Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival

One of the great things about Seattle is all of the green spaces – we have so many parks, gardens, and greenbelts, I guarantee there is one within walking distance from wherever you might be right now! Some of the most beautiful spaces, in my opinion anyways, are the areas with cherry trees. This time of year, they are in full bloom and so beautiful. While there are several park sporting the happy pink blossoms, the best place to experience them is at the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Seattle Center.

Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival April 26-28

Seattle is a city of diverse roots, vibrant cultures and a vast array of reasons to celebrate. While it’s an amazing city to visit year-round in the name of nature, entertainment and the creative arts, a trip in the spring is bound to bring you to the Emerald City just in time to celebrate the Cherry Blossom and Japanese Culture Festival. This lively event is one you won’t want to miss while you’re here.

A Festival of Tradition

Hosted April 26 through April 28 at the Fisher Pavilion, the Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival is an event built on more than 40 years of tradition. In commemoration of the nation’s bicentennial, Prime Minister Takeo Miki of Japan gifted the city of Seattle with 1,000 cherry trees. In honor of this gift, the city of Seattle began hosting the Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival to commemorate this gesture of inter-cultural friendship as well as celebrate the beauty of the blossoms.

Throughout the course of the festival, guests can not only admire the blooms but are introduced to some of the most traditional and breathtaking traditions of Japanese culture. Traditional arts, activities, games, and food are on-hand throughout the festival as a means of providing guests with an interactive approach to learning the customs of Japanese culture. A variety of live performances including drumming and dance provide a stunning visual of elegance. Today, the festival retains the title of the first of its kind to be held continuously at the Seattle Center.

Festival Highlights

While the Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival continually proves to be a meaningful and exciting event in the city of Seattle, there are a few activities that find their way to the top of the must-try list for guests. Among them, the art of Shodo, or Japanese calligraphy, tends to be a fan-favorite at this festival. Guest are invited to join experts at the table and try their hand at this impressive and intricate art form. A brush and ink send guests on a journey to learning a technique that has been a part of Japanese culture for centuries. Guests looking to plan their weekend will want to note that the festival runs from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday, leaving plenty of time to taste, play and explore your way through this intriguing event.

Book a Stay in Seattle

When you’re in town for the Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival, make sure to let the team at Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals take care of your vacation accommodations. Contact us today for more information and to begin planning your next trip!

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