Returning to Sakura Matsuri

There are some places that hold your history quietly.

For me, Sakura Matsuri — the Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival — is one of them.

Ever since my parents started our small Japanese green tea business, we’ve participated in this festival almost every year. I must have been around 10 years old when I first began attending.

Now, I return in a different way.

This year, Flowering Waters will be participating at Seattle Center:

📅 April 10–12 (FW will be there 11-13)

⏰ 11AM–5PM

🍵 I will be present Saturday and Sunday

Alongside Tokaragashi, we’ll be offering a more traditional tea experience:

• Matcha (ippuku)

• Wagashi + matcha pairings

No lattes this time — just a return to the roots.

Sakura Matsuri is one of Seattle Center’s longest-running festivals, created to celebrate and share Japanese and Japanese American culture through performance, art, food, and education.

The festival itself began as a commemoration of 1,000 cherry trees gifted to Seattle — a symbol of friendship and cultural exchange.

Cherry blossoms, or sakura, have long symbolized the fleeting nature of life.

Their beauty is brief.

And because of that, deeply meaningful.

“Hanami,” the tradition of viewing blossoms, is not just about flowers — it is about appreciating the present moment.

This festival embodies that spirit.

A place where tradition and modern life meet.

Where community gathers.

Where culture is shared and honored.

If you find yourself there, I hope you take a moment — between performances, food, and conversation — to pause.

And maybe join us for a bowl of tea.

Wagashi offerings will be announced Friday.

#SakuraMatsuri

#SeattleEvents

#JapaneseFestival

#Matcha

#FloweringWaters

Japanese:

#桜祭り

#日本文化

#抹茶

#和菓子

#花見