

If you have a Twitter account then be sure to get involved.

We previously covered the top cherry blossom events to enjoy in Japan’s Kanto region for this year’s hanami. If you’re travelling to the Kansai region however―which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe and many others―then we’ve got you covered for that too. Here are our Top 3 picks for cherry blossom events you should visit this flower-viewing spring season in Kansai.

Kyoto Botanical Garden – Sakura Light-Up 2019

Kyoto Botanical Garden’s Sakura Light-Up 2019 will run from March 25 to April 7 followed by the Sakura Sanpo cherry blossom strolling event from April 19 to 21. The garden boasts a long cherry blossom season. In many famous cherry blossom spots in Japan the Yoshino cherry trees bloom for one week at the beginning of April, but at Kyoto Botanical Garden they sprout early in mid-March and stay until the end of April, meaning you can enjoy the beautiful pink hues for even longer.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/163353

CAFETEL Kyoto Sanjo for Ladies – SAKURA ROOM

CAFETEL Kyoto Sanjo for Ladies is a female-oriented café and hostel that is now taking bookings for its SAKURA ROOM. This beautiful room radiates a spring vibe with its light coloured ribbon curtains, a cherry blossom fragrance that permeates the room, pretty cherry blossom flower crowns and more. There are plenty of places to snap some Instagrammable pictures. From outside the window guests can the scenery of the city of Kamogawa so they can enjoy hanami from their room!

Osaka Hirakata Park – Enjoy 300 Cherry Trees桜300本が楽しめる 大阪ひらかたパーク

From the end of March to the beginning of April, sakura will bloom at Hirakata amusement park. There are approximately 300 sakura trees and eight varieties of tree including Yoshino cherry blossoms. Amongst the park attractions is the “Skywalker”; a giant ferris wheel that overlooks the park. The path to the ride is hilly and lined with sakura trees, so during full bloom, the path is completely covered in a bed of pink petals. Enjoy the cherry blossoms while riding the attractions!

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/186019

Did you enjoy this list? Be sure to see as many cherry blossom spots as you can when in Japan.

Edo Wonderland is a cultural theme park in Nikko, Tochigi that recreates what life was like back in the Edo period. The park is currently putting efforts in to provide a new kind of food experience to guests. Since last year, with the help of Rei Fuyuki―a food researcher knowledgeable in Edo cuisine―the park has been serving authentic Edo style dishes inspired by the four seasons.

This spring, Edo Wonderland is set to host a new event that will offer people a chance to experience an Edo hanami. They will tuck into food from the Edo period while viewing the cherry blossoms.

Guests will be able to enjoy hanami in a variety of different ways, be it under the blue sky, on the side of a moat with a bento in hand, in the restaurant with a luxurious hanami-inspired meal and sake, and more.

The EDO-SATOYAMA Project is an initiative that aims to restore the original scenery of Edo. As part of the project, British-born Japanese writer and environmentalist C. W. Nicol planted cherry trees with children from local nurseries last year. He is set to participate in this year’s Edo hanami too where he will fertilise and water plants with the children to help pass on the importance of taking care of the beautiful undeveloped woodlands.

Change into traditional Japanese dress and become a person of Edo to enjoy a unique Edo flower-viewing experience.

From national holiday Thursday 21st March to Sunday 14th April, world heritage Nijō Castle (Kyoto) is holding a cherry blossom festival to celebrate its 25th anniversary called “Seikaiisan tōroku 25 shūnenkinen Nijōjō Sakuramatsuri 2019”. Last spring, approximately 304,594 people visited the castle during the day and during the night illumination event, making Nijō castle one of the most popular places in Kyoto to watch cherry blossoms.

Nijō castle is home to 300 cherry blossom trees. There are approximately 50 different varieties of cherry blossoms and some bloom earlier and later than others. Kanhi-zakura tend to bloom first, followed by Somei Yoshino, Yamazakura, Segakuzakura and Satozakura, meaning that you have approximately one month to enjoy cherry blossoms!

