It may go without saying, but the centerpiece of sightseeing in Japan in the spring is getting to view the cherry blossoms. We introduce here places in Tokyo where you can see types of sakura in bloom earlier than usual!
It may go without saying, but the centerpiece of sightseeing in Japan in the spring is getting to view the cherry blossoms, or as they’re known in Japanese, sakura. This I’m sure we can all agree is Japan’s most beautiful time of the year, when everything seems to be dyed pink by the cherry blossoms.
How many of you think that getting to view the cherry blossoms is an experience that only those who visit Japan from the end of March until around the beginning of April get to experience? It might not be known by many people, but depending on the type, there are some cherry blossoms that will bloom earlier than what’s considered to be the cherry blossom season. We’d like to share with you the types of cherry blossoms that bloom earlier than others, as well as the spots around Tokyo where those of you visiting Japan can enjoy these flowers from around halfway through February to around mid-March.
What are the Cherry Blossoms that Bloom in February and March?
I’m sure many Japanophiles may already know this, but there are various types of cherry blossoms. The well-known cherry blossoms that bloom in the so-called ‘cherry blossom season’ at the end of March until the beginning of April are the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms. I’m sure there are many of you who’ve heard of this type of cherry blossom before. Believe it or not, there are actually cherry blossoms that also bloom from February to March. Out of these cherry blossoms the kawazu-zakura are well known.
The kawazu-zakura that bloom earlier than other cherry blossoms were given their name after being discovered in the city of Kawazu in Shizuoka prefecture. Along with the city of Kawazu in Shizuoka, the southern region of the city of Izu is also famous for having kawazu-zakura. From the beginning of February to the beginning of March there’s even a sakura festival that takes place in this region.
It’s not just Shizuoka prefecture, but there are even spots in Tokyo too where you can view the kawazu-zakura. Of course it all depends on the location and weather, but these flowers bloom a little bit later than they do in the city of Kawazu and in the southern region of the city of Izu. You can enjoy these cherry blossoms in Tokyo for about one month, from about mid-February until about halfway through March.
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The NFT platform ‘Adam by GMO’ will offer the creative company NAKED’s first piece of NFT art. Sakura Ousai has been featured in the hands-on art exhibition NAKED FLOWERS held in Nihonbashi, Nijo Castle, Hong Kong, and Korea. The NFT will be available in late March and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to support Ukraine. Since its establishment in 1997, NAKED has constantly produced incredibly unique art installations to fit with the times. Starting with the projection mapping of Tokyo Station in 2012, the company has created unprecedented art and entertainment experiences by combining real space with virtual experiences. The current theme is ‘borderless creativity,’ and creating NFT art fits into this vision. NAKED FLOWERS, one of NAKED's signature events, has been held since the New Year 2016. The NAKED FLOWERS experience has now been converted into a piece of NFT art for the first time, and buyers can enjoy these cherry blossoms no matter their location!
Information
Sakura OUSAI NFT Art
Adam by GMO Premium Category NAKED, INC.:
https://adam.jp/stores/nakedinc
Official Site: https://naked.co.jp
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McDonald's Japan will start selling the new Sakura Mochi Pie starting March 23, 2022 for a limited time only. The new pie is inspired by sakura mochi, a traditional wagashi sweet popular during spring.
Sakura mochi is typically made from mochi rice cakes filled with a sweet red bean paste and wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf. The McDonald's pie is filled with azuki red bean paste and a chewy, sakura-flavored mochi that features bits of pickled sakura leaves. The packaging will also feature spring designs and each pie costs just ¥150. They will be available until mid-April. -
Flower Miffy, a flower shop inspired by the popular Dutch picture book Miffy, has begun selling a new series of cherry blossom-inspired items! A limited number of postcard sets are also being offered as purchase bonuses.
Flower Miffy Glass - Sakura Gradient Pink / Pearl: ¥1,595 (Tax Included)
Flower Miffy Sakura Plate: ¥2,090 (Tax Included)
Flower Miffy Mini Towel - Sakura Pink / Ivory: ¥770 each (Tax Included)
The series features original artwork, and fans of Miffy can get their hands on unique glassware, cherry blossom plates, and mini-towels.Those spending ¥3,300 (including tax) or more will receive a set of two limited edition postcards. The offer will end as soon as they’re gone! *Offer does not apply to flower arrangements. Illustrations Dick Bruna Ⓒ copyright Mercis bv,1953-2022 www.miffy.com Information
Cherry Blossom Series
Release Date: February 10, 2022
Where to Buy: Flower Miffy Shops Nationwide, Flower Miffy Online Shop
Official Site: https://benelic.com/flowermiffy/
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To celebrate the arrival of spring, Q-pot Cafe is introducing a cherry blossom-themed menu for a limited time!
