As winter comes to an end, here’s the perfect activity to welcome warmer days: the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival. Hanami, or ‘flower viewing’, is a Japanese tradition you won’t have to hop on a plane to experience.
Head to the Auburn Botanic Gardens for the nine-day festival, where you can admire the explosion of lush, pink blooms.
The Western Sydney precinct draws massive crowds every year for this celebration of flowers, food and Japanese culture. Each day of the festival offers a different assortment of entertainment and events; here are some of the highlights.
Start off with a walk along the Cherry Trail to view the main event: the gorgeous cherry blossoms. You won’t be able to resist snapping endless photos as you meander your way across picturesque stepping stones and ornate bridges.
If you’re feeling peckish after strolling around the gardens, you’re in luck: there’s food galore. Food trucks are serving a range of traditional Japanese eats, fusion food and international treats, many created exclusively for the event. You’ll find celebrity chef Adam Liaw dishing up a limited-edition Cherry Blossom Festival Bento Box.
Other tasty nibbles include Buddhalicious Burger’s wasabi burger, Sacred Seed Food Co.’s Japanese/Greek fusion dishes and Bar-B-Skew’s indulgent Sakura Leche Flan cupcakes.
Sakeshop will be slinging sake, Japanese craft beer and plum wine at their Izakaya Bar popup. Don’t miss their special Hanamikura Aya sake, made with a yeast cultivated from cherry blossom. Enjoy live music with your brew – Japanese rock ‘n’ roll artists will be playing an eclectic mix of blues tunes accompanied by traditional instruments.
If you’re looking to rest and unwind, join a forest bathing session. No, this doesn’t require taking any clothes off – shinrin-yoku is a type of therapy that simply involves spending some relaxation time in a forest. It’s been proven to have a plethora of science-backed benefits, including reducing blood pressure, boosting the immune system and relieving stress.
Afterwards, keep the good vibes going in the Zen Zone, where you’ll be treated to meditation sessions, origami workshops and peaceful music performed on a koto (a traditional Japanese instrument).
Meanwhile, the Hello Kitty Pop Up party will keep kids entertained; the beloved cartoon character offers face painting, hairbrush decorating and cat-themed goodies. Gudetama, another popular character, hosts a Lazy Cinema where guests can watch cartoons about the lazy egg while lounging on bean bags. Or drop by the amphitheatre for a riveting game of laser tag set to classic anime soundtracks.
The 20th of August is Garden Day, with special guest Costa Georgiadis. The host of ABC’s Gardening Australia will talk all things green. You’ll also be able to browse the special Garden Day Market Place selling products for green thumbs and nature lovers.
Those with an interest in culture will love Let’s Japan on the 23rd. This educational day hosted by the Japan Foundation is dedicated to all things Japanese.
Enjoy a theatre presentation, educational films, anime, language classes and taiko (drum) performances. You’ll also get the chance to don a yukata – a beautiful Japanese robe.
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17-25 August 2019
Auburn Botanic Gardens
Cnr Chisholm & Chiswick Rds, Auburn NSW 2144
Purchase online tickets here.
By Jennifer Luu