The Urban Tea Merchant

Sakura Spring Festival

March 08, 2011

Poems, such as this Haiku, are written praising the delicate Cherry Blossom flowers, which can be seen as a metaphor of life itself, luminous and beautiful yet fleeting, momentary and temporary.  The Japanese tea ceremony, Chanoyu (cha-no-yu – meaning ‘hot water for tea’) compliments this time of Spring to also celebrate beauty and even the mundane aspects of every day life. 

This year, The Urban Tea Merchant’s Sakura Festival and Sakura Afternoon Tea will be fully participating in the celebrations of Spring. In Japan, people gather in great numbers to hold feasts under the flowering trees.  As the most beautiful Cherry Blossom trees begin to bloom in our Tea Garden at our Alberni Street location and along the walkway in The Village at Park Royal in West Vancouver, The Urban Tea Merchant will be ‘feasting’ with music, dance and a beautiful Sakura Afternoon Tea. We are featuring Hanami Imperial, green tea delicately perfumed by Sakura Cherry Blossoms. Our Salon de Thé will be a perfect setting to make connections with friends and family and to welcome Spring. Come and experience Chef Taura’s newest creation – Sakura Afternoon Tea.  On Saturdays during the month of March, in both of our locations, treat yourself to an Afternoon Tea Service and listen to Japanese Flutist Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos, (shakuhachi musician), or watch the Japanese Cherry Blossom Dancers organized by Akemi Komori, or relax with the beautiful sounds of harpist Janelle Nadeau. (Reservations are highly recommended for the times of these special events). You could also simply enjoy a Sakura Afternoon Tea and witness the amazing show Nature offers with the blossoming of Cherry Blossom trees. Whatever you decide, please reserve as space is limited.

The Urban Tea Merchant is pleased to work with the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival to raise funds for planting even more Cherry Blossom trees around our beautiful city. We will donate $1.50 from every Sakura Afternoon Tea sold in the months of March and April to this very worthwhile community legacy. 

Sakura Festival Events at The Urban Tea Merchant

Every Saturday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm between March 12 - April 2 we present you special performances at our Salon de Thé to celebrate the welcoming of spring.

For a special experience why not reserve your Sakura Afternoon Tea during one of our Sakura Festival Events.  Call now because seating is limited.

Salon de Thé reservations limited to your choice of any Signature Tea Service (per person) during the Sakura Festival Events.