For two years now, the night Sakura festival includes projection mapping on the castle gates, illumination on the rapeseed blossoms, and much more! This time the festival space will be the largest it’s ever been. This has been powered up to become an even more enjoyable event.

Gate projection mapping

Blue butterflies form on the gate, turn into gold and dance into the castle as if they are bringing spring into Nijō castle.

Illumination of thin Sakura-lined paths and Rapeseed Sakura

This will be the first time that the small path that passes out of the park of Sakura will also be illuminated. The area before the thin pathway is a great photo spot that visitors can enjoy! This is where the illuminated rapeseed blossoms will be.

Seiryu garden illumination

At Seiryu garden, the illumination suddenly moves when you shine your smartphone light on it, and when you sit on a bench, the trees in front of you will suddenly light up ー this illumination is an interactive experience affected by the movements of the visitors!

There are also a variety of other special events such as a live flower arranging performance and a traditional arts performance called “Denraku”. This is a festival that combines traditional and digital art and it is a flower viewing experience unique to Nijō Castle.

Gotenyama Sakura Matsuri 2019 w ill take place at Gotenyama Trust City in Shinagawa, Tokyo from March 29 to 31.

Gotenyama Trust City is a 7-minute walk from the busy district of Gotanda in Shinagawa. Despite being at the heart of the city, it is home to a large and lush green park. The site has been a famous site for viewing the cherry blossoms in spring since the Edo period. It’s also steeped in Edo culture and history as a place where the shogun carried out falconry, where tea parties were held, and more.

A new era of Japan is set to begin at the end of April when Emperor Akihibo abdicates. The festival will be lined with colourful lanterns with each era of Japan written on them from Edo to Heisei.

Each day will be dedicated to the last cherry blossoms of the Heisei era. The entire day will be used, with the cherry trees being lit up with beautiful illuminations in the evening.

Gotenyama will also be host to a range of art displays and showcases using the latest technology. One of these will be the above-pictured “Negai no Sakura” (Wishing Cherry Blossoms) which will be placed at the office entrance. It will invite the people working in the Gotenyama area, locals and everyone else to contribute their wishes. When the festival finishes it will be dedicated to Shinagawa Shrine.

There will also be a tea ceremony workshop inside a tearoom, a chance to learn more about the history of Gotenyama and more.

Over 30 exciting events and activities are planned for this year’s festival, so don’t miss out.

The cherry blossoms are slowly blooming flower by flower in the Kanto region of Japan―which encompasses the Greater Tokyo Area and six other prefectures.

What kind of hanami, or “flower blooming” season can we expect to enjoy this year? We have compiled a list of six must-attend events celebrating Japan’s beautiful cherry blossoms of the Kanto region this year.

Yozakura Jewel Illuminations at Yomiuri Land

Japanese amusement park Yomiuri Land is set to hold its first ever Yozakura Jewel Illumination event from March 21 to April 7. It will combine evening-time cherry blossoms with a range of different gorgeous illuminations. The 180-meter long Sakura Promenade will be lined with bright lights in the evening, creating a memorable and must-see display. The Ferris wheel, too, will be lit up with colourful lights in the image of cherry blossoms, creating a romantic spectacle.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/182255

Tenkuu no Ohanami 2019 at Roppongi Hills Observation Deck

The Tokyo City View Observation Deck at Roppongi Hills is holding a hanami event this spring titled Tenkuu no Ohanami 2019 (“Flower Viewing From the Sky 2019”) which will run from March 15 to April 7. From the observation deck you can glimpse the cherry blossoms dotted around some of Tokyo’s most famous sites and landmarks including Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen and elsewhere, each of which will be a sight to behold from up high in the sky.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/182366

Sakura Matsuri 2019 at Ark Hills

Sakura Matusri 2019 will run from April 5 to 7 at Ark Hills in Tokyo. The 1km long tunnel of cherry trees―a symbol and landmark of the surrounding area―will decorated with beautiful illuminations. The bridge that runs from Ark Hills’s south tower to the main building is a secret hanami spot that overlooks the row of trees that run up Spain-zaka Slope. This means you can enjoy the flowers from different angles, whether down below and up close or up high overhead.

