Spring is in the air, quite literally so at Gardens by the Bay this March and April, when the Sakura Festival returns for its 9th run. If you missed it last year, this year’s cherry blossoms in the Flower Dome will run for almost an entire month, from now to 21st April.
You’ll be whisked from Singapore to Kyoto in a heartbeat at this sakura festival. This year’s display sees the installation of the famed Golden Pavilion right here in the Flower Dome.
The Golden Pavilion installation by day and night.
Image adapted from: Gardens by the Bay
This UNESCO World Heritage site, also known as Kinkaku-ji, is such a wonder because of the gold leaf that covers its top 2 levels. In Kyoto, it’s set behind a Mirror Pond, at the foot of Kinugasa Hill, so you can imagine what a magnificent sight it must make.
Image credit:@ rokuonji_kinkakuji.official via Instagram
Hanami by day, yozakura by night━hanami being the tradition of sakura viewing, whilst yozakura is the combination of 2 words: 夜 (yo) 桜 (sakura), or quite literally, night sakura.
Image credit: Gardens by the Bay
This year’s cherry blossom trees will be illuminated when night falls, with whimsical light projections on the ground, creating a magical experience for viewers. There are more than 140 trees at this year’s festival, spanning over 40 varieties of cherry blossoms, including a new European species.
Image credit: @yuya_4411 via Instagram
Live your most zen life with some tea appreciation, or Chado, at the sakura festival. Happening at the South American Garden in the Flower Dome, chado reads “the way of tea”, and sessions will be held across the weekend of 30th-31st March.
They’ll run in half-hourly sessions between 10.30am and 2.45pm. Find out more at the Gardens by the Bay website.
Calling all anime fans: it’s time to put on your コスプレ (kosupure) this Good Friday weekend. Running for just 2 days, from 30th to 31st March, is Sakura: Anime Garden 2024, held between 3.30pm-10pm in the Flower Dome and Supertree Grove. This is the festival’s first run since Covid-19, and promises a line-up of Japanese artistes, as well as F&B stalls.
Image credit: Gardens by the Bay
Expect to meet superstar cosplayers like BaoBao, Thames Malerose, Mikki and Xiaoyukiko during the 2-day event. If you’re game, there’s even a cosplay competition for individuals; to enter, register for Anime Garden 2024 before 18th March.
Also running on Good Friday weekend, 30th-31st March, are Ring of Cherry Blossoms by Happy Hands Can workshops, where you’ll get the opportunity to make your own sakura ring.
Image credit: Gardens by the Bay
Commemorate your visit to the sakura festival by walking home with a cherry blossom ring that you’ll get to craft yourself. The workshop is priced at $15 per participant; you can only sign up on-site, and it’s on a first-come, first-served basis.
Don’t fret too much about time: the workshop is only 15 minutes long, and it’s child-friendly too.
22nd March is still some time away, so it’s time to jio your sakura buddies and book those admission tickets to the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay. We’re not sure what blossoms they’re bringing in this season, but here’s a handy dandy guide to the types of sakura you might spot.
If you’re headed to Japan for sakura season:
Cover image adapted from: Gardens by the Bay
This post was originally published on 5th March 2024. Last updated on 25th March 2024.
Admission (Singaporean and PR): $12/adult | $8/senior | $8/child for Flower Dome only
Admission (Standard): $32/adult | $18/child for Cloud Forest & Flower Dome
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