While the cherry blossoms have already come and gone in Tokyo, another flowery extravaganza is now blooming in Tokyo's Marunouchi district — Marunouchi Flower Weeks 2008.

The new event, which kicked off Saturday and runs through April 27, features a variety of floral displays and flower-related events near Tokyo Station set up by about 150 participants in the flower industry, including retailers, floral artists and designers.

While flower events usually take place in event halls, "we chose to have an event in a city as we'd like people who like flowers or who don't to see the charm of flowers," said director Kanae Amino.

The displays, which have been scattered openly throughout the Marunouchi area, are attracting attention not only from visitors, but the weekend crowds as well.

Inside the Marunouchi Building, a mix of flowery scents enchants visitors as they enter the display areas, which feature elaborate flower and message displays as well as a flower market. Also being showcased are "carbon offset plants," such as cattleya and orchid, that excel in absorbing carbon dioxide.

Meanwhile, at the Shin-Marunouchi Building, roses and huge rose-decorated gates adorn the entrance, with other displays decorating the inside of the building.

Bouquets of 10 roses were presented to the first 300 visitors on Saturday.

Tomoko Kakegai of Tokyo said she came to the event Saturday because she likes flowers and that the flowers liven up the glass-and-concrete dominated area.