Latest news with #Hanami
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Last day last show: Hanami festival menu at Delhi's Guppy
This afternoon Guppy was dressed in the spring uniform of pink mirroring how Japan is right now—cool and crisp, full of freshness and floral energy. A few young couples, who seemed to be regulars were pouring over the Hanami festival menu while waiters buzzed around refilling glasses with refreshing shrub cocktails. The specially curated menu burst with fresh, vibrant flavours. While there was a lot on offer—from Cold Hiyashi Tantanmen, a chilled ramen served with sesame-flavored broth, spicy ground chicken, and fresh vegetables to Edamame & Exotic Mushroom Sumai, sushi lovers can dig into rolls like the Veggie Volcano, Sakura Vegetable, or indulgent Exotic Fish Volcano. For heartier appetites, there are dishes like the Sake Steamed Tilapia, and Grilled Lamb Chop, though would advise you go for the latter only if you have a strong stomach in this weather. Here's what I tried and liked. As a teetotaller, I tried the Fuzzy Panda mocktail, a concoction of pomegranate with lime tones, moving on to a Summer Greens, Avocado & Palm Heart Salad (leafy greens, plum, avocado, and heart of palm dressed in ume dressing) which was rather lovely except for the intrusion of the red lollorosa lettuce which had a slightly bitter taste. If you leave them aside and continue with the salad, the taste improves immediately. The other small plate I tried was Edamame & Exotic Mushroom Sumai Open, and the steamed dumplings with an array of mushrooms, mascarpone, and edamame paste was delicious. The exotic Fish Volcano Braised eel and cucumber roll (topped with salmon, tuna, avocado, and kabayaki spicy mayo) was a plump entry in the mouth and was simply superb. I had an issue with the portion size of the main dish. In the duck bowl (Kama Negi bowl) I sampled, there were just two pieces of duck with a big amount of rice and vegetables. It is priced at R1,700. 'The pricing is carefully considered based on the quality and cost of ingredients. The duck used in the Kama Negi Bowl is imported, and each portion contains approximately 230–240 grams of protein. Given these factors, the pricing reflects the ingredient quality and portion size,' explains Saurabh Sharan, head chef at Guppy.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Premium matcha stores in KL offer sakura-inspired creations of various sizes
The Hanami sharing platter. SPRING-themed Japanese desserts have been launched by a premium matcha brand. Presenting new offerings alongside customer favourites, Matcha Eight has unveiled its seasonal sakura menu. This year's highlight is the Hanami Platter that consists of sakura-themed ice-cream, mochi, jelly, tea and traditional warabi mochi. This is available as a sharing and single platter, priced at RM68+ and RM48+ respectively. The Hanami Bites Set. Crafted in partnership with master chef Takuji Takahashi, this exclusive menu offers authentic tastes. The Sakura Ice-Cream and Sakura Fizzy have made a return with a blend of spring blossom leaves. 'Sakura season holds a special place in our hearts. It is a time to appreciate nature's ephemeral beauty and create lasting memories,' said Matcha Eight founder Miho Kaneko. 'Through this menu, we want to bring the magic of spring to Malaysia, evoking the charm of Japanese hanami and the nostalgia of springtime memories.' What sets Matcha Eight apart is its use of natural ingredients, with zero artificial additives, preservatives, flavourings and stabilisers. Each dish is made with real spring blossom flowers sourced from Kochi prefecture, Japan. Besides the seasonal platter, Matcha Eight has also introduced the Hanami Bites Set (RM22++), which features a combo of one drink and one dessert of choice. Selections vary slightly depending on the outlet. The new menu is available in stores for a limited time. Matcha Eight's stores are located in The Exchange TRX (010-205 8732) and LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre (010-200 8732).
Hamilton Spectator
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Burlington's annual Sakura Festival celebrates cherry blossoms, twinning
Burlington's annual Sakura Festival celebrates the blooming of local cherry blossom trees and the 36th anniversary of the city's twinning with Itabashi, Japan. The festival is a free event hosted by the Burlington Mundialization Committee at Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, May 10 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sakuramai Toronto, shown here at a previous Burlington Sakura Festival, performs at this year's free event at Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Saturday's festival features a variety of cultural demonstrations and performances including: Cherry blossom trees are located at Spencer Smith Park for visitors to participate in the tradition of Hanami — the Japanese term for flower viewing. Called Sakura in Japan, the cherry blossom trees normally bloom from late April to early May. The trees were a gift from Itabashi's Kan Nakazawa, an honorary citizen of Burlington, marking the twinning's 20th anniversary in 2009. Visitors are asked not to climb on the trees, pull their branches or pluck their blooms as the trees might be damaged. More information on the history of the relationship between Itabashi and Burlington can be found in a publication from the 30 th anniversary celebration and on the city's website .
