Any plans for food-filled Japanese getaways have been put on ice for 2020, but that doesn't mean you can't indulge in a bit of escapism. And, no, we're not just talking about daydreaming and spending hours scrolling through Pinterest.

Australian Venue Co is helping to ease the wanderlust a touch by transforming more than 20 of its pubs and restaurants across the country into some of the world's most popular holiday destinations for summer. At Friday's, that means eating dumplings under cherry blossom trees in its courtyard. Also on the menu: sitting beneath pink and red-hued lanterns, drinking matcha sours and whiskey highballs, and tucking into plenty of gyoza.

The riverside spot has been turned into a cherry blossom garden until the end of summer — so, until the end of February — and it's pairing its love of all things Japanese with its usual watery views.

Head by on Wednesdays for bottomless karaage chicken for $30 (with bottomless beer and wine for an extra $25). Or, opt for a cherry blossom sunset session from 4–7pm Tuesday–Thursday — which'll cost you $49 and includes 90 minutes of unlimited cherry blossom slushies, house wine and selct tap beers, plus bites from the Japanese-inspired food menu.