Watch live: Tokyo crowd gathers to see cherry blossoms before full bloom
Watch live as tourists gather in Tokyo to see the Japanese capital's cherry blossoms before full bloom.
The trees, also known as sakura, mark the onset of spring in the Asian country, with the beautiful pink and white flowers adorning the streets of many of its major cities.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed the first blooming of a cherry blossom on Monday, when the specimen tree of the Somei Yoshino at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine had more than five blossoms flowering on it - the minimum required for declaring the start of the festive season.
According to the JMA, the opening matched the average year, and was five days earlier than the opening in 2024.
The cherry blossoms, which typically reach their peak in late March to early April, regularly appear in Japanese culture, symbolising life, death and rebirth.
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Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Shetland's first Japanese cafe relocates to Glasgow
On the other side of the counter is a man I recognise from social media as Terence Tsao, who co-founded the original shop in Lerwick alongside Emilu Hasegawa with the aim of bringing a Japanese bakery experience to Shetland. It's no doubt warmer still working behind the coffee machine, yet Tsao is all smiles as he prepares a couple of iced coffees for takeaway customers in Shawlands. They've unfortunately sold out of the onigiri croissants (which have been causing a stir on Instagram in the run-up to opening) I'll hear him repeat a few times throughout my visit. But not to worry, there's still plenty of cream-filled matcha cake to go around. On top of that, there's a pastel-toned menu on each of the tables, listing fluffy pancake dishes for breakfast, sandos and salads prepared in the kitchen by Hasegawa. I'd imagine there's not much room to spare in the prep area of this small unit on Minard Road, once occupied by Silk Road Deli, but they're coping well with a steady stream of orders. Struggling in the heat, I decide to investigate the Kagigori shaved ice desserts, which come in a range of three different flavours with toppings like red bean and matcha, or fresh strawberry and crushed Oreos. Only available to sit in, these cartoonish, colourful creations are heaps of fun and sure to appeal to any young visitors. My choice is inspired by Mount Fuji, with a blue raspberry base that's topped with homemade ice cream to emulate a snowy peak and a scattering of dainty mini mochi balls to finish the whole thing off. Heed my advice and get stuck in fast, as the delicate ice quickly melts into a pool of slush. Still enjoyable, just an awful lot harder to scoop. Not wanting to take up a seat for too long on opening week, I ask for my sando to go, leaving a little time to browse a small but brilliant selection of branded Showa merch like t-shirts, tote bags and coffee beans as I wait. The team clearly have an eye for design, echoed in the shop interior that's been kitted out with retro figurines and bold, graphic prints. "It's a place we've made with care, and we hope you'll feel it the moment you step inside," they previously said after announcing plans to move Showa from Shetland to Glasgow late last year, and they've very much succeeded in this. Pictured: A takeaway sando from Showa Coffee House in Shawlands (Image: Newsquest) Resisting the urge to splurge, for now, I walk back out into the sunshine with a takeaway box containing the 'Onsen Egg Hamu Sando'. Thin slices of doughy white bread hold together layers of cheese, ham and a soy-marinated soft-boiled egg sliced through the middle so that its gooey, yellow centre oozes slowly when pressed. With lashings of kewpie mayo and a little crunch from thinly shredded lettuce, it's a solid lunch offering. I've got my eye on the chicken katsu version for future visits, though the 'beef and egg wee group pancakes' with square sausage, cheese omelette, a touch of golden syrup and a spoonful of beans is hard to ignore. I can safely say that's the first time I've seen this combination of breakfast items on a menu, and it begs to be investigated. In Shawlands, where a high concentration of independent coffee shops and cafes can make it difficult to stand out from the crowd, the wonderfully quirky Showa is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood. Showa Coffee House is located at 34 Minard Road. Find them on social media @showacoffeehouse.
