Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009
Time: 3:00 - 8:00pm
Place: Nitobe Garden & Asian Studies Centre,
University of British Columbia

Spring is in the Air!

Escape the stresses of everyday life at Ohanami, the 25th annual celebration of cherry blossoms presented by the Vancouver Mokuyokai Society at Nitobe Memorial Garden and the Asian Centre at the University of British Columbia in cooperation with the University of
British Columbia Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research.

Time: 3:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009
Place: Nitobe Memorial Garden and Asian Centre, UBC.

Poster >>

Find peace of mind beneath the splendor of cherry blossoms as you drink in the tranquility of an authentic Japanese tea ceremony and relax to the soothing tones of shakuhachi (bamboo flute) and koto (Japanese harp). Take a guided tour of the authentic Japanese garden, sip some refreshing matcha, try making some origami creations, try on a yukata and enjoy a traditional Japanese bento dinner.

Top off your day with a tour of the garden by lantern-light, a magical, once-yearly event at Nitobe that should not be missed. Nitobe Memorial Garden is considered to be the one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside of Japan.

This event runs rain or shine.

Special option only available for Mokuyokai members to pre-register for bento or 3:00 and 4:00 tea ceremony sittings. On-site registration is on a first-come first-served basis at the garden entrance for all other tea ceremonies and garden tours. Please see below for more information.

For Ohanami details, please see the following!

• Asian Centre entrance fee = FREE
  -----------------------------------------------------
  
• Nitobe Memorial Garden, http://www.nitobe.org
• Adult $6.00.
  
• Youth (13-17) $2.00.
• Child (5-12) Free.
• Senior (65+) / Assisted $5.00.
• UBC Student (17+ with a valid student card) Free.
• Non-UBC Student (with a valid student card) $3.00.
• UBC Faculty / Staff $5.00 yearly rate (begins in fall 2008 when new sales system is in place).
• Family (max. 2 adults, 3 children) $9.00.

• Venue = The Tea House in the garden
• $20.00
  
• Times= 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00pm
• Maximum 10 participants per sitting
• This is a formal tea ceremony on tatami mats in the Garden's
  traditional tea house.
• Age: participants must be 10 years or older
  
• Mokuyokai members can pre-register for 3:00 and 4:00 sittings
  ---------------------------------------------------------
  
• *** On-site registration for all non-reserved tea sittings is on a first-come first-served basis at the registration desk.
  
• *** for advance reservation please contact Shelley at:
  rsvp[at]mokuyokai.bc.ca ( [at]=@ )
  
  Indicate your:
  - Name
  - Address
  - Telephone
  - Email
  - Your first and second preference for start time (3:00 or 4:00)
  ---------------------------------------------------------
• Please come to the registration table to pick up tickets 15 min. before the service begins. Please note, that tickets not picked up will be released for sale to the general public.

• Venue = The Tea Gallery in the Asian Centre
• $15.00
• Times= 3:30, 4:30, 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30pm
• Maximum 12 participants per sitting
• Seating for this ceremony is on benches
  ---------------------------------------------------------
  
• *** On-site registration is on a first-come first-served basis at the registration desk.

Find out more about the symbolism and plants of the garden by taking a guided tour led by knowledgeable and helpful members of Friends of the Garden.

• Times: 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30
• Length: Approximately 60 minutes
• Cost: $2 per person
• Maximum 12 participants per tour

Please note, all tickets for the tour are sold on a first-come first-served basis at the registration desk.

BENTO BOXES

Enjoy a delicious Japanese meal before leaving the event!

• Cost: $10
• Choose either delicious Chicken Teriyaki or Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura (All Vegetable Tempura also available) accompanied by nimono (assorted simmered vegetables), gomaae (spinach with sesame sauce), green salad and rice.

BENTO BOXES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICK-UP JUST OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO THE GARDENS BETWEEN 5:00 - 6:00PM.

• Only Mokuyokai members can pre-register for bentos
  ---------------------------------------------------------
  
• *** On-site sales are on a first-come first-served basis at the garden entrance.

To order bento boxes

1. Contact Shelley at
   rsvp[at]mokuyokai.bc.ca ( [at]=@ )
   
2. Please provide the following information:
   - Your name and contact info
   - Which kind you would like:
   ----- a) Chicken Teriyaki
   ----- b) Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura
   ----- c) All Vegetable Tempura
   -------------------------------------------------
   
3. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL BENTO ORDERS MUST BE PREPAID. Please send your cheque to Shelley by Wednesday, April 1st, 2009.
   -------------------------------------------------
   * Please make your cheque payable to "Vancouver Mokuyokai Society" and mail it to
   PO Box 48901 Bentall Station, Vancouver, BC V7X 1A8
   -------------------------------------------------
   
4. Please note that failure to pay by April 1st will result in the cancellation of your Bento Box order. (If in the mail, your cheque will be returned to you). There will be no refunds for cancellations made after April 1st.

We appreciate your cooperation with the above, and ask you to bear in mind that this event is made possible through the volunteer efforts of your fellow Mokuyokai members. Please make the most of your Mokuyokai membership, and come join us at this special event! We look forward to seeing you on April 11th!