Well, it’s almost cherry blossom season. In about two weeks’ time the first sakura buds will start to bloom in the south of Japan. As the season makes its way north we can witness the requisite stampede of families, office workers and underage kids, all vying for the same patches of grass beneath cherry trees in urban parks. Thus begins the annual spectacle that is the drunkard hanami picnic.
If competing for the same valued space with tens of thousands of others doesn’t sound like fun, then we recommend you get your hands on the Magic Sakura (まじっく桜), a desktop toy that recreates the hanami spirit in miniature.
The paper tree stands at 13.5cm (5.3″) tall and looks rather bare until you add the included “magic water”. Then pink blossom starts to appear within a few hours, eventually covering the whole tree. I guess this is the equivalent of a mini Christmas tree for the Japanese! You can have your sakura experience at home or work, minus all the crowds and fuss.
The Magic Sakura is priced 680 JPY ($7.5) and is available now inside Japan.
[Via Digital Gadgets Freak.]