Maction Planet x Shochu.Pro Hanami 2019

Maction Planet and Shochu.Pro are collaborating once again to hold an exclusive hanami (cherry blossom party) to celebrate sakura season in Tokyo. The party will be held in Yoyogi Park on Sunday 31 March 2019 from 12:00-16:00.

Tickets to the event will include the following:

• Access to the Maction Planet x Shochu.Pro hanami: No need to wake up at the crack of dawn to secure a spot in one Tokyo’s best sakura spots – we will be doing it for you. Just turn up and enjoy the Cherry Blossom party!   
• Unlimited all-you-can-drink Shochu from a selection curated by Christopher Pellegrini.
• 4 x 300ml draft craft beers from Baird Beer, one of Japan’s foremost Craft Beer Breweries (depending on ticket option)
• Further craft beers will be available at ¥750 per bottle.
• Entry into a raffle to win a ‘Floating Sakura’ Maction Planet T-shirt, designed by superstar artist Livio Ramondelli

“Despite 2018 not being over, people are already asking us about the 2019 hanami event, and we understand why!” said Mac, Founder and Lead Guide of Maction Planet. “It has become a key date in the Tokyo calendar for many people. Over the last two years we have had a great mix of Tokyo residents and visitors from all over the world attending our Cherry Blossom party, with guests from Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, US, UK, Canada, Philippines, Mexico, France, India and more.”

This year there will be two ticket types: LEAN and LARGE

LEAN: Entry PLUS all-you-can drink shochu PLUS raffle entry

LARGE: Entry PLUS all-you-can drink shochu PLUS four 400ml draft craft Baird Beers PLUS raffle entry

Tickets are on sale now, and are available for purchase here.

“This year we have introduced a special “shochu only” ticket… but there is no ‘only’ about it! Ticket holders will be provided with all-you-can-drink shochu from an exclusive selection curated by the shochu whisperer, Christopher Pellegrini. Chris’ influence in the shochu world has gone from strength to strength in 2018, culminating in the opening of his own standing bar in Fukuoka. I cannot stress how incredible this opportunity to access his knowledge is.”

“It wouldn’t be a Maction Planet x Shochu.Pro Hanami without Baird Beer. They are a mainstay of our Cherry Blossom party. As guests on our Craft Beer Tours know, Baird Beer are one of the craft beer pioneers in Japan. We are honoured to continue our partnership in 2019.” said Mac.

“Our hanami is turning into an annual event, and I have people from overseas who are already planning their Japan trip around it,” said Chris, CEO of Shochu.Pro and author of The Shochu Handbook. “It’s always a pleasure to be able to share Japan’s indigenous spirits with the guests at the party, and I plan to outdo my drink selection from the past couple of years. It won’t be easy, but I think I can dig up a few bottles that people can’t easily get their hands on. Plus, we’re excited to announce that we’ll once again be pouring Baird Beer this year. We really cannot imagine doing this event without them.”

“I love the names of our two ticket categories.” said Chris. “‘Lean’ speaks to the health benefits of shochu. ‘Large’ is Mac’s favourite word, appropriate as it fully encapsulates his philosophy on life! As he is our beer expert, the name fits that ticket class perfectly.”

“Grab a friend, bring a picnic, and come drink with us under the cherry blossoms!” Chris added.

You can get yourself in the mood for Hanami 2019 by watching this incredible video of Hanami 2017.

Reviews of the hanami can be found here, here, here, here, here, here and here on TripAdvisor.

Tickets are on sale now, and are available for purchase here.

• Super early bird tickets, available until 31st December 2018 23:59 JST, cost ¥2950 (LEAN) and ¥4500 (LARGE)
• After that, Hanami tickets, available until 28th February 2018 23:59 JST, will cost ¥3750 (LEAN) and ¥5250 (LARGE)
• After that, Standard tickets, available until 26th March 09:00 JST, will cost ¥4500 (LEAN) and ¥5990 (LARGE).

Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo’s prime Cherry Blossom party spots, is 5 minutes walk from JR Harajuku Station and 7 minutes walk from Meiji-Jingumae on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Lines. The exact location within the park will be posted on the Maction Planet Facebook page by 10:00 JST on the day of the event. The event will go ahead in all conditions except heavy rain. A decision will be made by 10:00 JST on the day. Tickets are non-refundable except in the event of cancellation by the organisers. In such case, 100% of the ticket price will be refunded.

For further information contact info@mactionplanet.com

About Maction Planet

Maction Planet is a Travel and Apparel business based in Tokyo. They run private, fully-customised tours and travel experiences in Tokyo, and beyond. Guests have described them as  “reinventing custom travel” in The World’s Greatest Metropolis. Since the launch of their website in February 2017, and growing their business away from solely ‘word-of-mouth’ recommendations, Maction Planet is now ranked in the Top 5% of all Tokyo Tours on TripAdvisor, with 100% 5-star reviews – ahead of many long-established Tokyo Tour companies. They have developed a loyal fanbase, with over 3500 Instagram followers. Alongside the travel arm, Maction Planet Apparel designs unique T-shirts inspired by the city they love.

About Shochu Pro

Shochu Pro strives to bring Japan’s indigenous spirits, shochu and awamori, to audiences all over the world. Little known outside Japan, the diverse and delicious world of the country’s centuries-old spirits traditions has been innovating with an eye to moving into overseas markets. Through a combination of seminars, tastings, consulting, writing, and media engagements, the Shochu Pro team is working alongside Japanese distilleries and regional cooperatives to ensure a successful internationalization effort. Shochu Pro is led by a team of professionals with extensive experience in Japan, both on the distillery floor and through a plethora of promotional activities. Kanpai!