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19 april. When the cherry trees blossom, the Botanical garden celebrates the arrival of spring with a picnic, just like they do in Japan.
It is once again time for the year’s major spring celebration in the Botanical Garden. As the cherry blossoms open, the season is welcomed with a traditional Hanami picnic!
At the garden, you can watch the koi carp being released into the pond Spegeldammen, experience Japanese dance performances, try Japanese martial arts and enjoy the cherry blossom at its peak. You can also have a go at writing haiku, learn about Japanese calligraphy, discover the art of bonsai cultivation or explore ikebana flower arranging.
During the day, guided tours of the Japanese glade are also available.
Pack a picnic basket, bring friends and family and head to the Botanical Garden. Food trucks will be on site and the restaurant Botaniska Paviljongen will be open.
Visitors are encouraged to travel by public transport, bicycle or on foot. Parking is very limited, so please avoid coming by car.
Time: 19 april, 11 am - 3 pm. Location: Throughout the entire garden.
Free admission with the exception of a few acitivities.
Programme Sunday 19 April
11:00–11:40: Opening ceremony, Koi release and drum performance
Hanami is opened by the Ambassador of Japan, Hideaki Mizukoshi, followed by speeches from the Chair of the Regional Council, Reneé Bengtsson, and the Director of Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Hanna Tornevall. We release our beautiful koi carp into the pond, and there will be a drum performance by the group Riai Taiko. Mirror Pond (flag 1).
11 am, 1 pm and 2 pm: Guided tour of the Japanese glade
Botanist Jonatan Leo talks about this special part of the Botanical Garden. Duration approx. 30 minutes. Meeting point: Japanese glade (flag 10).
12 pm and 2 pm: Sakura dance
Ami Skånberg, Senior Lecturer in dance and PhD in Japanese walking, leads the traditional cherry blossom dance – Sakura. All are welcome to join! On the slope by the cherry trees in the central garden (flag 2).
12 pm and 2 pm: Japanese folk tales for children
The storytelling group KOM invites you to a cosy moment. At the shelter behind Stolpboden (flag 6).
12 pm and 2 pm: The Röhsska Museum presents the pavilion
The Röhsska Museum opens the pavilion in the Herb Garden and gives an in‑depth presentation twice during the day. Experience the original paintings depicting figures in park landscapes, classical sculptures and fountains. Herb Garden (flag 3).
12:30 pm and 2:30 pm: Dance performance “Echoes Through Time – Faith”
By and with Kyrie Oda, Artistic Director of Performing Arts Multiplied. Pinetum (flag 4).
Ongoing activities, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Join the Cosplay Association Confusion Meet
Lawn in the central garden (flag 7).
Japanese martial arts
The Swedish Budo & Martial Arts Federation, Distrikt Väst, offers demonstrations and encounters with “samurai” and “ninja”. Large lawn in front of the restaurant Botaniska Paviljongen (flag 9).
Dyeing with natural indigo
Dyeforindigo shows how it is done. Pattern a scarf with shibori and dye it with natural indigo. Materials available on site. Fee: 100 SEK. Indigo‑dyed items and antique Japanese textiles are also on display. Herb Garden (flag 3).
Haiku workshop
Learn to read and write haiku poems with poets Marcus Liljedahl, Tore Sverredal and Carita Forslund. Short introduction on the hour, and haiku readings on the half hour. Book sales by the Swedish Haiku Society. School Garden (flag 5).
Bonsai exhibition
Magnus Svenningsson exhibits his beautiful bonsai trees, and Västsvenska Bonsaisällskapet (the West Sweden Bonsai Society) talks about the Japanese art of shaping plants. In and outside Stolpboden.
Try manga drawing
Outdoor classroom Roten (flag 8).
Japanese flea market
Organised by the Japanese Association. In front of the Herb Garden (flag 3).
Curious about Japan?
Information about studying, research and tourism in Japan. At Roten (flag 8).
Ikebana
Experience Japanese floral creations with Ikebana. La Fleuriste on-site with plant sales. Plant Market in front of Stolpboden, central garden.
Unique Botany
Sales of bonsai, beautiful pots and accessories. Plant Market in front of Stolpboden, central garden.
Calligraphy exhibition MELLANRUM
Learn more about Japanese calligraphy and meet Pia Moberg, calligraphy artist, lecturer and PhD in Japanese culture and society. Floras rike. Open 10 am – 6 pm.
Japanese literature
Presented by the City Library. Lawn below the Perennial Garden, central garden.
Tour of the pavilion
The Röhsska Museum opens the pavilion in the Herb Garden. Experience the original paintings depicting strolling figures in park landscapes, classical sculptures and fountains. In‑depth presentations at 12 pm and 2 pm. Herb Garden (flag 3).
Face painting
Dragons, cherry blossom branches and koi fish. Fee: 60–100 SEK. By the play area next to the Culture Gardens.
Future new greenhouses and visitor centre
Gothenburg Botanical Garden and VGR Property Support and Service present the biggest project in the garden’s 100‑year history. New state‑of‑the‑art greenhouses and a new visitor centre are expected to open in 2030. Come, ask your questions and see what’s coming! Next to the construction site by the yellow manor house, Stora Änggården.
Meet Botaniskas Vänner (the Friends of the Botanical Garden)
Questions about the event, the garden, or interested in becoming a member? Visit the Info Tent at the entrance.
Botanical Garden Shop
Sells Japanese plants and a selection of other products from Japan. You’ll find the shop in the Visitor Centre at the entrance.
Botaniskas Vänner (the Friends of the Botanical Garden association) staff our information tent at the entrance. Here you can get assistance, ask questions about the event, and learn more about the garden in general. Perhaps you’re curious about the Friends association and want to know how to become a member?
You’ll also find our Visitor Centre at the entrance, where staff can help you as well.
At the restaurant Botaniska Paviljongen in the central garden you’ll find both meals and fika.
Throughout the garden there are also food trucks serving Asian‑inspired dishes: Mat & Sånt, La Chiva, Brandt Streetfood, Boho Bar and Kaffeluckan.
In addition, Meshiya sells bento boxes and Japanese tea in the Herb Garden. Ice cream is available in our shop in the Visitor Centre at the entrance. Vegetarian options are offered at all food locations.
Permanent toilet facilities are available at the entrance and along the main path further up in the garden. In addition, temporary toilets are placed around the area.
Thank you for being considerate of the plants in the garden!
As a botanical garden, one of our missions is to conserve rare and endangered plant species - many of which are particularly sensitive. For this reason, climbing trees, picking plants or playing ball games is not permitted.
We encourage you to travel to the event by public transport, bicycle or on foot. Additional bike racks are available near the entrance. The nearest tram stop is Botaniska trädgården, served by tram lines 1, 2, 7 and 8.
Please note: There is no car parking available close to the entrance of the Botanical Garden, except for a few spaces for visitors with reduced mobility. For safety reasons, Carl Skottsbergs Gata will be closed to vehicle traffic between 09:30 and 15:00. During periods of high traffic, access to Storängsgatan may also be closed.
We direct visitors travelling by car to parking areas in Slottsskogen as well as the car parks in the Linné and Järntorget districts.
