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!

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

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). 

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.

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.

PEANUTS Cafe Nakameguro is now serving up two new cherry blossom beverages for the spring season: the Sakura Lemonade and Sakura Charred Marshmallow Latte, both of which are now available to order until April 11.

Sakura Charred Marshmallow Latte ¥700 (Before Tax) / Sakura Lemonade ¥650 (Before Tax)

PEANUTS Cafe Nakameguro serves limited-time drinks every cherry blossom season in Japan, and this year is no different. Both beverages capture the cute pink tones of the country’s national flower which invite feelings of springtime walks and Hanami flower viewing.

(C) 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

The Kirby Café branches in Tokyo and Hakata rolled out their Spring 2021 menu on Friday which is set to run until June 6. Themed on a springtime picnic, the line-up includes three items: six siz different temari-zushi servings, cherry blossom mochi, and a cherry blossom latte, all inspired by the Kirby video game series.

The Menu

Cherry Blossom Temari-zushi: Eat In ¥2,178 / Takeout ¥2,138

A serving of six sushi rolls perfect for a spring picnic. Each roll features designs that will be instantly-recognisable to Kirby fans.

Souvenir – Lunchbox (4 Designs)

Kirby’s Spring Search | ¥1,078 (Tax Included)

Kirby is playing hide and seek under the cherry blossom tree in this cute dish which is adorned with shiny coloured candy.

Cherry Blossom Latte | ¥968 (Tax Included)

A light pink-coloured cherry blossom latte with a touch of salt. Mix everything together for a tasty sipping experience.

Japanese luxury loungewear brand gelato pique is readying itself for spring with its new pink cherry blossom-inspired ‘SAKURA COLLECTION,’ set to release at gelato pique stores and its online store on March 19.

The Line-Up

‘Smoothie Light’ Scallop Cardigan ¥6,820 (Tax Included) / ‘Smoothie Light’ Scallop Long Cardigan ¥7,480 (Tax Included)’

The ‘Smoothie’ cardigans are made of light material that’s smooth to the touch and come in cute designs.

Petal Motif Satin Shirt ¥6,820 (Tax Included) / Petal Motif Satin Short Pants ¥4,620 (Tax Included)

Pink satin loungewear adorned with gorgeous petals.

Tiered Dress ¥8,140 (Tax Included)

An airy cotton dress with a beautiful feminine silhouette.

Organdy Eco Bag ¥2,640 (Tax Included) / Mask Pouch ¥2,420 (Tax Included) / Mesh Mini Pouch ¥2,640 (Tax Included) / Mesh Pouch ¥2,640 (Tax Included) / Mesh Vanity Pouch ¥3,520 (Tax Included)

Sort your cosmetics and bits ‘n’ bobs with this heart-filled collection of pouches, and store your face mask away safely with the mask pouch.

Hair Mist ¥1,870 (Tax Included) / Hand Soap ¥1,034 (Tax Included)

gelato pique’s popular hair mist and hand soap arrive in spring season limited-edition packaging.

Famous Japanese baumkuchen confectionery brand Nenrinya is set to appear at the upcoming baumkuchen exhibition that will take place at SOGO Hiroshima from March 18 to 23.

Nenrinya is a Ginza-based baumkuchen brand known for its iconic white noren entry curtain. Its high quality cakes are loved by the people of Tokyo, and now, the people of Hiroshima will get to tuck into their delights. The brand are serving their signature Mount Baum Firm Sprout, Straight Baum Soft Sprout, and their famous spring season Cherry Blossom Country Mount Baum.

Mount Baum Firm Sprout – Single Bag ¥756 / Whole ¥1,080

Nenrinya’s Mount Baum Firm Sprout is a butter-filled delight that’s crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This cake is baked over a long period of time to elevate its delicious flavour.

Straight Baum Soft Sprout – ¥1,080

This softer version has been described as a ‘castella-like baumkuchen.’ It’s a juicy cake made with lots of eggs.

Cherry Blossom Country Mount Baum – Slice ¥756

Each and every layer of this cherry blossom flavoured baumkuchen is carefully cooked to perfection. Its fragrance and colour is reminiscent of the Japanese cherry blossoms season and Hanami.

Japanese art collective teamLab launched their new Sakura Bombing Home experience on March 10 which lets people enjoy Japanese cherry blossoms from the comfort of their own home using digital devices. The service is running until April 30, 2021.

Sakura Bombing Home

How to Participate

Firstly, download drawing paper at teamLab’s official website. There are numerous cherry blossom designs to choose from and colour in either on your smartphone or by printing and colouring by hand.

Next, upload your completed cherry blossom illustration.

Your submitted cherry blossom art and other people’s from around the world will be compiled into a single art piece to be showcased on YouTube Live.

Finally, you can download your flower art after submission. This is a great opportunity to enjoy Japanese cherry blossom without being in Japan, as well as to stay safe during the spring season if you are in Japan.

teamLab is represented by Pace Gallery, Martin Browne Contemporary and Ikkan Art International.

Mister Donut Japan released a tasty collection of limited-edition doughnuts in collaboration with Japan’s famous tea shop Gion Tsujiri on Friday (March 12).

Sakura Mochi Doughnut With Cherry Blossom Bean Paste

Sakura Mochi Doughnut With Uji Matcha Chocolate

Sakura Mochi Doughnut With Uji Matcha Whipped Cream

Warabimochi With Cherry Blossom Bean Paste & Uji Matcha Whipped Cream

Warabimochi With Uji Matcha Whipped Cream

The doughnuts are a springtime mix and match of cherry blossom and matcha, the latter of which comes from Gion Tsujiri who have chosen the first picks of Uji matcha leaves for the collaboration. Pick between classic doughnuts as well as warabimochi-style ones glazed with lots of sweet treats.