Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival

JAPAN AMERICA CENTER SEATTLE
Current Events

This Year's Events

Welcome to the festival! Below are complete schedules of events, from Friday to Sunday, 10:00am - 6:00pm.

View the schedule in PDF format here: printable 2019 schedule

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • Cherry Blossom's take on the 2020 Olympics
    ShamTen Demonstration:
    Table Tennis with Shamoji (rice scooper) instead of a paddle!
    Hashilympic: Chopstick Challenge Games
    by International Institute of Hashi
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    Friday, starting at 1:00pm
    Armory stage
    Saturday, starting at 11:00am
    Armory stage
    Sunday, starting at 11:00am
  • Sake Tasting
    Armory loft 1
    Saturday and Sunday, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Opening Ceremony
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    Friday, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
  • Closing Ceremony
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    Sunday, 5:30pm - 6:00pm

Friday 4/26

ART & ACTIVITIES
  • Tea Ceremony
    by Urasenke Tradition by Masaye Sosei Nakagawa
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    Friday, 11:00am - 3:00pm
  • Cooking Demo by Robert Giulliette
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    Friday, 11:00am - 11:30am
  • Bon Odori
    Armory stage
    Friday, 12:30pm
  • Cherry Blossom's take on the 2020 Olympics
    ShamTen Demonstration:
    Table Tennis with Shamoji (rice scooper) instead of a paddle!
    Hashilympic: Chopstick Challenge Games
    by International Institute of Hashi
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    starting at 1:00pm
  • Kibori
    by Naomi Schneider
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Kumihimo
    by Kathy Warner
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Mizuhiki
    by Kathy Carmichael
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Advanced Origami by P.A.P.E.R.
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Saganishiki
    by Jan Paul
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Temari
    by Emily Hamilton/Becky Durham
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Tsukamakishi
    by Gunnar Goerlitz
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Zokei Bonsai
    by Setsuko Evans
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Japanese Knives
    by Hasu-Seizo
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Native Dogs of Japan
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
FILM
  • What Are You Anyways?
    Jeff Chiba Stearns
    Armory loft
    10:00am - 10:25am
  • One Big Hapa Family
    Jeff Chiba Stearns
    Armory loft
    10:30am - 11:55am
  • NEVER GIVE UP! Min Yasui and the Fight for Justice
    With introduction by Barbara Yasui, Q & A
    Armory loft
    12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Thermae Roman
    Starring Hiroshi Abe, directed by Hideki Takeuchi, and managed by Consulate- General of Japan Films
    Armory loft
    1:00pm - 2:50pm
DRAMA
  • Storytelling by Lori Whaley
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    1:00pm - 1:30pm
LECTURE
  • Japan in the Schools (JASSW)
    Elementary school in Japan
    Fisher Pavilion
    1:30pm - 2:00pm
  • Soroban Introduction
    Banshu Soroban (from Hyogo)
    Fisher Pavilion
    2:00pm - 2:30pm

