Catch the last of the Hidden Japan series on BBC iplayer - Japan: A Story of Love and Hate. Above is a clip from the episode, showing office workers doing morning (radio taisō) exercises.

'A far cry from the images of Japan portrayed in the world’s media – it seems the gap between rich and poor is wider than ever.'

This episode (one of four) aired on 30th March but will be shown again on Saturday 4th April, 10pm.

Sun, showers, wind, hail… the spring weather in the UK is consistently, um, changeable. You just can’t count on the sun showing its face (thank goodness for cosy pubs on rainy days!). Bearing the English climate in mind, there are plenty of wonderful ways to celebrate the cherry blossom season in London, inside or out.

Of course, what we really all want for our hanami party is to be sitting amongst fluffy pink cherry trees, under a pure blue sky, eating tasty Japanese treats from bentos.

Fingers crossed for fine weather for the Japan Conversation Group Hanami scheduled for 1pm on the 18th of April. This free annual event takes place in Hyde Park, at the east side of the Albert Memorial.

Saké lovers will certainly appreciate the (brand new for 2009) Akashi Tai Cherry Blossom Festival, taking place at Japanese restaurants around London. If you’re a member, you can join the Japan Society on April 22nd for the ‘Evening Cherry’ event at Tsuru restaurant on the South Bank – a saké tasting that will teach you how to match different types of saké with Japanese food.

The mouth watering menu will include free-range chicken yakitori, eel and sweetened shitake futomaki, vegetable and pork kushi katsu and pork gyoza with shichimi soy dip… to match with Honjozo, Daiginjo, Honjozo Genshu and Genmai Aged sakés! After the tasting, members can enjoy the evening under the cherry trees with sounds from London's top Japanese DJ, Tomoki Tamura.

Eyes streaming/nose tickling at the thought of all that fresh air? You can still see cherry blossom indoors… in the cinema, of all places.

Just released in the UK is the romantic German drama ‘Cherry Blossoms’. Playing daily at the ICA until the 23rd April.

'An ageing couple embark on a personal odyssey to be reunited with their estranged children after the husband is diagnosed with a terminal illness. This journey takes them from Germany to Japan, where spiritual solace is found in an unlikely friendship amid the snow of Mount Fuji. With its echoes of Ozu's Tokyo Story, Cherry Blossoms: Hanami is full of wisdom and mystery, with Doerrie finding visual metaphors for the characters' emotional journey.'

All sounds like too much bother? Throw a hanami party at home - all you need is a massive platter of take away sushi; colourful, flowery crockery; some cold Asahi beers and your best friends. As a matter of fact, cherry blossom motifs are all the rage on the high street for glasses, plates and cutlery at the moment, making it easy to get the Japanese look in your front room. String up some paper lanterns and pretty fairy lights and voilá! Instant spring celebrations. Enjoy!

A must-hear talk for lovers of Japanese gardens...

Marc Treib, Professor of Architecture Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley and author of A Guide to the Gardens of Kyoto, examines key ideas behind historical garden design in Japan, and considers their potential relevance to art in the West.

A free Barbican event at The Curve.

Part of the International Buddhist Film Festival at the Barbican which is taking place from 7th to 17th May 2009.

Kihachiro Kawamoto: The Puppet Master (PG)

'Japanese animation beyond anime: The renowned Kihachiro Kawamoto is regarded as the master of Japanese puppet animation. Famous for his beautiful, expressive puppets, Kawamoto integrates the traditional art forms of Noh, Bunraku doll theatre, and Kabuki into a unique aesthetic to exquisite effect.'

Playing 9th May 2009, 6pm in Cinema 3. Book online here.

The Gallery at Wimbledon College of Art welcomes the first solo exhibition of Toshihiro Komatsu in the UK from 24th April until the 22nd May.

'The show at the gallery has been organised as the first in a series of exciting exchange projects between Wimbledon College of Art and Kyoto Seika University and is the result of a one-month residency by Komatsu at WCA hosted by the Fine Art School. For the exhibition, Komatsu will make a new site-based work for the gallery space with other project material on show in the Foyer.

In his work, buildings frequently become both the subject and object. He is preoccupied with the numerous movements between public and private space that we negotiate each day and sets out to interrogate our living or working spaces from as many different viewpoints as possible by dissecting and re-configuring them.'

The Gallery is located in Wimbledon, at Wimbledon College of Art, Merton Hall Road, London, SW19 3QA

Open during exhibitions on Monday to Friday, from 1pm - 6pm and on Saturdays from 11am - 3pm. The gallery is closed on Sundays and Bank Holiday

For more information...
Tel: 020 7514 9703
Fax: 020 7514 9642
Email: thegalleryatwimbledon.arts.ac.uk

'New Music from Japan showcases Japanese musical and performance talent. The events have been running for one year on the last Wednesday of each month and have attracted a diverse crowd from the Japanese and local communities. Performers are also diverse, ranging from Wataru Kousaka, a sanshin player, to contemporary electronic composer Anchorsong and many others.'

Last Wednesday of every month April to September 2009 at Tsuru Sushi - located on the Bankside - London Bridge or Southwark tube. It's a mere stone's throw from Shakespeare's Globe and the Tate Modern!

For more information...
Tel: 07944 848740
Email: emma@tsuru-sushi.co.uk

Saké is quickly becoming the trendiest drink in London.

But do you know your Daiginjo from your Junmai Ginjo?

This workshop with a qualified saké lecturer and saké enthusiast in Fulham is a fine opportunity to find out about how it is made, and of course, sample many types!

'Sharing a brief history and look at Japanese sake drinking culture, we will take a look at what it is, how sake is made, its place in Japanese culture and growing popularity across the world.

Five premium sakes will be on tasting with a selection of Japanese food in a Japanese traditional and friendly atmosphere.'

To be held at Yumenoki Japanese Restaurant on Fulham Road, on Sunday 3rd May 2009 , the event starts at 6.30pm.

The tickets are £40 and include the saké guide, a tasting of 5 premium sakés, a Japanese dinner and more...

See the shiny new Saké Sommelier Association website for more information on this and other events.

To book call Anna 079888 99465 or Kumiko 079057 11457,

or email anna@sakesommelierassociation.com or kumiko@sakesommelierassociation.com.