Don't Miss the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival

Spring is here and so are the cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom festival is a common celebration in Japanese culture that welcomes spring and takes a moment to awe at nature and the brevity of life.

If you’re visiting SF in spring, you’re in luck. For one, you can see the cherry blossoms bloom around the city, especially the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. Secondly, SF boasts one of three Japantowns in the U.S. and one of the largest cherry blossom festivals, spanning two weekends in April.

Within the limits of Japantown there will be a constant flow of performances, live bands, martial arts and food vendors. Here  of this year’s Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, running April 9-17  that you don’t want to miss.

Food

Though there is lots to do and see at the Cherry Blossom Festival, we come for the food! In fact, SFGate highlighted San Francisco's most sought after hamburger - which happens to be located at the Cherry Blossom Festival each year. #funfact Did you know that all of the food vendors at this annual even represent non-profits? So by eating great food, you're also supporting many worthy causes!

Sakura 360

In case you didn’t know, “sakura” is the word for cherry blossom. This event celebrates the exchange between the U.S. and Japan in the medium of pop culture, anime, gaming, fashion and music. The fashion shows planned should be especially fun. 

Taiko Festival

Taiko simply means “drum” in Japanese. According to the Taiko Center, taiko drumming spans back over 2,000 years and was used in religious rituals. The rhythms are moving and Samurai warrior-level powerful. The SF Taiko DoJo will perform along with other drum groups at the Taiko Festival, held at the Japanese Cultural Community Center. The SF Taiko DoJo ensemble has had music featured in Apocalypse Now!, Return of the Jedi and Rising Sun.

From Stanford Court Hotel, Japantown is just 1.5 miles away. Ask our guides for your best transport options.

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