2025 Yozakura Festival: Cherry Blossom Viewing in the Daytime & Evening (March 22 - April 5) Gresham Japanese GardenNEW

You know the old saying, timing is everything! Peak cherry blossom blooming is relatively short, and timing peak viewing from year to year is always a moving target for GJG. Weather fluctuations play an important role.

The Gresham Japanese Garden is committed to providing engaging opportunities for the community to enjoy Japanese cultural experiences. Cherry blossom viewing in the daytime and nighttime is a big event in Japan.

The Gresham Japanese Garden has 12 mature Akebono cherry trees in Ebetsu Plaza and adjacent Ambleside Annex. These trees usually bloom at the end of March into the first week of April.

In the daytime, cherry blossom viewing is called hanami, and in past years GJG has celebrated hanami with live entertainment by Oregon Koto Kai. Nighttime viewing of cherry blossoms is called yozakura. To celebrate this year's cultural event, the Gresham Japanese Garden is offering a Yozakura Cherry Blossom Festival. We thank the Regional Arts and Cultural Council (RACC) grant for installing the electrical infrastructure into Ebetsu Plaza and Ambleside Annex.

Oregon Koto Kai will entertain you under the delicate cherry blossoms. We have two special nights planned to enjoy this ethereal cultural event. Starting March 27th, the tree lights will come on at 7pm and stay on until midnight. Bring a blanket or chair on Saturday, March 30th, and Saturday, April 6th, when Oregon Koto Kai entertains you under these delicate blossoms while you sip a cup of tea and enjoy a sakura sweet provided by GJG.

Dates
March 22 - April 5, 2025

We are planning on peak blooming of the cherry blossoms; Saturday March 22, March 29, and/or April 5, 2025. We will host Oregon Koto Kai two out of the three Saturdays dependent on when the cherry trees blossom.
Viewing Cherry Blossoms at Nighttime, 7pm - 11pm. The trees will be illuminated every night from late March to early April. Cherry blossoms are beautiful for about two weeks.

Cherry blossom viewing is an iconic tradition of Japan’s in the daytime and nighttime. For the first time during peak blooming the Gresham Japanese Garden will illuminate at nighttime thirteen mature ‘Akebono’ cherry trees displaying their delicate blossoms and ethereal beauty. Two special Saturday nights we will listen to sakura-inspired arrangements by Oregon Koto Kai while enjoying a traditional sakura snacks. Bring a blanket and enjoy the show and scenery. This is a free event.

OREGON KOTO KAI TIME:
Performances at 8pm and 8:30pm.

FESTIVAL ADDRESS INSIDE MAIN CITY PARK