Take a moment to learn about everything the Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival has to offer!
Arts & Culture
The Sakura Matsuri’s Arts and Culture section provides a deeply engaging and hands-on experience of Japanese tradition, while also serving as a space for understanding the ongoing relationship and cultural impact of Japan in the United States.
Interactive Cultural Activities
This area is dedicated to giving attendees a chance to not just observe, but to participate in traditional Japanese arts and games. This direct engagement fosters a more memorable and personal connection to the culture.
Typical interactive activities and exhibits often include:
Cultural Demonstrations: Displays by various Japanese heritage organizations, which may feature historical items, regional arts, and other cultural practices.
Traditional Arts Workshops: Hands-on demonstrations and opportunities to try techniques such as:
Calligraphy (Shodo): Learning to use a brush and ink to write Japanese characters.
Origami: The art of paper folding.
Japanese Doll-making and other traditional crafts.
Bonsai: Exhibits showcasing the meticulous art of cultivating miniature trees.
Traditional Games: Many exhibitors teach and play classic games:
Go: Instructors are often on hand to teach the ancient strategy board game.
Mahjong (Japanese Riichi style): Opportunities to learn the rules and play.
Karuta: Demonstrations of this Japanese card game, often featuring the Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets).
2026 Arts & Culture Vendors
| CELESTIAL BONSAI |
| CHIBOO BAKERY |
CHIBOO Bakery is a gourmet macaron microbakery bringing unique flavors and fun designs! Flavor highlights: Sakura, Uji Matcha, Hojicha and Black Sesame
| DC Riichi Mahjong |
Learn the basics and experience the thrill of Japanese Mahjong!
| Dolci Gelati |
Visit our gelato cart for handcrafted Italian Gelato and Sorbetto with a Japanese twist! Enjoy unique, Japan-inspired flavors made fresh.
| Gratitude, compassion, wisdom – Learn more with our diverse sangha at our American Shin Buddhist temple in northern VA. |
| International Student Conferences (ISC) / National Association for Black Engagement with Asia (NABEA) |
Join ISC and NABEA to play Japanese games and learn about our programs.
| Japan Rail Modelers of Washington DC |
Japanese N Scale model train display with Japanese trains and scenes.
| Japanese Americans’ Care Fund |
Experience Japanese calligraphy and origami. Also, kimonos, Manga, Japanese studying materials, and Japanese household items are available.
| Matcha Cafe Maiko Tysons |
Matcha Everything (Drinks, Soft Serve, Powder)
| Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation |
| National Asian Heritage Festival Fiesta Asia |
Previewing interactive Asian Art & Craft activities & an immersive cultural booth experience
| National Go Center |
Presenting the game of Go, one of the four talents of a cultured person in ancient Japan.
| Oishii |
Oishii is excited to return to the Sakura Matsuri with the world’s most delicious Strawberries, fresh from our Smart Farm, the pioneer of sustainable agriculture!
| Pearl Fine Teas |
Pearl Fine Teas is a woman-owned tea business specializing in direct source premium loose leaf teas and herbals blends.
| Reischauer Center |
Learn about Japanese culture, enjoy Japanese activities, and learn about the Reischauer Center!
| ROYCE’ Chocolate |
Precisely crafted using only the highest quality ingredients, ROYCE’ has been making exquisite, world class confections in Hokkaido.
| Sasakawa USA |
Join Sasakawa USA and the Embassy of Japan’s Defense Section to discuss the U.S.-Japan alliance.
| Study Japanese in Arlington |
Discover SJA through origami making, relaxed Japanese conversation practice, and authentic matcha tasting that highlights culture, creativity, and connection.
| TABLE FOR TWO USA |
Join our fun #EdamameChamp Chopsticks Challenge and discover Japanese bento culture while supporting food education!
| Temple University, Japan Campus |
Japanese Card Making Studio: Decorate a card with Japanese characters!
| Toimoi Bakery |
Asian-fusion croissants (think mango mochi, black sesame marshmallow) + fresh bakes at TOIMOI’s buzzing tent.
| Washington DC Inishie Karuta Club |
We exhibit various Hyakunin-isshu karuta cards and related books and demonstrate kyogi karuta. The audience joins in the games, too.
| Yama the Firetruck |
This working kei fire engine protected Fukui Prefecture from fire starting in 1993.
Ginza Marketplace
Named after Tokyo’s premier luxury shopping district, the Ginza Marketplace is the festival’s dedicated retail hub, offering a curated experience for those looking to bring a piece of Japanese aesthetics, craftsmanship, and seasonal beauty home. The vendors in this section showcase a blend of authentic imports and locally made, Japan-inspired creations. In essence, the Ginza Marketplace is an economic and cultural exchange that connects the spirit of Japan’s most stylish shopping district with the springtime tradition of the cherry blossoms, ensuring every attendee can find a beautiful, meaningful souvenir.
2026 Ginza Marketplace Vendors Coming Soon!
Taste of Japan
Food! It’s one of the best things about Sakura Matsuri. With more Japanese food vendors than ever before and mouth-watering options from around the world, Sakura Matsuri has something to suit everyone’s taste.
Beer Garden Sponsor
Must Visit
Kirin Beer Gardens
Whether you choose to relax in our beer garden area with your friends and family or walk around the Matsuri, there is nothing more refreshing than a draft Kirin beer while you enjoy the festival.
Hakutsuru Sake 101 Experience
Enjoy a staple of Japanese springtime celebrations as you sample 7 different sakes and learn about the sake brewing process.
Brought to you by Hakutsuru Sake, one of Japan’s most famous and iconic sake brewers.
Matsuri Market
For snacks and drinks on the go, we have three Matsuri Markets where you can pick up water, Japanese and US refreshments, and a wide selection of Japanese snacks. There is a Matsuri Market next to each of the entrances to the Matsuri.
And be sure to visit the Matsuri Market tents for all official Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival merchandise!
* Drink responsibly! A 100% ID check will be enforced.
2026 Food Vendors Coming Soon!
Japan Now
The Japan Now section of the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival is a vibrant, modern area dedicated to showcasing contemporary Japanese popular culture, lifestyle, and commerce. It provides a dynamic contrast to the festival’s more traditional Arts & Culture area.
This area is designed to immerse visitors in the exciting trends of modern Japan, offering a blend of shopping, technology, and interactive experiences.
- Retail and Shopping: Japan Now, along with the Ginza Marketplace, is a prime destination for attendees looking to purchase authentic Japanese and Japanese-inspired products. This includes merchandise related to pop culture, fashion, and unique commercial goods.
- Modern Entertainment (Japan Wow! Pavilion): A central feature is often the Japan Wow! Pavilion, which blends traditional Japanese fun with cutting-edge technology.
- VR Zone: Attendees can try out the latest Japanese-inspired Virtual Reality (VR) games, often featuring unique art styles, rhythm-based challenges, or experiences inspired by anime and J-Pop.
- Akiba Cafe: Inspired by the unique café culture of Akihabara (Tokyo’s electronic and pop culture district), this is a social and interactive space. Local staff, often in themed attire, act as cultural guides, teaching attendees a variety of popular traditional Japanese games (like board games, card games, or tabletop challenges) in a relaxed setting.
- J-Pop and Youth Culture: The area often highlights aspects of J-Pop (Japanese Pop Culture), including anime, manga, and fashion. This appeals directly to the young-at-heart and fans of modern Japanese media.
In essence, the Japan Now section is the festival’s hub for experiencing the current, cutting-edge, and playful side of Japan, offering unique shopping and hands-on engagement with modern Japanese trends and technology.