Saturday 4/27

ART & ACTIVITIES
  • Home Cooking Demo
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    11:30am
  • Sake Tasting
    Armory loft 1
    12:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Ikebana by Ikebana International
    Fisher Pavilion, outside
    1:00pm - 1:30pm
  • Origami Plane Contest
    Fisher Pavilion, outside
    1:00pm - 3:00pm
  • Tea Ceremony by Omote Senke
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    1:30pm - 2:00pm
  • Using Cooking Knives Demos
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    2:30pm - 3:00pm, and 4:00pm - 4:30pm
  • Abacus Making
    by Hidetaka Miyanaga - Banshu Soroban
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Kibori
    by Naomi Schneider
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Kirie
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Advanced Origami by P.A.P.E.R.
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Saganishiki
    by Jan Paul
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Kumihimo
    by Kathy Warner
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Temari
    by Emily Hamilton/Becky Durham
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Mizuhiki
    by Kathy Carmichael
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Tsukamaki
    Sword grip wrapping
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Zokei Bonsai
    by Setsuko Evans
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Japanese Knives
    by Hasu-Seizo
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Native Dogs of Japan
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
FILM
  • Jikken
    About the Aono Jikken musical group, along with a selection of shorts, by Doug Ing
    Armory loft
    10:00am - 10:55am
  • Thermae Roman
    Starring Hiroshi Abe, directed by Hideki Takeuchi, and managed by Consulate- General of Japan Films
    Armory loft
    11:00am - 1:00pm
  • NEVER GIVE UP! Min Yasui and the Fight for Justice
    With introduction by Barbara Yasui Q & A
    Armory loft
    1:10pm - 2:10pm
  • What Are You Anyways?
    Jeff Chiba Stearns
    Armory loft
    2:15pm - 2:25pm
  • Mixed Match
    by Jeff Chiba Stearns
    Armory loft
    2:30pm - 4:00pm
  • Surrounding Game / Kirschner's Dream
    by Chris Kirschner
    Armory loft
    4:00pm - 5:45pm
MUSIC
  • Taiko by Inochi Taiko
    Fisher Pavilion, outside
    11:00am - 11:30am
  • Pink Punk by Ichi Bichi
    Fisher Pavilion, outside
    3:00pm - 3:45pm
  • Koto by Miyagi Kai
    Fisher Pavilion stage
    2:00pm - 2:30pm
  • Dance and Music by Kabuki Academy
    Armory stage
    12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Cherry Blossom Trio
    Armory stage
    1:00pm - 1:30pm
  • Taiko by School of Taiko
    Armory stage
    2:00pm - 2:45pm
  • Okinawan Dance and Music
    Armory stage
    3:00pm - 3:45pm
MARTIAL ARTS
  • Shorinji Kempo
    Armory stage
    10:30pm - 11:00pm
  • World Seido Karate
    Armory stage
    12:30pm - 1:00pm
  • Judo by Budokan Dojo
    Armory stage
    1:30pm - 2:00pm
  • Classical Bujutsu by Shintokan Dojo
    Fisher Pavilion, outdoor stage
    11:30am - 12:30pm
LECTURE
  • Japan in the Schools by JASSW
    discussion on elementary school in Japan
    Armory, main stage
    11:30am - 12:00pm

Sunday 4/28

ART & ACTIVITIES
  • Japanese Cooking Demos
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    11:00am
  • Sake Tasting
    Armory loft 1
    12:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Using Cooking Knives Demos
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    2:00pm - 2:30pm, and 4:00pm - 4:30pm
  • Tea Ceremony by Urasenke
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    1:00pm - 1:30pm
  • Dance with UV Dance Squad
    Armory, stage
    1:30pm - 2:00pm
  • Ikebana by Ikebana International
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    1:30pm - 2:00pm
  • Origami Plane Contest
    Fisher Pavilion, outside
    1:30pm - 3:30pm
  • Shodo by Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu Kai
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    2:30pm - 3:30pm
  • Dance with Shumy no Kai
    Armory stage
    3:15pm - 3:30pm
  • Abacus Making
    by Hidetaka Miyanaga - Banshu Soroban
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Kibori
    by Naomi Schneider
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Kirie
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Advanced Origami by P.A.P.E.R.
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Saganishiki
    by Jan Paul
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Kumihimo
    by Kathy Warner
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Temari
    by Emily Hamilton/Becky Durham
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Mizuhiki
    by Kathy Carmichael
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Tsukamaki
    Sword grip wrapping
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Zokei Bonsai
    by Setsuko Evans
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Japanese Knives
    by Hasu-Seizo
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
  • Native Dogs of Japan
    Fisher Pavilion
    all day
FILM
  • Jikken
    About the Aono Jikken musical group, along with a selection of shorts, by Doug Ing
    Armory loft
    10:00am - 10:55am
  • Thermae Roman
    Starring Hiroshi Abe, directed by Hideki Takeuchi, and managed by Consulate- General of Japan Films
    Armory loft
    11:00am - 1:00pm
  • What Are You Anyways?
    Jeff Chiba Stearns
    Armory loft
    1:10pm - 1:20pm
  • NEVER GIVE UP! Min Yasui and the Fight for Justice
    With introduction by Barbara Yasui Q & A
    Armory loft
    1:30pm - 2:55pm
  • One Big Hapa Family
    by Jeff Chiba Stearns
    Armory loft
    3:00pm - 4:30pm
  • Surrounding Game / Kirschner's Dream
    by Chris Kirschner
    Armory loft
    4:35pm - 6:00pm
MUSIC
  • Taiko by Northwest Taiko
    Armory stage
    11:00am - 11:30am
  • Taiko by Kaze Daiko
    Fisher Pavilion, outside
    11:30pm - 12:00pm
  • Taiko by Matsuri Taiko
    Fisher Pavilion, outside
    12:30pm - 1:00pm
  • Song/Dance by Stanford International School
    Armory stage
    12:45pm - 1:00pm
  • Taiko by Seattle Kokon Taiko
    Armory stage
    2:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Dance/Shamisen by Fujima
    Armory stage
    4:00pm - 4:30pm
MARTIAL ARTS
  • Aikido by Ki Aikido USA
    Armory stage
    11:30am - 12:00pm
  • Karate by Washington Karate Association
    Fisher Pavilion, outside
    12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Iaido by Muso Shinden Ryu
    Fisher Pavilion, stage
    12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Kendo by Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation
    Armory stage
    1:00pm - 1:30pm
  • Karate by Emerald City
    Armory stage
    2:00pm - 2:30pm
  • Judo by Seattle Judo
    Armory stage
    3:30pm - 4:00pm
LECTURE
  • Japan in the Schools by JASSW
    discussion on elementary school in Japan
    Armory stage
    12:00pm - 12:30pm

