The Gotenyama Cherry Blossom Festival 2023 will be held from March 27 to April 2 at Gotenyama Trust City (4-7-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo) in Kita-Shinagawa, Tokyo, and from March 20 to April 9 from 17:00 to 23:00, the cherry blossoms will be lit up at night. We asked Mr. Takuma Arai of the Public Relations Department of Mori Trust, the organizer of the event, about the highlights of the festival.
–What kind of event is it?
Arai: Gotenyama has been a favorite hanami viewing spot since the Edo period (1603-1867), as depicted in “Fugaku Sanjurokkei” by Katsushika Hokusai and “Edo Hyakkei” by Utagawa Hiroshige. It is also an area rich in history, retaining the atmosphere of the glamorous Edo culture, where falconry and tea ceremonies for the shogun were held. The Gotenyama Cherry Blossom Festival is an event that conveys a sense of place, culture, and image based on this historical background.
–What are some of the features that you have that others don’t?
Arai: We will create a fantastic atmosphere in the form of nighttime cherry blossom lights and a cherry blossom haze in the garden, so that visitors can enjoy the Gotenyama Sakura Festival both day and night. In addition, we have prepared contents that can be enjoyed along with cherry blossom viewing, such as kitchen cars, distribution of Japanese sweets by go-hatsu (treat) fortune-telling, hanami sake and hanami tea, and workshops.
–What do you personally recommend for enjoyment?
Arai: You can enjoy cherry blossom viewing with a piece of Japanese confectionery distributed at the Gotenyama Festival, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in the Edo period, while experiencing the history and culture of Gotenyama. We hope that you will share your pictures of the beautiful scenery of Gotenyama and let many people enjoy the cherry blossoms in Gotenyama.
–What would you like to say to our readers?
Arai: Gotenyama was famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot in the Edo period. To live up to its name, we have prepared contents that will make hanami even more enjoyable. We will be happy if participants can learn more about the charms of Gotenyama through the Gotenyama Cherry Blossom Festival event. We look forward to seeing you there.
–Thank you very much.
© Source travel watch