Cherry Blossom Romantic Dress Cake Plate with Drink: ¥2,100 (Tax Included)
Enjoy this pink cherry blossom mousse and pure white whipped cream to celebrate the end of the gloomy winter season. Rich pistachio mousse, strawberry pulp, fragrant almonds, and fluffy genoise come together in a scrumptious melt-in-your-mouth explosion of flavor.Romantic Berry Blossom Tea: ¥850 (Tax Included) / Set Menu +¥200 (Tax Included)
A play on Q-pot Cafe’s popular Flower Garden tea, the Berry Blossom Tea has a rich cherry blossom aroma with raspberries and milk added.Romantic Berry Blossom Tea with Bottle: ¥1,296 (Tax Included)
Take-out drinks in patterned bottles are also available! By bringing the bottle with you, the Berry Blossom Tea will be discounted to ¥750 (tax included).Information
2022 Q-pot Cafe Seasonal Menu
Location: Q-pot Cafe Omotesando
Available: March 1 – April 14, 2022
Online Reservations Open
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Japanese aromatic raw chocolate brand MAISON CACAO is launching a new Kamakura-based brand called Shiki to Maison ("Four Seasons & Maison") which will feature chocolates that capture the events and culture found throughout the four seasons in Japan. The first entries to the series are cherry blossom chocolates which are available from March 26 to April 4, as well as cherry blossom drink which can be enjoyed on March 27 and 28.
Aroma Raw Chocolate SAKURA ¥2,200 / Cacao Vinegar Soda SAKURA ¥550 (Before Tax)
Aroma Raw Chocolate SAKURA
Indulge in a box of these luxury cherry blossom chocolates which are made with 100% cacao powder which have a refreshing white chocolate aftertaste. The chocolates are made with cherry blossom as well as a fresh cream laced with salt-pickled cherry blossom. They also include a paste made from liquid drawn from cherry blossom petals. It's a taste of Japanese spring with every bite.Cacao Vinegar Soda SAKURA
This springtime beverage includes a cacao vinegar made from cacao pulp and is coupled with fragrant cherry blossom. This one is available at the Komachi and Cacao Hanare branches as well as at CHOCOLATE BANK.Information
Shiki to Maison Sakura Sweets
Japanese Product Name: 四季とメゾン 桜スイーツ
Serving: March 26, 2021 – April 4, 2021
MAISON CACAO Official Website: https://onlineshop.maisoncacao.com/
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Spring has arrived at TREE by NAKED Yoyogi Park, a cafe run by NAKED that's located in Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo. On Monday, the cafe launched a seasonal menu which incorporates a variety of spring flowers like cherry blossoms, showy's baby breath from Kumamoto, keiou-zakura from Yamagata, and more. TREE by NAKED Yoyogi Park first opened in July 2017. It's an experience-based art restaurant where customers can enjoy Japan’s latest cutting edge technology and next-generation gastronomy. Its popularity has risen rapidly, earning itself a reputation for offering an experience that stimulates all five of the senses, as well as for its photogenic interior decor. With the pandemic restricting travel in Japan, people are unable to visit places far away across the country, and so the cafe is bringing a little bit of different places around Japan, namely their flowers, in collaboration with JA Kumamoto Uki and JA Yamagata. Kumamoto is the only place in Japan that grows show's baby breath. They are raised with the prefecture's rich water and soil to blossom beautiful white and pink. These flowers can not only be enjoyed at TREE by NAKED Yoyogi Park as decorations, but customers can actually buy a bouquet of them too. Thanks to the skills of producers, the flowers can be grown out of season over a long period running from December to April, allowing people to enjoy their gorgeous springtime hues even if it's not spring.
Açaí Lemonade - Eat In ¥825 / Takeout ¥810
Cherry Blossom & Strawberry Nicecream - Eat In ¥770 / Takeout ¥756
"Power & Healthly" are the concepts for the lunch and cafe-time menu which includes both food and drink. The cafe's popular homemade açaí lemonade has been turned into a springtime version with fresh cherry blossom petals. There's also a vegan-friendly ice cream made with banana, avocado, soy milk, and a blend of strawberry and cherry blossom. It has a slight salt tang to it.Vegan Cherry Blossom Latte - Eat In ¥770 / Takeout ¥756
Vegan Avocado & Sprout Sandwich - Eat In ¥1,100 / Takeout ¥1,080
The cafe's popular cherry blossom latte from last year returns with a soy milk base. There's also sandwiches, including a vegan one fried in coconut oil.Strawberry Mille-Feuille - Eat In ¥1,650
The cafe's strawberry mille-feuille is so popular that they have to make a limited batch each day. It's even been featured on Instagram. With the strawberry season here, customers can enjoy fresh whole strawberries topping their dessert. The cafe will also be running an evening cafe and bar experience with a range of desserts, food, and alcohol.Information
Spring Menu
Released: March 15, 2021
Where: TREE by NAKED Yoyogi Park
Address: 1-10-2 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 11:00-20:00 (EVENING CAFÉ & BAR TIME from 16:00) *Last orders at 19:00
Closed: Tuesdays/Wednesdays
TEL: 03-6804-9038
TREE by NAKED Yoyogi Park Official Website: https://tree.naked.works/yoyogi/