From Japan to Philly: The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry Blossom is undoubtedly the best way to welcome spring. It's the flowering season of the beautiful cherry trees, known as Sakura in Japan. Cherry Blossom is also celebrated here in Philadelphia, offering the opportunity to learn about ancient Japanese culture and admire the beauty of these trees, which we enjoy in the city thanks to the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP).

This year, the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival in Philadelphia will take place from April 6th to 14th and will include various events you can attend with the family. A week of performances of traditional Japanese music, film, and dance, art, sushi and matcha tea making classes, as well as contemporary Japanese cosplay and anime culture.

This festival closes on Sunday, April 14th with Sakura Sunday, which will transform the Horticultural Center in Fairmount Park into a grand Japanese cultural experience with traditional Japanese food, music, dance, martial arts demonstrations, the Little Akiba anime and cosplay, and also with visits to Shofuso, a 17th-century Japanese house that will remain open every day until 7 pm during the week of the festival.

Have you already decided to visit Japan without leaving Philadelphia? Then consider the following dates during the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival:

• From Saturday 6th to Saturday 13th of Aprill (except Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th) the Shofuso House will open its doors until 7 pm
• April 6, 7, 12 and 13 Sake Garden in Shofuso, where you can enjoy beer, cocktails, and Asian fusion dishes under the trees of Fairmount Park.
• Sunday, April 7 at 1:00 and 2:30 pm Nodate Tea Ceremony. Learn about the tea ceremony and try matcha tea.
• From April 7th to 10th and 12th and 13th Sushi Classes.  Learn to make sushi or join the amateur competition. The class costs $65 and will be held at Tokyo Headhouse.
• Wednesday, April 10:  Free movie. Screening of the Japanese film “I Wish” at Annenberg 111, University of Pennsylvania.
• Saturday, April 13: Cherry Blossom 10k/5k. Walk or run under the cherry trees. Registration is required and the cost is between $25 and $35.
• Saturday, April 13: Drum classes. Japanese taiko drumming for beginners at a cost of $25 per person.
• Sunday, April 14:  Closing the festival with Sakura Sunday! 

To obtain detailed information about the event and the places where the activities will take place, you can visit the page of Japan American Society.