BBC News
18-04-2025
- BBC News
Newtownabbey: Cherry blossoms celebrated by NI Japanese community
Once a year a housing estate in County Antrim becomes a special place for the Japanese community in Northern Ireland as rows of cherry blossom trees burst into candy floss coloured trees are enjoyed by Merville Garden Village residents and visitors every spring with the streets almost painted in beautiful the blossoms are especially celebrated by members of the Japan Society of Northern Ireland as part of a traditional Japanese 'Hanami' (flower viewing) festival. Instead of the usual festival run by Merville House and the residents society, this year members from Japan Society NI's dance group celebrated in their own special way. Yukari Norris and Yoriko Marshall were wearing special pink, yellow and white patterned kimonos - the traditional Japanese summer dress for women - during their visit to see the it's all to honour the coming of their special 'sakura' - or cherry blossom - a central theme of life in their home country. In Japan, these beautiful trees represent the transience of life - here today and gone tomorrow. Cherry blossoms are also considered the national flower of and Yoriko celebrate their memories of Japan by visiting the cherry blossom trees at Merville Garden Village every year, to reflect, eat and even dance. "The cherry blossom is very important to Japanese people because it is a symbol of beauty or life being short - so you have to enjoy it," Yukari told BBC News NI."Every time there is a special occasion at home or we mark an entrance at school, we go to the cherry blossom for a photo under the tree. It takes you back to memories you have. "It reminds me of a lesson - life doesn't last forever so you have to enjoy the moment, like the trees." Since moving to Northern Ireland 24 years ago from Kyoto, Yukari meets friends from the Japan Society NI under the cherry blossom trees to have a party, picnic and to perform a traditional Japanese folk dance. "I started a dance group 15 years ago," she said. "I have been dancing since I was five and I wanted a way we could perform and celebrate together." Yukari's dance group is called the 'Hannari' club which means 'elegance' in her home place. Yoriko moved to Northern Ireland 17 years ago from Fukushima after meeting her husband who is from Northern Ireland."The cherry blossoms remind us of home," said Yoriko. "It makes me homesick."She even named her daughter Sakura to symbolise how much she loves the cherry trees and her home country. "We make our own cherry blossom viewing party because that's what we miss at home," she said."We dance anywhere, we just need music that's it." 'Instagrammable place' Merville resident Linda Dennis say they get plenty of "Asian visitors coming to see the trees"."Japanese people pose and hug the trees and we find it funny seeing it but we love it… if we see visitors coming to take a selfie we'll stop and help them and take a photo for them," she and his dog George have lived in Merville for four years, and he described it as a "very instagrammable place".Louisa Morrison seems to know everyone who walks past (and their dogs). She says living in Merville Gardens brings a "feel good factor"."On a day like today, the blue sky and the brightness of the pink," she adds. "It just warms your heart up. It just makes you feel good."We are just so lucky to live here." Merville Garden Village is a conservation area with strict rules and regulations. Flags, emblems and painting of curbs is forbidden and the houses are all painted the same shade of and Billy Stranney started off their married life living in Merville 47 years ago. After 20 years away, they moved back to retire here ten years says Merville is a "special place"."These transient and beautiful trees are something to look forward to at this time of year," she reckons the cherry blossoms are at least 60 to 70 years old, possibly planted before Merville Gardens Village was built in 1949."There has been a cherry blossom festival here the last few years but not this year because of lack of volunteers and funding. It just got too big." When is the best time to see the trees? Northern Ireland's sakura or 'pink confetti' usually bloom between March and early flowers only bloom for a relatively short time. Who planted the trees? Claire Crawford from Merville House, the Georgian 18th Century manor house that sits within the grounds of Merville Garden Village, said the Ulster Garden Villages are to thank for planting the trees. She said that rumour has it, the trees were supposed to be planted between Merville Gardens and the Abbey Georgian house in Whiteabbey but Merville House managed to get the lot.
Listly
17-04-2025
- Listly
Five Unforgettable Experiences in Kyoto with Kids: A Family Adventure Guide – Explore, Admire, and Make Memories
Another beautiful park your kids are going to love, Maruyama Park occupies a stunning spot on the edge of the Gion District. The park doesn't feature a playground, but there's plenty of space for kids to run around, kick a ball, or blow bubbles. In the middle of the park is a pond with carp, which your kids will love to see. Visit in early April to witness the park transform with the white and pink shades of cherry blossoms, although there will be quite a crowd during that time. If you visit during the Hanami season, however, you're in for an absolutely remarkable visual feast.
