Games
At 4,000 years of age, Go is the oldest board game in the world. Like chess, its rules are simple, but its strategy can take decades to master..read more
Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival
JAPAN AMERICA CENTER SEATTLE
About the Festival
Founded on a sunny afternoon on the warm grass of Seattle’s Seward Park on May 8, 1976,
the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival has grown to become a three-day celebration enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people.
Thanks for coming!
This year's festival has concluded. Special thanks to our guest artists, and all the volunteers that make all this possible.
Past Events: Hanami
On April 5, 2010, Japan and America's respective space agencies sent cherry blossoms to the International Space Station to commemorate 150 years of diplomatic relations.
About the Festival
Thanks for coming!
Past Events: Hanami
WHO WE ARE
Welcome to the Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival! Each year we put on a weekend-long celebration of Japanese and Japanese-American culture.
OUR HISTORY
The Festival was initiated by a gift of 1,000 cherry trees that were given to Seattle on May 8, 1976, by Japan’s former Prime Minister, Takeo Miki, in commemoration of America’s bicentennial and the long friendship between the people of Japan and Washington...read more
EXPLORE
Shodo
Shodo, Japanese calligraphy, is a fine art form all its own and extends back a millenia. Take up a brush and experience this rich tradition! learn more
2018 SCHEDULE
We are currently in the process of planning next year's event.