Tokyo Disney Resort’s® Kawazu-zakura

Make sure to stop by Minnie’s House in Tokyo Disneyland’s® Toon Town which is home to a Kawazu-zakura tree. These trees typically bloom faster than Yoshino cherry trees and are known for their deep pink colour. The pink house and pink cherry blossoms are such a cute match! A range of cherry blossom- and spring-themed items will also be sold to be enjoyed together with the hanami season.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/180825

Rickshawing Through the Meguro River Cherry Blossoms With Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

For a three-day limited period from March 29 to 31, you can thoroughly enjoy Japanese hospitality as Hotel Gajoen Tokyo will be running a rickshaw service around Meguro River for guests to enjoy the cherry blossoms. When booking a room at the hotel you can select a plan that includes this rickshaw ride around Tokyo’s foremost-leading cherry blossom viewing hot spot for 30 minutes. During the ride, guests can enjoy the spring breeze as they sweep around the cherry blossom trees of Meguro River. The plan includes a springtime cherry blossom menu and more, so if you’re looking for luxury then look no further!

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/173973

Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest Cherry Blossom Festival

The Lake Sagami Cherry Blossom Festival will be held at Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest in Kanagawa Prefecture from March 21, 2019. Just an hour’s distance from Tokyo, this hanami festival is a chance to enjoy 2,500 cherry trees―the biggest collection in the Kanto region―from many different angles. Board the “Pair Lift” and glide over the gorgeous cherry blossom trees for a skybound hanami experience. Soar even higher in a hot-air balloon and see the pink landscape and evening illuminations.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/?p=183232

Did you enjoy this list? When visiting Japan for the cherry blossoms be sure you get to experience them in lots of different ways and from different angles.

Eggs ‘n Things are releasing a splash of pink to their menu this spring. The spring-limited menu includes a strawberry and cherry blossom whipped cream pancake (いちごと桜ホイップのパンケーキ) and a pink eggs benedict with beetroot sauce. The menu will be available from Friday 22nd March to Thursday 25th April 2019.

Strawberry and cherry blossom whipped cream pancake ￥1,480 (+ tax)

いちごと桜ホイップのパンケーキ

Strawberry paste is kneaded into the pancake and the pancake is topped with cherry blossom-flavoured whipped cream. This dessert is covered with smooth, refreshing strawberries and fromage blanc sourced from within Japan. A generous servicing of strawberry sauce finishes the dish. Enjoy this with a serving of light and sweet spring-coloured whipped cream!

Pink eggs benedict with beetroot sauce ￥1,380 (+ tax)

ビーツソースのピンクベネディクト

The well-known superfood the eggs benedict but served with a twist. A spring-themed pink hollandaise sauce has been made by combining white sauce with beetroot sauce. This is served with salmon, mozzarella cheese and avocado ー what a perfect combination!

Enjoy a serving of Eggs ’n Things limited edition menu along with a slice of happiness this spring!

The hanami season is almost here! Hanami is one of the main ways of enjoying spring in Japan, but don’t forget about all of the seasonal, cherry blossom themed treats being sold specially for this spring time. Why not head to a cafe to see what seasonal goodies they have this year?

Over at Daimaru Tokyo they are having a cherry blossom sweets fair from March 15 to April 9. Let’s take a look at new desserts at 7 cafes in the department store.

Sakura Doki: ¥1,533 @ Saryo Tsujiri (Floor 10F)

A new experiment this season, the Sakura Dokri is a parfait made with non-alcoholic sweet sake. Spoon into cherry blossom flavoured sweet sake jelly, cherry blossom iced cream, strawberry sherbet, dango and more. This is spring and sakura in a cup!

