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Sakura Season in Tokyo, Aussie Style: Hanami at bills Brings Spring to Your Plate

Sakura Season in Tokyo, Aussie Style: Hanami at bills Brings Spring to Your Plate

Date published: 18 March 2025

Spring in Japan means cherry blossoms, picnics, and a whole lot of sakura selfies—but what if you could enjoy the season with a twist?

Enter bills, the all-day dining spot from Sydney, Australia, bringing back its sensational “Hanami at bills” event until April 6th, 2025. Think cherry blossom-inspired treats, cozy vibes, and a chance to soak up spring without wrestling for a park spot. Our editors Timothy, Johanna, and Ningxin popped into bills Omotesando to preview this year’s offerings, and let’s just say—it’s a bloomin’ good time.

(All prices are tax-inclusive. Prices may vary by location.)

Table of Contents
  1. The bills Vibe
  2. bills Omotesando in Spring
  3. 2025’s “Hanami at bills” Menu
  4. Our bills Breakfast Selection

The bills Vibe

The bills Vibe

With Australian roots, bills has eight locations across Japan, and we selected their Omotesando location in Tokyo to sample their Hanami-exclusive menu.

Hanami’s Japan’s timeless tradition of chilling under the cherry blossoms, soaking up their fleeting pink perfection with good bites and good company.

The interior is bright and open, making it a great fit for spring.
The interior is bright and open, making it a great fit for spring.

bills Omotesando in Spring

There is sofa seating as well as tables, making it suitable for both small and larger groups.
There is sofa seating as well as tables, making it suitable for both small and larger groups.

Step into bills Omotesando during “Hanami at bills,” and you’re wrapped in a space that’s equal parts cozy and chic. Founder Bill Granger had a passion for relaxed yet timeless design, and you feel it here. Cherry blossoms in full bloom decorate this chill, comfortable space—blending seamlessly with the restaurant’s signature style.

There’s a variety of seating—tables, cushy sofas, even terrace seats—and it’s a space that feels both lively and laid-back, where you can enjoy conversation over drinks while watching Tokyo’s hustle outside. Perfect for having a lazy brunch with family or friends (they’re open daily from 8:30 AM).

2025’s “Hanami at bills” Menu

2025’s “Hanami at bills” Menu

Now bills is known for its Western dishes with a Japanese flair, and for “Hanami at bills,” they’ve crafted a special lineup celebrating cherry blossoms: the “cherry and hibiscus daiquiri,” “cherry shrub soda,” and “ricotta and cherry buttermilk muffin.”

Running from March 10th to April 6th (with sakura decor sticking around until the petals fade), this menu is all about sipping and snacking your way through spring. Here’s what we tried.

Drinks

The drinks menu has a splash of something for everyone, from juices to smoothies, coffee to cocktails, sodas, and ferments—oh, and plenty of beer, bubbly, and sake. But it’s the limited-time exclusive additions for “Hanami at bills” that are sure to delight.

Left: “cherry and hibiscus daiquiri” (1,300 yen); Right: “cherry shrub soda” (900 yen)
Left: “cherry and hibiscus daiquiri” (1,300 yen); Right: “cherry shrub soda” (900 yen)

“cherry and hibiscus daiquiri”
This cocktail is a stunner—cherry puree meets silver rum, fresh lime juice, and homemade hibiscus syrup. It’s a perfect mix of floral and fruity, with a tart kick that screams spring. We loved how the hibiscus added a subtle depth—fancy enough for a toast, chill enough for a casual sip.

“cherry shrub soda”
No booze? No problem. This non-alcoholic gem blends homemade cherry shrub (spiked with cardamom and Szechuan peppercorn for a warm, spicy twist), fresh lemon juice, and soda. It’s fizzy, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet—a total refresher before or after a day chasing blossoms.

