Blossom Bliss - Sakura in Singapore @ Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay

What? Sakura in Singapore?!

Back in two years ago, in Year 2016, Singapore did some “experimental floral display” by bringing the weather-sensitive cherry blossom to the tropics, to see if they would thrive. Not only that the experiment worked, the event also sees a large turnout of local residents and foreign visitors who didn’t want to miss the chance to see cherry blossom in Singapore. 

“Sakura, in a tropical weather? You’ve got to be kidding me!”

The event was a tremendous success, and it has since become an annual affair for two to three weeks, in the month of March. The first year’s display was relatively small at a confined area, but since 2017, more cherry blossom trees were spread out around Flower Dome. More than 20 varieties of cherry blossoms is set in a Japanese-inspired landscape featuring traditional elements, such as a tea house and authentic Japanese rickshaws. The flowers usually bloom for about one or two weeks.

Can't visit Japan in spring? It's okay, cos' now you can see cherry blossom, even in Singapore.

When, where and how much is the admission fee?

Year 2016

Event name: Blossom Beats

Date: 11 March 2016 to 27 March 2016

Year 2017

Event name: Blossom Bliss

Date: 2 March 2017 to 24 March 2017 (then extended to 26 March 2017)

Year 2018

Event name: Sakura Matsuri

Date: 16 March 2018 to 8 April 2018 

The cherry blossom display itself is free, however normal admission to Flower Dome applies.

Venue: Flower Dome @ Gardens By The Bay 

Opening hours: 9am - 9pm

Admission: 

One Conservatory – Singapore Residents

Adult: $20 

Senior Citizen (>60 years old): $8

Child (3-12 years old): $8

*Singapore residents enjoys 10% discount for tickets purchased online

Two Conservatories – Singapore Residents

Adult: $20

Senior Citizen (>60 years old): $15

Child (3-12 years old): $12

*Singapore residents enjoys 10% discount for tickets purchased online

Two conservatories – Standard Tickets

Adult: $28

Senior Citizen (>60 years old): $28

Child (3-12 years old): $15

*Please note that foreigners are must purchase admission to two conservatories (flower dome and cloud forest), whereas local resident may choose to visit either one or both.

This year there are more programmes being held in conjunction with the flower display. For more info, please visit the following website: 

http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/whats-on/calendar-of-events/sakura-flower-dome-programme.html

http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/whats-on/calendar-of-events/sakura-japan-fair.html

Gallery

Here’s some of the photos taken during my visit last year.

Camera: Sony a6000

Lens: Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS (mainly) and Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS CS (minimum usage)

Photoshop: none (too lazy)

Tips:

• Stay warm with a jacket. The air-con is going to be pretty cold considering it’s cherry blossom
• Go early in the morning to beat the crowd, else be prepared to queue up longer when the crowd started coming in
• Get your tickets online to get 10% discount and print them out to skip the ticket queue
• Enjoy 10% off conservatory admission rates when you pay with your Alipay at the ticketing counters
• Enjoy 15% off conservatory admission rates when you pay with your OCBC credit or debit card at the ticketing counters 
• To avoid disappointment, plan you visit when the flowers are in full bloom. Follow Gardens by the Bay on Facebook, where they will be posting updates on the blooming conditions

Epilogue

I’ve visited Japan (Tokyo) once in 2016, but it was during the end of summer (September), so I didn’t get a to see any sakura. Blossom Bliss flower display last year was my first hanami experience and I’d say it was a pleasant one. Although not as authentic as seeing them in the land of rising sun, it’s not a bad alternative for those who are not going to visit Japan anytime soon. After all, the admission fee is quite reasonable especially for local residents. 

However, I’m still hoping for the day to come when I finally get to visit Japan during spring, to truly get an authentic hanami view. There’s just something different with seeing the petals fall from the tree and blown away by the strong spring breeze. I have that image in my mind, and I hope someday I’ll be there. 

Meanwhile, I’ll take what I can get and pay $12 for a knock-off hanami in Singapore. How cool is that?

This year’s Sakura Matsuri flower display will be held from 16 March to 8 April 2018. Don’t say “bojio”!