March 01, 2021, 03:56 PM
Update on Mar. 24, 2:32pm: The Sakura featuring Hello Kitty floral display will run until Apr. 11, 2021.
Update on Mar. 2, 3:17pm: Gardens by the Bay has changed their pricing for The Way of Tea Demonstration and Workshop. This article has been updated to reflect the new price.
The Sakura featuring Hello Kitty floral display opened today (Mar. 1) at the Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay.
Note that admission charges apply for the Flower Dome.
First look
The headline attraction Hello Kitty appears in five picturesque settings:
- A Hello Kitty sculpture having a hanami (flower viewing) picnic amidst spring blossoms
- A Hello Kitty standee at a nodate (outdoor tea ceremony)
- A golden Hello Kitty statue in front of a shoji (traditional Japanese divider)
- A Hello Kitty topiary in front of a torii (Japanese traditional gate)
- A Hello Kitty standee in front of two local rickshaws.
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Flowers
Of course, you can't forget the cherry blossom trees that were brought here all the way from Japan.
Prunus persica
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Prunus nipponica 'Brilliant'
Photo by Karen Lui
Prunus 'Snow fountains'
Photo by Karen Lui
Prunus 'Okame'
Photo by Karen Lui
Other displays
According to Marziah Omar, Senior Assistant Director of Conservatory Operations, they are still hoping for the arrival of larger cherry blossom trees like Europe later to provide "the bonus opportunity to enjoy extended sakura season this year".
Other features include torii gates, a green and red Japanese pavilion, and tancho (Japanese red-crowned cranes).
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
There is also a zen garden with rocks, stones, toros (wooden and stone lanterns), and sand.
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
A newly-unveiled sculpture, "Kei-Chan", by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is also available for viewing.
Photo by Karen Lui
Cultural programmes
In addition to the Sakura featuring Hello Kitty floral display, visitors can also participate in Japanese cultural performances and workshops held on specific dates.
Cultural performances feature the Minyo Club of the Japanese Association, Singapore (JAS) and Hibikiya, a Japanese drum group.
Photo by Gardens by the Bay
Photo by Gardens by the Bay
A collaborative performance of the Japanese koto and Chinese erhu by Koto Group and Niko Dokokai of JAS will also be available.
Photo by Gardens by the Bay
All visitors are required to pre-book their tickets and adhere to safety measures on-site.
Tickets to these programmes are free, and do not include admission into the Flower Dome.
Enter the Flower Field Hall and Waterview Room via the Group Entrance, which is the glass door next to the Flower Dome entrance.
Cultural Performances at the Flower Field Hall (free)
| Programme | Date | Time |
| JAS Minyo Japanese Folk Dance | Mar. 13 (Sat) | 11am to 11:20am; 12:30pm to 12:50pm |
| Hibikiya Traditional Music and Dance | Mar. 14 (Sun) | 11am to 11:30am; 12:30pm to 1pm |
| Koto and Erhu Performance | Mar. 20 (Sat) | 11am to 11:30am; 12:30pm to 1pm |
There is a limited capacity of 100 visitors for each performance session.
Workshops at the Waterview Room (charges apply)
| Programme | Date | Time | Price | Capacity |
| The Way of Tea Demonstration and Workshop | Mar. 13 (Sat); Mar. 14 (Sun) | 2pm to 2:45pm; 3:45pm to 4:30pm; 5:30pm to 6:15pm | S$20 /pax | 12 pax per session |
| Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) Workshop | Mar. 20 (Sat); Mar. 21 (Sun) | 2pm to 2:45pm; 3:45pm to 4:30pm; 5:30pm to 6:15pm | S$50 /pax | 20 pax per session |
Photo by Gardens by the Bay
Photo by Gardens by the Bay
You can make your pre-bookings here.
Merchandise
If you enjoy the combination of Hello Kitty and sakura, a Hello Kitty plushie donning a pink sakura kimono is available for purchase at S$51.90.
Photo by Karen Lui
Palm-sized plushies are also available in an assorted variety from S$10 to S$11.90.
Photo by Karen Lui.
Other Hello Kitty merchandise such as toilet paper, masks (both disposable and reusable), stationery, and bakeware are also available at the gift shop near the exit.
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Photo by Karen Lui
Admission charges
All visitors need to pre-book their visit date and time to the Flower Dome for safe distancing and better crowd regulation.
The onsite ticketing counters at Gardens by the Bay will not be open during this period.
Singapore Resident Rates
| One Conservatory | Two Conservatories | |
| Adult (13 to 59 years old) | S$12 | S$20 |
| Child (three to 12 years old) | S$8 | S$12 |
| Senior citizen (60 years old and above) | S$8 | S$12 |
Standard Rates
| One Conservatory | Two Conservatories | |
| Adult (13 years old and above) | S$20 | S$28 |
| Child (3 to 12 years old) | S$12 | S$20 |
You can purchase your tickets online here.
Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Opening hours: 9am to 9pm, daily
Top images by Karen Lui.
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