Sakura blossom holds a ubiquitous cultural presence in Japan appearing in a truly diverse array of media, but also dotted around in daily life - even present in your wallet right now on the 100 yen coin. Beautiful as sakura undoubtedly is, it is so much more than a flower, representative as it is of the passing of time and a fresh start to the year, hence why most Japanese schools and public buildings plant the tree outside their premises so that the start of term and fiscal year is ushered in amidst a flourish of blossom. For Nihombashi Mitsukoshi it is a special time for the store, and for Nihombashi itself, with the area being a destination for sakura viewings well into Edo-era Japan right to the present day.
The festivities span every floor and every department with no-one wanting to miss out on expressing what the sakura season means to them. Starting in the Central hall of Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store we have invited in 4 local schools across 4 days starting on the 26th of March for an ebullient live performance of shodo calligraphy that captures the youthful energy at the start of the new term. Performances start at 12:30 and 14:30 each day, with the best views being had from the upper floors looking down on the action.
Elsewhere, the Arts department invites you to the 71st Spring Inten exhibition from the 30th of March through to the 11th of April, where more experienced hands explore the field of nihonga, Japanese painting, gathering together over 300 works from the leading figures of the nihonga world and is without a doubt the definitive chance to see so many remarkable talents in one place. Inten is brought to Nihombashi Mitsukoshi by the Nihon Bijutsuin, the academy of nihonga since 1898, who select master painters as well as relative newcomers from their ranks. With many of the works chosen exploring the season at hand, this is the perfect way to set the scene for a memorable sakura viewing.
Those wanting to view the blossom in a traditional manner befitting of a custom that the Nihon Shoki records as being held as early as the third century AD should head to the 4th floor Kimono section from the 19th to 21st of March, where our staff will be delighted to help you complete your Kimono coordination appropriate to the season, with a professional photographer on hand to record the moment. Participating restaurants in store will also be giving free drinks to kimono-clad customers, but all are catered for with many of the fashion brands in store bringing out sakura inspired items perfect for a Nihombashi hanami flower viewing. Be sure to look out for Tokyo Fashion Week's Keita Maruyama's exquisite embroidery, and more formal items from Genie Soir who has arranged a series of classic party dresses in a silk and Japanese washi paper weave.
Once dressed you can plan your sakura viewing picnic with the food hall who has prepared a series of namagashi traditional sweets to complement the season, including sakuramochi, which as the name suggests is a mainstay of the season, and is served wrapped in a leaf from the cherry blossom tree itself. Even the confectioners from abroad have got in on the action, with French sablé biscuits rendered in the shape of fallen blossom, and even sakura-themed chocolates for you to enjoy under the trees.
With the stage set it is time to venture out into Nihombashi, and this season we have prepared a special mobile site and maps for you to access on your smartphone that not only directs you to the best blossom viewing areas, but also local food and traditional shopping. Even if this is your first hanami, there are guides to customs that should be observed and tips to ensure that this definitely won't be your last.
Edo Sakura Matsuri
Date
March 16 - April 5, 2016
Location
Throughout Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store and Annex