ONGOING BOOTHS AND ACTIVITIES

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION
  • Shunju-Kai (JBAS)
    Friday, 4/26
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Consulate General of Japan
    all weekend
    Fisher Pavilion
  • JET/Amanogawa programs
    all weekend
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Seattle Japanese Garden
    all weekend
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Seward Park - Torii Project
    all weekend
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Japan Business Association of Seattle
    Saturday, 4/27
    Sunday, 4/28
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Japan-America Society of the State of Washington
    Saturday, 4/27
    Sunday, 4/28
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington
    Saturday, 4/27
    Sunday, 4/28
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Seattle Japanese Language School
    Saturday, 4/27
    Sunday, 4/28
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Kawabe House
    Saturday, 4/27
    Sunday, 4/28
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Kenjin Kai Prefectural Groups
    Fukushima Kenjinkai
    Kuramoto Kenjinkai
    Seattle Hiroshima Club
    Seattle Kishu Club
    Seattle Shizuoka Kenjinkai
    Seattle-Tacoma Fukuoka Kenjinkai
    Saturday, 4/27
    Sunday, 4/28
    Fisher Pavilion
  • North American Post Publishing/Soy Source
    Saturday, 4/27
    Sunday, 4/28
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Friends of Mukai
    Friday, 4/26
    Saturday, 4/27
    Fisher Pavilion
  • UW Cherry Blossom Run 2020
    all weekend
    Fisher Pavilion
  • Waterfront Seattle Project
    Friday, 4/26
    Fisher Pavilion
ART & ACTIVITIES
  • Kid's Corner
    Traditional Toys
    Kite Making and Flying
    Finger Sumo
    Top Sumo
    Chopstick Games
    Armory loft
    all weekend, open - close
  • Kimono Dress-Up
    By Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association
    Armory loft
    all weekend, open - close
  • Go Game Lessons
    By Seattle Go Center
    Armory loft
    all weekend, open - close
  • Ikebana Exhibition
    By Ikebana International
    Armory loft
    all weekend, open - close
  • Shodo Calligraphy Exhibit
    By Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu Kai and Meito Kai
    Armory loft
    all weekend, open - close
  • Sumi Art
    By Puget Sound Sumi Artists
    Armory loft
    all weekend, open - close
  • Poems by Hokubei Senryu Ginsha
    Armory loft
    all weekend, open - close
EXPLORE
lecture photo
Ikebana Emerging in the 6th century, ikebana developed from ritualized flower offerings into an art form all its own.
learn more
Shodo
Shodo Shodo, Japanese calligraphy, is a fine art form all its own and extends back a millenia. Take up a brush and experience this rich tradition!  learn more
2020 SCHEDULE

Due to COVID-19 concerns, events at this year's festival will potentially be livestreamed. Details to follow.