Time Out Dubai
a day ago
- Time Out Dubai
Futuristic dining spot Zenon Dubai gets a new menu this summer
Tucked inside Kempinski Central Avenue, Zenon Dubai is far from your typical dinner spot. Sure, it's a looker, and yes, it's got flair, but you don't go here for normal. You go here for the extraordinary. The striking interior – inspired by Greek mythology – makes the spot stand out in Dubai's crowded fine dining scene, while the anamorphic screens and laser lighting give the space a futuristic, otherworldly feel. Prefer to dine outside? The terrace offers a temperature-controlled setting that's perfect for relaxed evenings. With stunning interiors and a Mediterranean-meets-Asian menu, this is the perfect spot when you're trying to impress someone special. Meet the chefs Helmed by the talented trio, chef Lorenzo Buccarini, chef Thomas Papas and chef Tatsuya Ueda, the kitchen is where tradition meets modern. Chef Lorenzo, a La Petite Maison graduate trained in Italy, brings a wealth of experience from Bali, the Bahamas and Dubai to the table, infusing each dish with seasonal Italian charm. Chef Thomas, meanwhile, cooks straight from the soul, with Greek roots that run deep and a passion for produce that goes all the way back to picking tomatoes with his grandfather. Chef Tatsuya Ueda, a dedicated sushi chef at Zenon, embodies a futuristic and forward-looking ethos with every dish. Between them, they've racked up accolades from Gault&Millau and Gambero Rosso, and it shows. Explore the new menu This is where things get interesting. The new menu additions bring together refined techniques with big, bold flavours. The beef tataki is glorious. A thinly sliced beef striploin that's lightly seared and served with daikon, ponzu, red onions and a spicy citrus soy sauce. There's the shrimp saganaki drenched in a rich tomato base layered between langoustine bisque and bubbling feta, and the wagyu beef skewers that marry soy, mirin and miso with a crunchy hit of spicy tempura flakes. Don't sleep on the maccheroncini al pesto. It might sound familiar, but the garlic-chilli breadcrumb crumble gives it a cheeky twist. Prefer something chilled to start? The seabass ceviche dressed in passion fruit leche de tigre is a zesty number that balances citrus, spice and crunch in all the right places. Don't miss the ebi miso yaki, a tiger prawn grilled just right, brushed with miso mayo, and finished with a flicker of togarashi spice. Bold, punchy and rather good with a glass of something chilled. For dessert, the Aphrodite cheesecake keeps things sweet. This modern cheesecake comes wrapped in a lovely phyllo dough and is served with pistachio-yogurt parfait and honey. Or you could tuck into the Guanaja chocolate fondant masterpiece, created with camel milk ice cream and traditional sabayon with Marsala ice cream. Next time you're in the mood for something a little different, where Greek mythology meets global ingredients, you know where to book. Open daily noon-3am. Kempinski Central Avenue, @zenondubai
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
From tents to glitter: 7 ways to go greener at Glastonbury
With Glastonbury's return to Worthy Farm, and with more than four million people attending UK festivals each year, a staggering estimated 23,500 tonnes of waste will be generated across festival events in a single season. Lisa Stanley, Chief Sustainability Officer at reveals seven ways to be more sustainable before, during and after Glastonbury. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from our editors and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... BEFORE THE FESTIVAL 1. Dress like you give a damn Festival fashion shouldn't cost the earth. Instead of panic-buying fast fashion you'll wear once, dig through your local charity shop or Vinted. More than four million people attend UK festivals each year. From sequinned jumpsuits to crochet bralettes, there's more than enough sparkle already in circulation meaning you can easily shun single use, make a statement with second-hand and feel good about it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sprinkle on some festival sequins and glitter to those outfits and the real cost increases. Second-hand is not only better for your pocket, but it's also much better for the planet. 2. Get there greener Every car on the road adds to traffic jams, emissions, and car park chaos. Most major festivals offer shuttle buses from nearby train stations or run car-sharing platforms. From sequins to glitter, experts urge festival goers to opt for second-hand outfits. Choose public transport wherever you can—it's better for the planet and often faster than sitting in traffic jams. For example, two people travelling a round trip to Glastonbury Festival from Manchester by car would emit 201.8 kgCO2e while travelling by train emits around 75% less carbon (Manchester to Glastonbury by train: 48.4 kgCO2e) for the same journey – a powerful reminder that your festival travel choices can significantly reduce your environmental footprint this festival season. DURING THE FESTIVAL 3. Take a refillable bottle and actually use it Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While some festivals like Glastonbury have an outright ban on all single-use plastics, at other events it's still too common. Bring a refillable water bottle and top up at free water stations. And if you can't dispose of all your waste there, why not go Japanese and take your waste home with you for recycling. 4. Digital detox Festivals are about presence, not posting. Ditch the constant charging and Wi-Fi chasing and take the opportunity to log off. The less tech you bring, the fewer things you need to power or dispose of. Let the music reconnect you instead. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Day-to-day tech is so ingrained in our daily lives, often feeling like a limb of ours, that we possibly don't stop to think about the energy usage it consumes. For example, a typical tech-using Gen Z or Millennial would consume approx. 0.3 kWh of electricity and around 0.07 kg of CO2 – that's roughly the equivalent of the carbon absorbed by one mature tree in a given day after growing for 50 years. 5. Think beyond disposable period products For people who menstruate, festivals often mean overpacking pads and tampons. But reusable options like menstrual cups or period pants are practical, less wasteful, and more comfortable for weekends spent outdoors. One less thing to bin, and one more step toward sustainability. 6. Wet wipes? Just say no! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Most wet wipes aren't biodegradable and contribute to microplastic pollution. A bar of soap, a flannel, and a splash of water will keep you clean without harming the land you're camping on. AFTER THE FESTIVAL 7. Don't pitch and ditch Tents are not disposable, no matter how cheap they are. In fact, retailers such as Decathlon are helping festival goers to do the right thing with initiatives such as Summer Tent Pledge, by offering full gift card refund on their selection of tents this summer. Around 250,000 tents are abandoned at UK festivals every year. Leaving a tent behind, even with good intentions that it will be recycled, means it's likely to end up in landfill. Your best festival legacy is no trace at all. Lisa Stanley, Chief Sustainability Officer at Zero comments: 'Festivals are a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. They can also be a force for climate action - if we choose to make them so.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'At Zero, we're helping people understand the carbon impact of everyday spending through tools like our GreenScore® - from the travel you book to the coffee you sip. Because every pound you spend is a chance to do better.' 'So, this festival season, take only memories, leave only footprints - and make those footprints lighter and greener than ever.'
