Cherry blossom display returns to Gardens by the Bay with Pikachu

SINGAPORE – Visitors to Gardens by the Bay can now indulge in a taste of Japan as the ever-popular cherry blossoms are back in bloom.

The cherry blossom-headed Pikachu from Japan will appear in Flower Dome for the first time. The display is also said to be inspired by the theme of train travel, as it evokes scenic train travel to iconic Japanese sites such as Mount Fuji.

On Wednesday (March 15), Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, Japanese Ambassador to Singapore Hiroshi Ishikawa and Gardens by the Bay (GBTB) CEO Felix Loh jointly inaugurated the exhibition.

Visitors can experience Japanese culture

After being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for the past few years, the floral display will be back to glory this time around.

As part of the exhibits, there will be torii gates from Japan, a toy train that circles a miniature Mount Fuji, and a range of Pokémon figures such as Bulbasaur, Charmander and Pikachu.

Visitors can also take part in a variety of public events for the first time since the pandemic, including a meet and greet with Sakura Afro Pikachu this weekend (March 18-19). Other highlights include traditional tea ceremony demonstrations, music and folk dance performances, and Japanese flower arrangement workshops.

Marziah Omar, GBTB’s Senior Assistant Director of Conservatory Operations, told yahoo news singapore Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the global supply of cherry blossom trees.

She revealed that during the pandemic, her group was tempted to cancel the show, but many people persuaded them to go ahead. This year marks their eighth consecutive year of bringing cherry blossoms to Singapore, and it is the only non-stop flower display at Gardens by the Bay so far.

Set cherry blossom display

The exhibition will feature six types of cherry blossoms suitable for Singapore’s climate, such as Kiku-Shidare-Zakura, or Japanese weeping cherry tree.

story continues

Marziah said: “Even if you go to Japan, all the cherry blossoms don’t bloom at the same time. Some bloom early and some bloom late. Even from south to north, there are differences in temperature, and even various cherry blossoms.”

She was inspired to conceive the exhibition after watching a Japanese travel documentary last year, and set about arranging the exhibits when she received exhibition materials in February.

Her team had to wait until after get off work after 9pm to plant the various cherry blossoms. There are several other factors that must be considered when setting up a display, such as scheduling, maintenance and logistical issues such as the need for machinery such as forklifts.

GBTB chief executive Loh believes in the importance of cherry blossoms, saying their fleeting beauty is the essence of a cherry blossom display.

“This fleeting moment of vulnerability reminds everyone to slow down, be aware of our surroundings … and cherish every moment and those around us,” he said at a launch event at Gardens by the Bay.

Ishikawa, the Japanese ambassador to Singapore, said he hopes tourists can sincerely imagine that they are in Japan and encourages them to visit Japan again to experience cherry blossoms.

The exhibition runs until April 9th, from 9am to 9pm. For Singapore residents, admission to Flower Dome is US$8 per child and US$12 per adult.

Do you have a story tip? e-mail: sg*********@ya******.com.

You can also follow us Facebook, instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter. Also see our Southeast Asia, foodand gamble Channel on YouTube.