The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival is Back at The Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center With Tea Ceremonies, Live Music & More
It’s that time of year again. The picturesque backdrop of the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center (Lansdowne Dr &, Horticultural Dr.) will be the setting for the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival. Each year visitors come to the weekend-long festival to watch and partake in Japanese tradition while celebrating the national festival.
What sprouted from the simple gift of cherry blossoms from Tokyo City Mayor Yukio Ozaki to the city of Washington D.C in 1912, has flourished into a nationwide tradition of celebrating Japanese culture. Now Philly’s own Japanese cultural center is carry the tradition with a unique line-up of entertainment. Whether a family outing, planning a date, or just want to be immersed in ancient customs, the festival has a little something for everyone.
The festival kicks-off April 14th with the centerpiece event of festival, the Sakura Weekend taking place Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16, 10:30 AM – 4 PM at the Horticulture Center and Centennial Arboretum in West Fairmount Park. Additional programming will be happening throughout April at different venues, including a film retrospective at Lightbox Film Center, cultural demonstrations, sushi classes, and seminars.
Admission to the Sakura Weekend is free to the public and non-ticketed except for its Friday night kick-off event. Saturday and Sunday, you can “pay what you wish” to support their works in offering more accessible and inclusive programming. Donors will be entered in a raffle to win select prizes, including roundtrip tickets to Japan (for one person). This year’s Sakura weekend features live demonstrations, two stages of live music, tea ceremonies and a pop-up beer garden. See full list of activities below:
April 14th -Sakura Weekend Kick-Off Night
Experience the traditional Japanese arts of Rakugo storytelling and sanshin at the Fallser club 7 pm- 10 pm. Admission to this event is $20 and will also featureA koto performance by Mirai Yasuyama and the Keystone Japan Club. The koto is a Japanese plucked half-tube zither instrument, and the national instrument of Japan. Tickets are available here.
April 15th Sakura Saturday Program
Featured Performers:
Main Stage
10:30 AM HohDaiko
11 AM Karen Smith – Sistahs Laying Down Hands
11:30 AM KyoDaiko
12:30 PM Gabe Preston
1:30 PM Badd Kitti – Philadelphia’s Queen of Funk
2:30 PM Casual Fifth
3:30 PM Brown Rice Family
Second Stage
12:30 PM Rino Aise
Kimono Fashion Show by Drexel University Students
Featured Activities:
Tea Ceremony
Ikebana Demonstrations
Kimono & Yukata Dressings
Shogi Teaching and Playing
Pop-up Beer Garden by Triple Bottom Brewing – just outside Shofuso’s walls!
Vendor Fair with Japanese food & wares
April 16th– Sakura Weekend
FEATURED PERFORMERS
Main Stage:
10:30 AM Tamagawa University Taiko Drum and Dance Troupe
12 PM Rino Aise + 10tecomai Yosakoi
1 PM Masaru Koga
2 PM Tamagawa University Taiko Drum and Dance Troupe
3 PM Yoko Nakahashi Fellowship Ensemble
3:30 PM Swarthmore Taiko Ensemble
Second Stage:
12 PM Keystone Japan Club Choir
12:30 PM Acarajé
Martial Arts Demonstrations
FEATURED ACTIVITIES
Inside the Horticulture Center:
Tea Ceremony
Ikebana Workshops (12 PM – Click here to register »)
Kimono & Yukata Dressings
Origami Workshops
Subaru Sushi Samurai of the Year Contest
In the park:
Prettiest Pet in Pink Parade
Pop-up Beer Garden by Triple Bottom Brewing – just outside Shofuso’s walls!
Vendor Fair with Japanese food & wares
