As Japan’s favourite season rolls around, everyone is looking forward to seeing the spring cherry blossom in full bloom. After waiting all year for the flowery fun to start, it’s only natural that people want to immortalise the fleeting season in photo form.

But it seems some people go too far and would do anything for that perfect sakura shot. Even going as far as breaking off branches for their selfies…

If you don’t want to anger locals with questionable actions such as this, a place you’re guaranteed to get a winning pic is the Sakura Chill Bar, located in the stylish Minami-Aoyama, an upmarket district in Tokyo.

Tokyo's Cherry Blossom Bar

The bar contains a pool filled with 1.2 million imitation cherry blossom petals as a photo spot. The aesthetic is further compounded by a large tree with artfully draping branches over the pool. You can get in with your companions and take pictures fully immersed in the spirit of spring.

Or you can just demurely dip your feet in.

The petals come up to knee height but it’s easy enough to lie down and pile them up on yourself.

The indoor flower viewing party is fuelled by sake from Saga prefecture, giving you the chance to sample and compare several different nihonshu from the region.

As well as promoting Saga sake, the bar has collaborated with Saga strawberry brand ‘Ichigosan’. You can get delicious domestically grown strawberries to accompany your alcohol.

As for snacks, the strawberries turn up again in this beautifully presented assortment of five different specialties from Saga prefecture. (Menu prices available on official website)

But make sure you check out our cherry blossom forecast article so you don’t miss out on the real thing!

How to Get to Sakura Chill Bar (by Saga)

Address: Tokyo, Minato, Minami-Aoyama 5-1-25 IKIBA (located in Commune2nd)

Opening Times: Weekdays 15.30 - 21.45, Weekends 11.00 - 21.45 (closes at 21.15 on final day)

Open from 22nd to 31st March 2019

Sakura Chill Bar Website


By - Jess.