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Over two days, Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival brings Japan into the heart of the Nation’s Capitol. Stretching from 3rd to 7th Streets NW on Pennsylvania Ave at the base of Capitol Hill, the festival features over 24 hours of Japanese cultural performances, authentic Japanese food and beverages, handmade Japanese crafts, and so much more.
Japan-America Society of Washington DC’s Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival, along with our National Japan Bowl Japanese Language Competition, celebrate 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 Capitol. We are proud to join this cooperative effort alongside the Embassy of Japan, the Government of the District of Columbia, the National Park Service, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., National Conference of State Societies, and many other dedicated partner organizations. The Sakura Matsuri is proud to participate in the National Cherry Blossom Festival as a Premier Event.
Sakura Matsuri Mascot
Sakura Usagi, or Sakura-chan, had always wanted to visit the United States and was thrilled when JASWDC offered her the position of Sakura Matsuri Mascot. As a rabbit, she symbolizes springtime, harmony, and good luck in Japan.
Now, she works hard every spring to bring Japanese culture to Washington, DC. Hop over to the Sakura Matsuri to see Sakura-chan and everything she’s brought with her from Japan!
As the mascot for the Sakura Matsuri, Sakura-chan will be the face of the festival, and you’ll see her throughout the website. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more fun facts about and activities with Sakura-chan.
