Sakura featuring tokidoki at Gardens by the Bay

Sakura season returns to Gardens by the Bay, this time with tokidoki characters!

This is the seventh consecutive year that Gardens by the Bay is bringing sakura to the tropics, and also the second to feature an IP (last year’s edition had Hello Kitty). The event also features smaller displays created in collaboration with Ikebana International Singapore and Japanese Association, Singapore. Together with the scenes set up in the main flower field, this year’s Sakura event at Gardens by the Bay offers a viewing experience that keeps unfolding – you’d want to walk around the whole Flower Dome at least twice.

To commemorate the Gardens’ 10th Anniversary and the launch of the Sakura floral display, Gardens by the Bay will offer free entry to Flower Dome to Singaporeans with an orange or blue CHAS card from 5 to 11 March 2022. Eligible visitors can visit the Friends of the Garden centre* in person to redeem for their Flower Dome ticket, subject to availability of time slots.

(*Located at the Canopy, near the entrance to Flower Dome)

A classic beginning: Torii gate setup at the first area of the Flower Dome.

Here’s an overview of the entire display – featuring a mix of everything, new and old.

Don’t miss the colourful koinobori (carp streamers).

There’s a handful of torii gates returning for this year – placed at some spots that would be easy for photos.

Over at the back lane you can find two tokidoki characters – SANDy from Cactus Friends.

One of the Unicorno. See if you can spot the Sakura Unicorno!

The other character, Donutella, is on the other end, near the carp streamers.

Of course, the centerpiece is the ‘cube’, transformed from the last floral display’s lantern.

Colourful umbrellas, each with a swirl of cherry blossom petals, form the roof of the centerpiece.

The cube also offers you a marumado (circular window) view into 2 scenes.

The first is a serene garden landscape.

The other is a setting of wagashi (and sushi?) and furoshiki, on tatami. Like a tea party of sorts.

Lastly, there are a few ikebana (floral arrangements) set around the fields. Exquisite.

Now let’s talk about the “state of bloom”. As you’ve noticed, there aren’t photos showing lush plumes of blossoms. I visited on the second day, and most of the trees were still budding.

Just like past year’s events – the “best” state of bloom is sometimes in the middle of the season – rarely in the first week.

Likely the peak blooming will coincide with the March school holidays (12 – 20 March), which is probably why the free admission period for eligible CHAS cardholders will not overlap with peak attendance period expected during school break. Be prepared for crowds and book your visit timeslot early to avoid disappointment.

The good news is there are some (smaller) trees that have already started to bloom, and most visitors gather around these.

A row of larger trees can be found near the back (might be moved throughout the event), and appear to be the tall ‘fountain’ variety.

There are also some large pots near the carp streamers – these are some of the biggest trees this year, and should look magnificent in full bloom.

After leaving the Flower Dome, you can grab some tokidoki merchandise at the store.

The store is also accessible to visitors without a Flower Dome ticket, by using the door near the entrance to Cloud Forest (at Level 1) of the Gardens.

Sakura featuring tokidoki (2022) at Gardens by the Bay

From now till 3 April 2022

Admission to Flower Dome and reservation of entry timeslot are required.

Use my Klook link to buy tickets for Flower Dome and other attractions at Gardens by the Bay!

(Purchases made via this link will help support Dejiki.com at no extra cost to you)