WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Japan-America Society of Washington DC’s (JASWDC) Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival, the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States, returns this spring as an in-person celebration for its 60th Anniversary. The Matsuri will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10, 2022.

On its 60th anniversary, the Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival moves from a one-day to a two-day festival for the first time in its history. This marks not only the importance of the United States-Japan relationship in our Nation’s Capitol, but also Japan’s special legacy in the District of Columbia since its gift of cherry trees to our region 110 years ago. Japan-America Society of Washington DC’s Sakura Matsuri is normally the largest event of Washington DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival and is proud to participate in the National Cherry Blossom Festival as a Premier Event.

This year’s Festival will stretch from 3rd to 7th streets NW on Pennsylvania Ave at the base of Capitol Hill, featuring over 24 hours of Japanese performances and cultural presentations, authentic Japanese food and beverages, handmade Japanese crafts, and more. New to the Festival this year are two feature exhibits. At the Beyond Tokyo Pavilion: Regions of Japan, attendees can get excited about their next trip to Japan by learning about Japan’s celebrated regional diversity and specialization. The Matsuri’s Japan Smart Infrastructure Pavilion showcases some of the cutting-edge Japanese technologies, products, and services that will help define the future infrastructure of American life. JASWDC is also thrilled to announce the return of the Culinary Arts Pavilion and Stage, showcasing Japanese food culture, from the traditional method of preparing fish (“ike jime”), to the art of enjoying Japanese shochu.

The Matsuri’s three stages and five unique areas will return with a mix of new and legacy exhibitors. The Taste of Japan area invites attendees to explore the flavors of Japan with over 20 food vendors, four Kirin Beer Gardens, and the Hakutsuru Sake Tasting Pavilion. Attendees can engage in hands-on cultural experiences in the Arts & Culture area with 30 Japanese exhibitions of everything from doll-making and calligraphy to bonsai. For those in the mood to shop, the Ginza Marketplace and Japan Now areas are guaranteed to tempt with a colorful array of authentic Japanese products. The Matsuri’s Children’s Corner returns with family-friendly activities. The Sakura Matsuri website sakurmatsuri.org will have performance and feature updates as April 9th approaches.

Japan-America Society of Washington DC is proud to welcome Kirin Beer as a Presenting Sponsor and Yankee Candle as an Anchor Sponsor of this year’s Sakura Matsuri.

Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival celebrates the cherry trees that Japan gifted to the United States over 110 years ago, and which have come to define springtime in the Nation’s Capital. We are proud to join this cooperative effort alongside the Government of the District of Columbia, the Embassy of Japan, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., National Conference of State Societies, the National Park Service, and many other dedicated partner organizations.

Tickets

Early-bird tickets are available at https://sakuramatsuri.org/ for $10/$15 for one-day/two days. Special tickets are also available for purchase, including the Sake Fast Pass and Family Package. Regular ticket price is $15 for a single-day ticket, and will be available from April 8 at sakuramatsuri.org and as walk-up sales or on-site. JASWDC encourages all participants to purchase in advance to expedite entry.

Children 12 and under receive free admission to the Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival.

Local high schools may inquire with [email protected] about the availability of complimentary tickets through JASWDC’s Sakura Matsuri in Local Schools (SMILES) program.

Hours of Operation

Festival hours are 10:30AM-6:00PM on Saturday, April 9th, and 10:30 AM-4:00 PM on Sunday, April 10th.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

JASWDC will strictly adhere to DC Government public health guidance related to outdoor public events. JASWDC asks that attendees refrain from attending if experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms. JASWDC continues to closely monitor the situation and will update guidance as warranted by circumstances. Follow JASWDC Twitter (@jas_wdc), Facebook (@jas.wdc), and Instagram (@jaswdc) feeds for further information and updates or visit www.sakuramatsuri.org.

Press Contacts

For more information regarding the Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival, please contact Colette H. Fozard with the Japan-America Society of Washington DC at [email protected] or call (202) 833-2210. For media access, please contact Olivia Kent at [email protected].

About the Japan-America Society of Washington DC

The Japan-America Society of Washington DC is a 501(c)(3) educational and cultural non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the U.S. at the grassroots public diplomacy level. Our programming aims to bring Japanese and American people closer together in the Nation’s Capital area.