Gardens by the Bay dazzled visitors at its Flower Dome with its 11th edition of Sakura that was held from mid-March for a month. Each edition of Sakura spotlights a region of Japan, celebrating its landscapes, traditions and cultural heritage. This year, as Singapore and Japan mark 60 years of diplomatic relations, the spotlight was on Ishikawa Prefecture which is located on the central coast of Japan’s main island Honshu.
Visitors to Flower Dome were able to stroll through a recreation of old Japanese streets once walked by samurai and visit teahouses where geisha once gathered. Set against a breathtaking backdrop of cherry blossoms in delicate shades of soft pink and white, the floral display recreates the nostalgic landscapes of Ishikawa Prefecture, much to any Instagrammer’s delight.
Cherry blossom highlights
On display were 40 varieties of cherry blossoms, showcasing a range of silhouettes that brought vibrant bursts of colour to the display that showed off dense clusters of soft pink double-petalled blooms, delicate blossoms that soften from pale pink to near white at full bloom. delicate pink pom-poms, cascading weeping branches and ornamental flowering peach commonly seen in Japanese spring landscapes.
Hello Kitty and friends make an appearance
Adding a touch of whimsy to the display, familiar Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty, the global ambassador of friendship and her faithful companions, My Melody, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll and Kuromi can be spotted among the blossoms in the display.
Experiencing Ishikawa in Bloom
Ishikawa Prefecture is home to the historic city of Kanazawa, known for its preserved samurai districts, geisha quarters and traditional crafts.
Against the backdrop of the pink and white blossoms, the centrepiece of the floral display is a recreation of the two-storey Nomura residence, modelled after the former home of a samurai. The house featured an engawa, or veranda, overlooking a serene courtyard garden — a space traditionally used to enjoy the outdoors from within the home.
A rain feature inspired by Kanazawa’s famously wet climate, allowing visitors to experience cherry blossoms framed by a gentle curtain of rain which was very soothing to the ear. A bridge overlooking a tranquil body of water and framed by cascading blossoms and stone lanterns, which created an idyllic and serene setting for photos.
Traditional arts associated with Ishikawa were also showcased within the residence, including gold leaf craftsmanship, lacquerware and porcelain. A colourful walkway of columns, adorned with different kimono patterns, was also on display.
Sakura is the first in a series of three floral exhibitions at Gardens by the Bay. This was followed by Tulipmania which I will feature in my next article. Blue Beauties will showcase Turkiye’s cultural attractions such as replicas of Topkapi Palace, Iznik tiles and Maiden’s Tower amid floral displays and will take place from 26 May to 21 June 2026.
