About the Festival

Welcome to the world of the cherry blossoms (sakura). Few things in nature can equal their delicate beauty. Come celebrate it with us! This spring, from March 23 - April 21, Philadelphia's beautiful flowering trees will come into bloom for Sakura Matsuri - the Cherry Blossom Festival.

A program of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadephia, the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia is an initiative to encourage a better understanding of the  cultural, social, and educational customs of Japan and the United States. For hundreds of years, Japan has been celebrating the beauty of the elegant pink cherry blossom with picnics under the trees accompanied by traditional music and dance. Set under the blossoming canopy of Philadelphia’s cherry trees, our Festival is a chance toexperience a centuries-old tradition that celebrates the fleeting splendor of spring like no other. Join tens of thousands in savoring the fruits of Japan’s rich cultural heritage before the flowers fall!

The Festival benefits the JASGP Community Tree Planting Project, which seeks to beautify the Philadelphia landscape by annually planting and maintaining cherry trees in Philadelphia parks. In the spring of 2007, the JASGP finished planting 1,000 cherry trees to supplement the 1,600 flowering trees donated by Japanese government as a gesture of friendship in 1926. 

The 2012 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival will take place from March 23 to April 21-- be part of a centuries-old tradition as we bring together the best in Japanese art, cuisine, dance, fashion, flowers, music and much more.

Dozo, oide kudasai! We look forward to seeing you.