Sakura Matsuri - The Crowds Still Came

It was perhaps the worst weather in years, but somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 people still came to see the Society's 45th Annual Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival, and they loved it. In fact, almost half the respondents to our on-line survey rated the Festival as "great."

As one visitor said, "I am so impressed--I had a wonderful time. The food was delicious, I bought a lovely handpanted cherry blossom picture, and I loved watching all of the performing arts and taiko troupe. I had a great time, and I will be attending again next year."

Our latest addition, J-POP Land, which featured popular Japanese youth culture, was a hit. "J-POP Land was amazing!" said a message on our website, and another wrote, "J-Pop land... really kept the festival fresh. It motivated me to come again this year to see something different and more youth-oriented at the festival. I hope you continue to include it!"

Special thanks are owed to Reiko Hirai, the Society's Sakura Matsuri Coordinator; Lyle Blanchard, the Sakura Matsuri Chairperson; our 18 committee chairs, and the over 350 volunteers who came to help on a cold, rainy Saturday.

We'll back again next year -- so mark your calendar for Saturday, April 14, 2007.

Photograph: The Washington Toho Koto Society provides the traditional opening of the Festival. Photograph by Eric Gushee.