"MIDTOWN BLOSSOM 2017," an event to celebrate the arrival of spring, will be held at Tokyo Midtown from March 17th to April 16th. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event. In 2017, a variety of events will be held under the theme of "Spring Hospitality." In Midtown Garden, overlooking the approximately 200-meter-long row of cherry blossom trees, a limited-time outdoor lounge called "MARTINI Blossom Lounge" will open, where you can enjoy carefully prepared food, sweets, and drinks created by Chef Frankelly Laroom of The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. In addition to alcoholic beverages like cherry blossom-colored rosé sparkling wine, the "Aperitivo" menu offers a choice of 12 dishes, including cold options like smoked duck breast salad and chilled soup, and hot options like crispy chicken. Other options include the party-style "Blossom Basket" (¥6,800 for eight dishes, including a bottle), and the original "Cherry Blossom and Strawberry Mousse with Azuki Bean Cream" (¥680), decorated with a sweet and sour cherry blossom-colored mousse. On March 30th, the "Sakura Inheritance Project," which aims to preserve saplings grown from existing cherry trees, will host a public tree-planting event. Participants can write messages for the future on "recyclable paper" and bury them alongside the saplings. They can also receive a white gerbera daisy (the first 300 people to arrive), and classical music will be performed. A tree shower will be displayed throughout the museum, showcasing vibrant floral art that evokes the beautiful Japanese spring. The exhibit will feature elegant works by two internationally renowned flower artists, as well as a 4-meter-tall bamboo gate. Additionally, a street museum will be held on the Plaza's basement floor, organized by the Tokyo Midtown Award, a design and art competition aimed at discovering and supporting young artists. Six 2016 competition winners will be showcasing their latest installations, sculptures, paintings, and other works created specifically for this exhibition. The outdoor lawn plaza will also feature a monument of Mount Fuji, Japan's world-famous symbol, under the theme "JAPAN, THE BEAUTIFUL." The exhibit was created by plant hunter Seijun Nishihata, and features Rhizomatiks Architecture, which will use the latest technology, and NAKED, which will provide innovative projection mapping. The exhibit will run until May 28th. Furthermore, the cherry blossoms will be illuminated during the event. Before the cherry blossoms bloom, the trees are illuminated with pink lights, and after they bloom, they are lit with white lights, creating a fantastical night view of the cherry blossoms. Why not go out with your family, partner, or friends and feel the arrival of the beautiful spring?