Seasonal Bites

“ricotta and cherry buttermilk muffin” (550 yen)
“ricotta and cherry buttermilk muffin” (550 yen)

“ricotta and cherry buttermilk muffin”
bills’ famous buttermilk muffin gets a hanami glow-up with sweet-tangy cherries and creamy ricotta folded in. Baked fresh daily, it’s soft and rich, with a crunchy crumble topping that’s pure bliss.

Ningxin: “The muffin was smaller but satisfying. Paired with a drink, it would make a nice afternoon treat. The 'fresh plate' is also a good option, though it might be a bit large if you’re not very hungry.”

Our bills Breakfast Selection

Our bills Breakfast Selection

At bills you’ll find a customizable breakfast menu, which is uncommon in Japanese restaurants and makes for a unique dining experience.

This time, we selected several of bills’ breakfast lineups, along with the exclusive items, starting with the “winter fruit bowl” with creamy coconut yogurt (1,500 yen), paired with the “fresh Aussie”—tasty hot smoked salmon, poached eggs, steamed greens, avocado, and cherry tomatoes (2,400 yen; part of the regular menu), plus a side of toasted paleo bread (600 yen extra when served with the “fresh Aussie”).

“winter fruit bowl” with coconut yogurt (1,500 yen)
“winter fruit bowl” with coconut yogurt (1,500 yen)

The “winter fruit bowl” was offered with a choice of either Greek or coconut yogurt. The latter surprised our editors because it’s rarely found on the breakfast menus at restaurants around Tokyo.

Johanna: “I love fruits, and the combination of fresh fruit with coconut yogurt was delightful. The tartness of the fruit balanced well with the yogurt’s pleasant sweetness. It’s definitely worth trying as a unique alternative to Greek yogurt.”

“fresh Aussie” (2,400 yen)
“fresh Aussie” (2,400 yen)

“The plating is beautiful,” commented Timothy, “and I loved the ‘fresh Aussie.’ All the flavors came together so nicely, with the fresh cilantro and diced cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and smoked salmon. The salmon in particular, was perfectly moist and had a delightful smoky flavor that reminded me of planked salmon.”

Timothy couldn’t help but toss in the juicy “pork and fennel sausage” (600 yen) for good measure, adding it was very tasty without being overly greasy.

Top: “pork and fennel sausage” (600 yen); bottom: “paleo bread” (
Top: “pork and fennel sausage” (600 yen); bottom: “paleo bread” (

Both Johanna and Ningxin mentioned the paleo bread, which was dense and thick, had a tasty, nutty flavor. The butter helped moisten and enhance the flavors.

This is just a taste of “Hanami at bills”—the regular menu’s still there too, with breakfast classics like their ricotta hotcakes or plates if you’re feeling peckish.

But from March 10th to April 6th, it’s all about these cherry-kissed specials. So, grab your friends, your camera, and your stretchy pants—bills is where spring 2025 comes alive!

Tips
  • Depending on your order and congestion conditions, food may take some time to arrive.
  • We arrived at 9:30 AM and the restaurant was on the quieter side. We heard it tends to be busier around 11 AM. According to the staff, 4 PM, just ahead of the dinner rush, is also a good time and tends to be somewhat quieter and more relaxed.
  • For convenience, book ahead via the bills website
  • bills Omotesando
    bills 表参道
    • Address 7F Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Omokado, 4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001
    • ・Website: https://www.billsjapan.com/

Written by:
Timothy Sullivan
Timothy Sullivan

Chief English Editor

LIVE JAPAN

Timothy Sullivan is a senior English editor who has worked with LIVE JAPAN since 2017. Originally from New York, USA, he has over two decades of experience in Japan and more than 15 years in the digital media sphere. Timothy has played pivotal roles in assisting Japanese enterprises and regional authorities connect with international audiences. When he isn’t traveling, he is helping producing polished copy for LIVE JAPAN, one of Japan’s largest tourism platforms. He received a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the State University of New York College at Geneseo.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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