Blue Bottle’s prettiest pink cup is here! A collab even master ceramicists can’t resist, and these 3 items are being snapped up all over Japan

March is cherry blossom season in Japan, and besides viewing the blooms, collecting cherry blossom limited editions is part of the experience. Walking through Tokyo, the air seems filled with a romantic, pale-pink atmosphere. If you travel there at this time of year without bringing home one or two seasonal keepsakes, it can feel as though a piece of your spring trip is missing. This year, Blue Bottle Coffee has once again teamed up with a leading ceramic artist, capturing the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms in coffee cups you can use every day. It’s hard not to fall for them.

• Related reading: Skip the crowds at the park! 3 cherry blossom-viewing hotels in Tokyo and Karuizawa, with private rickshaw rides and walks through mountain scenery above the clouds for the most poetic spring magic

A minimalist pink work of art

For tableware lovers, yumiko iihoshi (Yumi Iitaka) is a name that guarantees quality. For Blue Bottle’s Ginza cafe, she created an exceptionally rare pale-pink glaze with a matte finish. The cup feels delicate and warm in the hand, while its pink hue is just right: not overly sweet, with instead a sense of calm, like cherry blossoms drifting on the wind.

A little everyday joy for the table

If you’re looking for something more practical for everyday use and easier to get your hands on, the cherry blossom cup created with KINTO is the top choice. Based on KINTO’s classic NORI series, it is made using Hasami ware techniques from Nagasaki Prefecture.

The Blue Bottle logo is printed on the back of the cup, while the front is accented with a simple cherry blossom design. Because the glaze flows differently on each one, every cup has a slightly different appearance – that’s the appeal of handcrafted pieces.

KYO TO TO Embroidered Handkerchief: Carry a Touch of Kyoto Spring With You

Beyond the cups, Blue Bottle has also partnered with KYO TO TO, a well-known Kyoto embroidery brand. Made from breathable, absorbent gauze, this embroidered handkerchief feels exceptionally soft. Whether you’re taking an afternoon walk or settling into a cafe, pulling it out will instantly lift your mood. It’s the perfect little extra for a spring outfit.

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