Celebrate the arrival of spring at Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi. The centrepiece of this annual event is the 200m cherry-blossom-lined avenue at the Garden Area of Tokyo Midtown. It’s especially magical after 5pm when the trees are all lit up.
One of the best ways to enjoy the sakura here is at The Singleton Blossom Lounge. You can grab a drink or a bite at this outdoor venue while admiring the cherry blossoms and other spring blooms such as white daisies, windflowers and lavender.
On the menu you’ll find exclusive spring-inspired cocktails and dishes prepared by chefs from the Ritz-Carlton hotel nearby. The Singleton whisky cocktail is enhanced with cherry blossoms, making it the perfect spring beverage (iced or hot, ¥1,000 each; mocktail ¥800). Food-wise there are panini with meat and cheese filling (¥1,200), butter-chicken and kidney-bean curry (¥1,800), basil seafood pasta (¥1,500), and more.
As for desserts, options range from tiramisu with coffee jelly (¥1,200) and cheesecake with fruit topping (¥800) to chocolate-mousse cubes (¥750) and framboise donuts (¥650).
To make the most of your hanami experience, book one of the two dome tents, complete with comfy sofas. Reservations for 90-minute sessions have to be made on site and it’s ¥7,000 per group. It includes two drinks of your choice plus a charcuterie plate, truffle-flavoured popcorn, and three of the above mentioned desserts.
The lounge is open daily from 12noon to 8pm (last entry 7.30pm) from Sunday through Thursday, and until 9pm (last entry 8.30pm) on Friday and Saturday as well as days when the sakura are in full bloom.
While you’re there, check out the first floor of Tokyo Midtown Galleria for more spring flower displays. These impressive exhibits are made by flower artists Takayuki Fukazawa and Naoki Mitarai.