Sakura Festival: 'Zuikain Ryomon' Indoor Cherry Blossom Viewing Event, Produced by Florist Masaru Akai

EVENT | Sakura Festival Hosted by 'Zuikain Ryomon'

Hiroo's 'Zuikain Ryomon' Lobby Adorned with Cherry Blossoms

For the fourth consecutive year, 'Zuikain Ryomon Sakura Festival' will be held at Zuikain Ryomon for five days, from Wednesday, March 6, 2024, to Sunday, March 10. This year, the event has been renewed with vendor booths and activities, transforming it into a festival-like experience unlike previous years.

Text by WASEDA Kosaku (OPENERS)

A Festival-Like Event Packed with Vendor Booths and Programs

Just a 3-minute walk from Hiroo Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Near the Nishi Kōji Elementary School intersection, a building with a solemn yet sophisticated appearance catches the eye.

Sakura Festival Hosted by 'Zuikain Ryomon', an Indoor Cherry Blossom Viewing Event Produced by Florist Masaru Akai | EVENT

'Zuikain Ryomon' is an urban columbarium, establishing a burial site within the city rather than in the suburbs. The reason for creating a cemetery in a city center is to reduce the physical and psychological distance to ancestors and loved ones by placing it in an easily accessible location, thereby creating more opportunities to connect with them. The private rooms allow for serene and unhurried visits.

Until Sunday, March 10, Zuikain Ryomon is hosting a Sakura Festival produced by the world-renowned florist, Masaru Akai.

This is the fourth time this event has been held. It began with the desire to offer a moment of peace with loved ones, especially during a time when people were encouraged to refrain from going out due to the pandemic. While previous years focused on appreciating over a dozen types of cherry blossoms gathered from across the country, this year's event has been transformed into a festive gathering with the addition of numerous vendor booths.

On March 6, the day of our visit, the atmosphere was consistently serene, marked by a floral performance show by florist Masaru Akai and a chorus performance by the wives of ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary from various countries.

The wives, dressed in pink reminiscent of cherry blossoms, delivered their songs. As their beautiful voices filled the space, Akai's delicate yet bold floral arrangements captivated the audience instantly.

Seven types of cherry blossoms, including the familiar Yoshino cherry, adorn the venue. The combination of these blossoms with the elegantly designed lobby makes one forget they are in the heart of the city.

Furthermore, vendor booths offering tastings and sales from Poru Boron of Shodoshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, and Daishinshu Sake Brewery, added to the festive atmosphere.

In addition to specialty product booths, there are numerous programs to enjoy while viewing the cherry blossoms, including a string quartet performance by students who represent the future of the music world, and a harp performance by Keisuke Teramoto, a harpist and craftsman. Anyone, from children to adults, regardless of religious affiliation, is welcome to participate. We encourage you to visit.

Masaru Akai
Born in Osaka in 1965. A master florist (Kajin). Visiting Professor at Otemon Gakuin University. His original works, including an object created for the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Osaka and the "Hall of Pope Paul VI," a bouquet presented to Pope Benedict XVI, and floral offerings for the Ise Jingu Shrine's Shikinen Sengu ceremony, are highly acclaimed.

Zuikain Ryomon Sakura Festival
Event Period | Wednesday, March 6 - Sunday, March 10, 2024
Hours | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last admission 5:30 PM)
Location | Zuikain Ryomon, 5-1-4 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Admission | No advance reservation required, free viewing
Programs:
1. Floral Performance Show by Florist Masaru Akai (Around 11:30 AM on Wednesday, March 6)
2. Chorus Performance by Wives of Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (Around 11:30 AM on Wednesday, March 6; *Collaborative performance with Masaru Akai*)
3. Poru Boron (Shodoshima Island, Seto Inland Sea) Sales Booth (March 7 (Thu) - March 10 (Sun), approx. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
4. Daishinshu Sake Brewery Tasting and Sales Booth (March 6 (Wed) - March 10 (Sun), approx. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
5. Harp Performance by Keisuke Teramoto, Harpist/Craftsman (March 8 (Fri), 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
6. Incense Sales by Incense Master Shoyeido & "Kun Kun Kun" Incense Card Game Experience (March 9 (Sat), approx. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
7. String Quartet Performance by Students of Music's Future / Woodwind Performance by Ensemble Rosier (March 9 (Sat), March 10 (Sun), 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM (2 performances each day))
8. Yamagata Prefecture Kahoku Town Marche (March 9 (Sat), March 10 (Sun), approx. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
9. Gallery Exhibition and Gallery Talk by Japanese Painter Tomoko Nakai (February 24 (Sat) - March 16 (Sat), 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM / Gallery Talk: March 8 (Fri), 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
10. Activities such as goldfish scooping, lucky draws, toy scooping games, and a photo spot are scheduled to be available throughout the event, ensuring enjoyment for everyone.
*Please note that the dates for each event vary.
*Dates and times are subject to change. Thank you for your understanding.

Inquiries

Zuikain Ryomon
https://ryomon.jp