Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and The Highlife Monaco Foundation invite all to celebrate the arrival of spring in a traditional Japanese style with the Cherry Blossom ‘Make a Wish’ charity event.

From March 25 until April 10, the Patio of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo has been transformed into a Japanese zen garden, with a focus on the iconic and fleetingly beautiful cherry blossom tree.

Cherry Blossom was inaugurated in the presence of HSH Prince Albert on Thursday, March 25. At the opening ceremony, guests were introduced to two traditional Japanese practices, the wishful Ema and the hopeful O-mikuji.

Pictured above: HSH Prince Albert wrote his own Ema at the opening ceremony

This 15 day event was initiated by Madame Mayu Wittouck, founder of The High Life Monaco, and offers guests of all ages the opportunity to enrich themselves through creative and cultural workshops. The delicacies of the Land of the Rising Sun have been honoured here, as a sushi master joins Chef Philippe Joannès to deliver a delicious Japanese lunch.

All funds raised throughout the course of the event will be donated to the the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for its ‘Beyond Plastic Med’ initiative, which was launched in 2015 with the vision of a Mediterranean sea without plastic.

As of March 25, Cherry Blossom is open from 10:00 to 18:00 every day until April 10. Lunchtime is available from the hours of 11:30 to 15:00, with the sushi master in attendance each day. All attractions including gastronomic are subject to reservation. To discover more, head over to the Monte-Carlo SBM website available here.

featured image: HSH Prince Albert II alongside Mrs Mayu Wittouck, Mr Olivier Wenden and Mr Jean-Luc Biamonti