Japanese digital art collective Naked are known for their impressive projection mapping and interactive events, but they are perhaps most famous for their flower-themed works, which they produce under the label "Flowers by Naked". For example, last year, we introduced their sakura aquarium display and their sakura display at Nijo Castle in Kyoto.

This year, "Flowers by Naked" is trying something new, teaming up with famous Japanese dairy product brand Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. on a project called ネオ花見 "Neo Hanami" (hanami 花見 being the Japanese word for viewing plum or cherry trees in bloom, most commonly by having an outdoor picnic party) appropriate to the lifestyle changes imposed by the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.

Morinaga and Flowers by Naked present "Neo Hanami"

Flowers by Naked has collaborated with the limited-edition Spring versions of six popular Morinaga product brands, creating AR art of cherry blossoms that you can enjoy alone at home. When you hold up your smartphone to the products, the world of "Flowers by Naked" appears as images along with music. Not only will cherry blossoms bloom, but small animals and butterflies will also come out, creating a different Neo Hanami experience for each product.

There are two types of AR experiences:

Spatial AR

At first, you'll see cherry blossom petals fall on the product, then a filter will appear on your screen and music will begin to play. If you follow the instructions on the screen to scan a flat surface, cherry trees will appear one after another from the table and floor, and cherry blossoms will dance around the space.

Transformative AR

At first, you'll see cherry blossom petals fall on the product, then a filter will appear on your screen and music will begin to play. A sakura tree will seem to grow from the product, then balls of cherry blossoms and butterflies will appear and flutter, decorating the space.

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Target products

• Mount Rainier Cafelatte Sakura Latte (to be released on February 16, 2021)
• Lipton Sakura Tea Latte (available on February 16, 2021)
• Pino chocolate assortment in a cherry blossom package (to be launched on February 15, 2021)
• PARM chocolate (6-pack), cherry blossom package (available from February 15, 2021)
• MOW ice cream cups: vanilla, Uji matcha, Ethiopian mocha coffee - Cherry blossom package (available from February 15, 2021)
• Kraft Mochi Mochi Sakura 6 pieces-azuki flavored- (to be launched on February 16, 2021)

For more information and find out how to enjoy Neo Hanami, visit Morinaga's special website here.