The most romantic cherry blossom afternoon tea at The Peninsula Tokyo for a luxurious hanami experience

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family    Photos courtesy of The Peninsula Tokyo

Spring in Japan brings cherry blossoms in full bloom, and hanami events are more popular than ever. To celebrate the arrival of cherry blossom season, The Peninsula Tokyo is decked out in gorgeous cherry blossom décor, with hundreds of three-meter-tall cherry blossom trees creating the city’s first indoor hanami space, allowing cherry blossom enthusiasts to enjoy the season earlier than usual.

The Peninsula’s signature cherry blossom afternoon tea, with its vibrant colors, is one of the hotel’s most popular offerings. A silver tree-shaped stand displays an array of delicious seasonal savory items and cherry blossom-themed sweets, including strawberry chocolate coconut cake with cherry blossoms, cherry cookie profiteroles, lemon blueberry tarts, cherry blossom panna cotta, mini French sandwiches, and smoked salmon sandwiches—all sure to tantalize your taste buds. Homemade cherry blossom muffins incorporate savory cherry blossom petals, adding a subtle flavor that captures the essence of blooming cherry blossoms. Paired with a selection of 20 premium teas, the enchanting aroma of cherry blossoms, and live music, it offers a truly unique and relaxing experience.

The Peninsula Boutique and Café also offer hanami bento box sets, featuring cold cuts, vibrant prawn salad with red wine sauce, various sandwiches, desserts, fresh fruit, and rosé sparkling wine—making them perfect for a picnic hanami at popular cherry blossom spots such as Hibiya Park, Chidorigafuchi Greenway, Imperial Palace East Gardens, Ueno Park, and Shinjuku Gyoen.

Additionally, The Peninsula Boutique serves a variety of cherry blossom desserts during spring, such as cherry blossom chocolates with cherry liqueur truffle pieces, irresistible boxed truffles, and elegant marshmallow chocolate sticks adorned with pink macadamia nut crystals and cherry blossoms. The hotel also bakes freshly made treats when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, including Japan’s popular red bean paste bread, muffins, and cherry blossom red bean Danish pastries, as well as cherry blossom French country bread with dried cherries and cherry blossoms—perfect for sharing with friends under the cherry blossom trees.

Guests staying at The Peninsula Tokyo from March 24 to April 1 can also enjoy a two-hour cherry blossom tour in a specially designed luxury car. Not only can you admire the stunning cherry blossoms along Chidorigafuchi Greenway and Meguro River during the day, but you can also soak in the beauty of night blossoms illuminated by the lights of Akasaka Ark Hills and Tokyo Midtown when evening falls—a wonderful choice for a cherry blossom trip to Japan.