The ninth annual edition of Garden’s By The Bay Singapore’s Sakura Floral Display will now introduce for the first time a transition from day-to-night experience. The Sakura Festival 2024 runs from Friday 22nd March 2024 to Sunday 21st April 2024 daily from 9AM – 9PM. Bringing the natural beauty of Kyoto’s sakura season to Gardens By The Bay, the event will transition this year into a night-time experience reminiscent of yozakura in Japanese cities.
At the centre spotlight of this year’s floral display is Kyoto’s iconic Kinkakuji Temple (pictured below) where visitors to the gardens can immerse themselves and imagine they are stepping into the actual temple which has attained UNESCO World Heritage status. Also part of the exhibit this year will be miniature traditional thatched houses from Miyama Village known for it’s peaceful and old-world charm. There are also elements of Japanese gardens all around. These gardens are meant to emulate the engawa, a contemplative veranda found in traditional Japanese homes. Look out for other garden elements like the chozuya, a large basin with wooden dippers where one would purify themselves before entering sacred shines, and the ema, small wooden plaques hung up at shrines or temples for people to write their prayers or wishes on.
You can even spot some of the more popular ones such as Prunus Accolade, clusters of pink blooms, Prunus Kiku Shidare with it’s distinctive weeping form, and Prunus Pendula Rubra, taking the shape of an umbrella form and bears deep pink to red flowers. In addition to this, visitors can also expect to see a new variety of the European plum blossom species, Prunus domestica, which can be recognised by its white to pale pink flowers.
When light turns to night, get ready to be dazzled by the cherry blossom tree light up. The Flower Dome transitions into ‘yozakura’, where soft light accents cast a glow on the blossom trees, reminiscing that of many cities in Japan during sakura season. You will also see paper cranes surrounding the entrance of the Flower Dome become illuminated by LED lights, and the ground will be projected turning the pathway into a koi-filled stream where fallen sakura petals lay.
All Photos Taken By Ethan Wang.
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Japanese Cultural Fringe Programs
We were invited to the media launch where we watched an array of Japanese cultural programs such as aikido demonstrations, matcha tea-making ceremony and traditional mochi making. There was also cultural Japanese Hibiki drum and dance performance.
Ongoing Cultural Programs:
Japanese Tea Ceremony – This traditional Japanese cultural activity, also known as Chanoyu or Chado, involves the ceremonial preparation and serving of matcha and a Japanese sweet.
Date: Saturday 30th March, Sunday 31st March 2024, Saturday 6th April, and Sunday 7th April 2024.
Times:
11:00am – 11:45am
12:00pm – 12:45pm
1:00pm – 1:45pm
2:00pm – 2:45pm
Stand A Chance To Win A Pair of Economy Class Tickets with ANA
Visitors to the Sakura Floral Display stand a chance to win a pair of economy class tickets to any city in Japan that will be sponsored by official airline partner All Nippon Airways.
Simply scan the contest QR code below or at the Sakura floral display to answer a question and stand a chance to win!
Terms and Conditions:
- Contest Period: 22 March to 21 April 2024
- The lucky draw is open to residents, 18 years old and above
- Only one entry per registered ANA member is allowed. Repeated entires will not be considered.
- For more information, visit: www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/sakura.