Blue Afternoon Tea Fragola for 2: ¥5,600 @ THE CAMPANELLA CAFE (Floor 4F)

The hugely popular Blue Afternoon Tea Set of THE CAMPANELLA CAFE is turning pink for this spring season only.

Cherry Blossom & Strawberry White Crepe: ¥1,944 @ Sembikiya Fruit Parlour (Floor 3F)

A beautiful offering of cherry blossom bean paste and Japanese strawberries served onto a crepe with cherry blossom-fragranced white chocolate sauce and strawberry ice cream.

Classic Pancake Strawberry Fall: ¥780 @ Tully’s Coffee (Floor 4F)

These pancakes are loaded with strawberry sauce and drizzled in condensed milk.

Fruit Waffle: ¥1,080 (w/ drink ¥1,404) @ Cafe Eikokuka (Floor 7F)

Strawberries, kiwi and other colourful fruits bring spring to these deliciously fried waffles.

Cherry Blossom Anmitsu (w/ drink): ¥1,400 @ INODA COFFEE (Floor 8F)

This anmitsu―or syrup-covered anko bean jam―has been updated for spring with a cherry blossom flavour.

Printanier: ¥864 (w/ drink ¥1,404) @ BURDIGALA CAFE  (Floor 5F)

This printanier is a cake made with cherry blossom and mascarpone cream and a pistachio mousse.

Don’t miss this sakura sweets this spring at Daimaru Tokyo!

People are gearing up to enjoy the cherry blossoms at the upcoming Lake Sagami Cherry Blossom Festival which will take place at Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest in Sagamihara, Kanagawa from March 21, 2019.

Just an hour’s distance from Tokyo, this hanami festival is a chance to enjoy 2,500 cherry trees―the biggest collection in the Kanto region―from many different angles.

Climb aboard the Pair Lift to glide over the gorgeous strip of trees and enjoy hanami from up high.

Nighttime illuminations of all the trees will also run until April 7, 2019. A whopping 6 million illuminations will light up the trees to create a magical evening spectacle.

Hot-Air Balloon Hanami

Soar even higher and gaze across the pink landscape inside a hot-air balloon.

Hanami Photo Spot

Snap a photo at the fun photo spot located halfway up the rows of cherry trees. Countless white lights and bright white trees will provide a beautiful ground to your picture.

Hanami Food

Wild Dining, a restaurant in the heart of the park, will serve up a festive menu which can be enjoyed while viewing the cherry blossoms from the giant open windows.

After admiring the flowers and illuminations, why not take a dip in the resort’s hot springs? There is also a special ticket set that includes a free entry pass to the park when travelling there from Yokohama Station.

Enjoy the cherry blossoms in the daytime and evening at this year’s cherry blossom festival at Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest.

The Tokyo City View Observation Deck at Roppongi Hills is holding a hanami event this spring titled Tenkuu no Ohanami 2019 (“Flower Viewing From the Sky 2019”) which will run from March 15 to April 7.

From the observation deck you can glimpse the cherry blossoms dotted around some of Tokyo’s most famous sites and landmarks including Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen and more. Aoyama Cemetery in particular, located in the direction of Shibuya and Shinjuku, will be a sight to behold from high above.

Roppongi Hills Spring Festival 2019 will also be running from April 5 to 7 at the Sky Deck where they are holding a kimono campaign. If you arrive dressed in a kimono then you can get in the Sky Deck for free. Beautiful music will provide the soundtrack to the exciting event.

Finally, up on the 52nd floor restaurant and bar lounge, a selection of cherry blossom inspired dishes will be serve, and brand-new springtime souvenirs will line the shelves at the souvenir shop.

Enjoy a panoramic view in the heart of Tokyo of the city’s spectacular cherry blossom spots.