Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2014

Want to have your cherry blossom party something better than cans of beer on a sheet of blue plastic? These ideas can help, or even do everything for you.

Hanami season is almost here and it doesn’t have to be all about the booze. If you do it right, immaculately prepared bento will take their rightful place on the blue tarp. Those who lack the culinary skills of the perfect housewife can get in touch with Daylesford Organic Cafe and Shop in Aoyama. The original farm shop is located in Gloucestershire in the UK. They have good ol’ British style sandwich baskets (¥5,500 for 5-6 people) and tea baskets (¥4,800 for 5-6 people, including quiches, scones and muffins) for takeout or delivery. For those having posher get-togethers, they also offer catering.

5-52-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3486-0080. Open daily 11am-9pm. www.daylesford.jp/takeout

Soba Flower

Drop these noodles into a boiling pot and you will smell the aroma of spring in Japan. Another hint is the vivid pink color. Yes, this sakura soba (¥845 for 3 packs)  is made with cherry blossoms that produce a mild flavor. Each package comes with a soy-based dipping sauce, making them easy to throw in a bento box if you want to rose-color up someone’s day. They’re also great  for picnic baskets destined for your favorite hanami spot, where you can eat sakura while also sitting under them. The noodles are “semi-dried” to maximize freshness. That also means they have to be eaten soon—and that shouldn’t be a problem with food this fun.

http://meturl.com/sakurasoba

Blooming Delicious

The Westin Tokyo in Ebisu will be sakuradarake, or “awash with cherry blossoms,” this season with its annual Sakura Fair covering the entire venue: from cakes at the Deli (¥650) to hanami kaiseki at restaurant Mai and sakura mojitos (¥2,000) at The Bar. The cherry blossoms will be gathered in Kyushu, where they bloom earlier, and used to infuse culinary creations with a pink blush. Special menus are available March 20-April 6. Adding to the atmosphere, The Westin Garden will host cherry trees from all over Japan and landscape designer Kazuyuki Ishihara will give a demonstration in the lobby at 8:30pm on March 29. The time is right for a taste of spring.

1-4-1 Mita, Meguro-ku. Tel: 03-5423-7000

Posh Picnics

Don’t want to spend this year’s hanami celebration sitting on a thin sheet of blue plastic drinking cans of chu-hai? The Martini Blossom Lounge at the Tokyo Midtown Garden (until Apr 20, noon-8pm; www.tokyo-midtown.com), named after the Italian sparkling wine brand (not the cocktail), features seating for 100 near an indoor sakura tree where you can order pink-hued drinks and snacks, such as a glass of Martini rosé or the sakura sweets set (¥1,500), and enjoy illuminated blossoms after 5pm. Chandon is sponsoring Ohanami Chandon Megurogawa (www.mhdkk.com/ohanami) in Nakameguro and Daikanyama to promote its brut rosé. Over 30 bars and restaurants will be serving the pink bubbly, affording the perfect opportunity to relax after hanami in the park, or if you’re lucky enough to get a window seat—do both at once.