Each year in Japan, cherry blossom season, or sakura, signals a fleeting moment of beauty. Parks fill, petals fall, and the country collectively pauses to honour the transience of nature. Here in Auckland, Masu by Nic Watt is marking that same spirit of renewal with a Ladies Lunch that feels both reverent and refined.
Taking place on Friday 27 February from 12–2pm, this intimate gathering pays tribute to Japan’s most poetic season through cuisine and craft. Hosted by Chef Nic Watt alongside celebrated florist Chikako, the afternoon centres on ikebana, the centuries-old Japanese art of flower arranging.
Ikebana is not simply about assembling blooms. It is a disciplined practice rooted in harmony, asymmetry and negative space. Each stem is positioned with intention, reflecting the rhythms of nature and the beauty of impermanence that the cherry blossom season so elegantly represents.
Guests will be welcomed with a glass of Nautilus Cuvée Brut before settling in for a refined three-course lunch, showcasing Masu’s contemporary Japanese approach. Between courses, Chikako will guide attendees through a hands-on ikebana workshop, offering insight into the philosophy behind the form. Each guest will leave with their own sculptural arrangement, a quiet nod to sakura season brought to life on our shores.
At $95 per person, including lunch, bubbles and your ikebana creation to take home, it is an elegant way to honour a centuries-old Japanese tradition without leaving the city.
With only a few spots remaining, consider this your cue to book.
Masu Ikebana Ladies Lunch
Friday 27 February, 12 pm – 2 pm
$95 per person
Includes three-course lunch, glass of Nautilus Cuvée Brut on arrival, and an ikebana arrangement to take home.
