See you at the Japanese garden on Saturday for our cherry-viewing event

(Photo by Michael Dagley)

If you're in the New York City area, we invite you to join us Saturday morning, April 25, at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden for a cherry-viewing gathering.

We'll meet at 10:30 a.m. at the small ampitheater-like area between the Japanese pond and the Celebrity Walk, where there are some convenient stone benches. It's nearly in the center of this map of the garden. From there, we'll take a stroll around the pond and then visit the Kuramayama cherry tree, which just began blooming. That's as close as we can get to Mt. Kurama this year, but one of these springs we hope to visit the birthplace of Reiki and see the cherry blossoms there.

Admission to the garden is free until noon, and here are the directions for visitors arriving by public transit or by car.

Although cherry blossom viewing in Japan usually involves a picnic under the trees, picnicking is prohibited at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, but there is a very nice outdoor cafe there.

If you need more information, or if you get to the garden and can't find us, call 917-512-1330. This is not an official Brooklyn Botanic Garden event, just a gathering there.