
Enjoy the sight of cherry blossoms, then get a taste of outer space.
If you can’t wait for sakura season to begin in Tokyo (because apparently many businesses and restaurants in Japan can’t, either), swing on by a planetarium. Konica Minolta Planetaria Tokyo (located in Tokyo’s Yurakuco neighborhood) plus the Konica Minolta Planetarium branches in Ikebukuro Sunshine City and Tokyo Sky Tree Town are giving you a chance to immerse yourself in digital cherry blossoms before the actual blooms even start to open.
If you visit any of the three locations between certain times in March through May to see one of the planetarium’s featured shows, you’ll be treated to a 360-view of giant, up-close preview video of cherry blossoms. And since it’s before the main feature at the planetarium, you’re allowed to take all the pictures, video, and selfies that you want.
You can see the spectacle at the Konica Minolta Planetarium in Sunshine City anytime between now and May 16 with the sakura appearing before the start of the Starry Globe, Aurora Night, and Hoshi no Kazu Hodo programs. At Sky Tree Town, the sakura only last until April 11, and can be seen before the Gift of Light, Songs for the Planetarium Vol. 1, and Toki wo Kizamu Kono Hoshizora shows. Finally, if you visit Konica Minolta Planetaria Tokyo before May 12, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms before the Starry Tales, Hoshi no Tabi, Starry Island, Starry Globe, and Songs for the Planetarium Vol. 1 programs.
In addition to looking at the sakura, at the Planetaria Tokyo you can sip on a limited-time Sakura Berry Latte in the facility’s cafe. It costs 770 yen (US$7.09), and it’s packed with sakura, berry, cheesecake, and raspberry flavor that makes it all worth it.
Planetaria Tokyo is also releasing a limited-time series of drinks and goods starting March 18 with the tantalizing title “Outer Space Smells Like Raspberries“. If you’re lost, we’ll fill you in: ethyl formate, the substance that gives raspberries their pleasant smell (though it smells like rum to some), is also found in abundance in outer space, hence the event’s theme!
▼ The exclusive menu boasts a bubbly cocktail, an Instagram-worthy Milky Way Fruit Sandwich, and a raspberry-rich red mocktail.
The cocktail and mocktail are named Eta Carina and Omega, respectively. The event also features the planetarium’s popular glowing tea drinks called Starry Bottles; these ones are brimming with the smell of raspberries as well.
▼ Come for the sakura, stay for the raspberries.
So if you simply can’t wait until cherry blossom season begins in Tokyo or you just really like raspberries, make a stop by any of those three Konica Minolta locations after eating up your cherry blossom curry.
Related: Konica Minolta Planetaria Tokyo, Konica Minolta Planetarium Ikebukuro Sunshine City, Konica Minolta Planetarium Tokyo Sky Tree Town
Source, images: @Press
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]




Tokyo’s indoor Tenbou-Park Sakura Festival is perfect for those with pollen allergies
Want to enjoy sakura season but have allergies? Tokyo indoor park offers the perfect solution
Sakura shine at beautiful art installation at Tokyo Sky Tree’s Solamachi complex
Cherry blossom forecast 2021 released! Sakura set to bloom early in Tokyo again this year
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Beautiful exclusive Totoro tenugui towel is a gift from Disney to Ghibli physical media buyers
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Yakuza members arrested for building a road on mountain they don’t own
Cup Noodle and Columbia team up for a weird and wonderful T-shirt that’s very Japanese
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Starbucks Japan releases exclusive new Bearista collection…with beary cute details
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa