Fun is a key element at Hanami celebrations in modern day Japan, and World Square in Sydney’s CBD will honour that tradition with a series of hands-on experiences through its popular Cherry Blossom Festival, bringing a little piece of Japan to the city.

The festival will run until 1 September and includes the first interactive AR experience at a retail venue of this scale in Australia, where visitors can play games to ‘grow’ a virtual cherry blossom tree onto a large screen.

There’s also a large scale artist mural, a giant light up cherry blossom arbour tunnel along with cultural activities including Japanese drumming, origami workshops and Yosaki Soran dancing that customers can enjoy.

Led by artificial intelligence, the first interactive AR experience at a retail venue of this scale in Australia, visitors will collectively play a number of games to ‘grow’ a virtual cherry blossom tree on the big screen including Taiko drumming, calligraphy dancing and a Nara deer park encounter.

Customers can also witness World Square transform into a Cherry Blossom wonderland by downloading the World Square app and using their smart device to view the Augmented Reality spectacle through a life-sized Torii Gate in the Square.

But just like the Japanese concept of ‘mono no aware’ – the bittersweet understanding that nothing lasts forever – visitors will only have three weeks to celebrate before the festival finishes for another season.

Instagrammers should head to Liverpool Lane with a large-scale mural painted by artist Eddie Balic of Creative Features, or snap away under the Cherry Blossom Arbour Tunnel and Torii Gate installed in the Square.

Customers are encouraged to take a selfie and share their magical Cherry Blossom moments on social media using #WSqCherryBlossom for the chance to win prizes including a Samsung S9+ and a $500 Coles voucher.

Cultural activities will run throughout the last two weeks of the festival including traditional Japanese drumming; calligraphy performances; personalised origami and bonsai workshops; and traditional Yosaki Soran dancing.

Visitors can also test their paper-folding skills and contribute to the 1,000 cranes origami challenge, brew matcha flavoured tea with T2 or make their own sushi with Sushi Hub during the festival.

Visit from Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 August and capture a Kombi Van as it is transformed into a Cherry Blossom masterpiece.

Special retailer products will also be available including:
Cherry flavoured cocktails at Laughing Buddha Bar
Teriyaki pizza from Fratelli Famous and cherry cocktails at The Bavarian
Sakura flavoured milkshake and soft serve at Oh Matcha
Cherry Blossom inspired toppings at the exclusive Hokkaido Pafu pop-up in the Square Friday 30 & Saturday 31 August
Pink coffee at Gazzi