Meaning & Color

Cherry Blossoms, also called 'sakura' in Japan, are one of the country's most precious and celebrated flowers. Between mid-March and sometimes early May, the tree blossoms for only one week. During that week, there is a celebration!

The flower represents hope and renewal and the tree's nobleness, human life, and transience. In fact, during the limited period of bloom, people are known to throw 'hanami's' or flower-watching parties.

The inspiration color palette for this theme is dedicated to a traditional treat prepared for the festival, 'Hanami Dango,' along with the tree itself.

Home Decor

To fit the celebration and palette below are suggestions of decor. Also, in Japanese culture it's known to share dishes so you will see servings plates as recommendations.

Serving Trays

Serving Trays for guests to pick and choose portions are a regular way of eating in Japanese culture. These are sleek to the theme but also can be re-used for other purposes.

Bento Box

Bento Boxes are well known in western society and picking up popularity thanks to Japanese culture. Pick pink or white will do for this event and the desired number. Once finished, they have a great re-use of a lunchbox (speaking on experience).

Bento Wrapping also known as "Furoshiki" is a traditional cloth wrapping around Japanese bento boxes and served as container and handle. Presenting your bentos in this wrapping will impress your guests and a conversation starter. Below are links to the product and how to wrap.

Bento Holder

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Placemats

Decorative table accessories are minimal but placemats are common.

Glassware

Unique and practical for water or other beverages.

If you are planning to serve tea, the tea set below will work for this event.

Tea Set

Chopstick Rest

Themed for the occasion and standard accessory in Japanese cuisine.

Cherry Blossom Aesthetic

A lovely scented candle adds big impact for your event.

It can get expensive trying to order real cherry blossoms, this is eco-friendly and budget friendly way to keep it for your event.

Cherry Blossom Aesthetic

Chopsticks

Themed for the occasion and standard accessory in Japanese cuisine.

Food & Drink Pairings

Food is an opportunity to show the uniqueness of this occasion with traditional recipes that co-exists with your color palette. It's already a well known tradition to have food matching the Sakura trees in Japan. Below are suggested recipes and links to their origin page to get started!

Hanami Dango

The dumplings are very popular and represent the cherry blossom life cycle; pink buds, white flowers and green leaves by Simply HomeCooked.

Matcha Checkerboard Cookies

Another festival treat are the delicious checkerboard cookies. A Japanese twist from the classic Swedish shortbread cookie by Just One Cookbook.

Starters

Photo Credit: @simplyhomecooked

Photo Credit: @justonecookbook

Main Course: Bento Box

Japanese bento lunches are cute, appealing and delicious! Recently western cultural has adapted the benefits of the bento box by applying it to daily routines ~ mainly lunch meals. There are certain guidelines to follow for help to pack a bento lunch. Mainly the 4, 3, 2, 1 rule (see below suggestions).

Rice

Around 40% of the bento can be rice or pasta. If you are hesitant on how to make the perfect rice check out this recipe by Chef JA Cooks.

Tamagoyaki

It's ideal for 30% of the bento to be protein. For example, salmon or the recipe above, tamagoyaki (with or without the nori) by Chef JA Cooks.

Goma-ae

It can be a small salad, edamame beans or sliced veggies -- your choice, vegetables take up to 20% of the bento. What I suggest above is a sesame salad called Goma-ae by Chef JA Cooks.

Photo Credit: @chefJACooks

Photo Credit: @chefJACooks

The last 10% to complete the bento ratio are treats. Choose from any one of these Japanese treats below to add your last item!

Dorayaki

Japanese pancakes with matcha red bean paste.

Sakura Mochi Candies

Soft and chewy mochi.

Japanese Sugar Candy

Small colored candies.

A reminder, bento boxes are done with care and precision when it comes to presentation. Below is an example of how to prepare an appealing bento box curtsy of @thrivingonplants.

Dessert

For the last course, either option will be a light and easy last course to serve guests.

Cherry Blossom Milk Pudding

The clever dessert uses actually cherry blossoms in it's recipe by Just One Cookbook.

Fruit Sando

A light fruit sandwich that will brighten up the meal created by Just One Cookbook.

Japanese Strawberry Shortcake

Japanese Strawberry Cake is incredibly light and refreshing. Again, adding something bright to finish off the occasion, curtesy of Recipe TinJapan.

Photo Credit: @justonecookbook

Photo Credit: @justonecookbook

Photo Credit: @RecipeTinJapan

Beverages

One or two the below will do to create some variety for your event.

Sakura Latte

Not only is it lovely to look at, but it's also delicious too! I provide links to find the sakura powder and the recipe itself by Country Hill Cottage.

Cherry Blossom Green Tea

Green tea with cherry blossoms is a great beverage to add to the event for your guests.

Pink Sakura Sake Cocktail

The Sakura Cocktail uses a well known liquor in Japan ~ sake! Recipe created by Whimsy Soul.

Photo Credit: @WhimsySoul

Photo Credit: @CountryHillCottage