2023 - The 61st Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival - Japanese Street Festival is Largest Celebration of Japanese Culture in US (2 Days)NEW

'The Sakura Matsuri -- Japanese Street Festival event is the largest one-day exhibition event of Japanese culture in the United States, drawing over 160,000 visitors in just one day.

The Sakura Matsuri covers six square blocks of downtown DC. It will take place on Saturday after the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Sakura Matsuri Festival Dates
April 15-16, 2023 (Saturday & Sunday)

Festival Times
Sat: 10:30 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

Ticket Costs
Coming

Rain or Shine

Sakura Matsuri Festival Location
Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd & 7th Street NW
555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001

Festival Background
Sponsored by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC, the Sakura Matsuri is centered at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, with easy access from the Metro Federal Triangle stop.

Japanese food and music, arts and crafts, geisha, sumo, anime and manga, martial arts, sake, taiko drums, ikebana and bonsai. No matter what, if it's Japanese, it's at the Sakura Matsuri.

'Last year the Matsuri drew over 160,000 visitors,' said Ambassador John R. Mallot, President of the Japan-America Society of Washington DC. 'That's because it's fun, it's free, and it's family-friendly. The parade and the Sakura Matsuri make a great double-header, and they're a fantastic way to spend the day.'

Traditional Japanese performing Arts on these stages -- including koto music, classical and folk dances, the dramatic taiko drums, Japanese street performers, and a special appearance by four geisha, direct from Tokyo.

Martial Arts demonstrations on Freedom Plaza, including karate, aikido, sumo, and kyudo.

Japan Arts, Crafts, Culture, and Game demonstrations and displays, where visitors meet the artists and craftsmen and touch, see, and learn all about Japan.

J-Pop Land celebrates Japan's modern, youthful culture, from pop music to anime and fashion. It includes a special pavilion to introduce Japanese pop culture, sponsored by Westwood College and shops that appeal to the young at heart.

The Ginza Marketplace, features Japanese products for sale -- from kimono to Japanaese dolls. Among new vendors this year are Wuhao (Japanese tenugui textiles), Utsuwa-no-Yakata (Japanese dishes and pottery), and Greeting Life (Japanese greeting cards).

Taste of Japan is the most popular area of the festival, with 15 Japanese and Asian restaurants, two Japanese Beer Gardens with Kirin Ichiban beer, and a sake tasting are with a range of products Hakutsuru, one of Japan's leading sake brewers.

Four Matsuri Markets sell a wide variety of soft drinks from Coca-Cola, matsuri T-shirts, Ito-en Tea, and Japanese snacks.

A new Children's Corner, an interactive hands-on area where volunteers from the JET Alumni Association will introduce a variety of traditional Japanese activities, from origami (Japanese paper-folding) to Japanese games, language, and story-telling.

Sakura Matsuri Festival
The Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival - Japan-America Society of Washington

Festival Title
2023 - The 61st Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival (Largest Exhibition Event of Japanese Culture in the United States)