The Japanese American Association will hold its 19th Sakura Matsuri at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Saturday, April 20. The program begins at 11:00 a.m. rain or shine and features performances by taiko drumming group Soh Daiko, the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York, the JAA Chorus with Japan Choral Harmony “TOMO,” and the New York Okinawa Club & Jimpu-Kai New York. In addition, there will be a tea ceremony on the lawn by the Urasenke Tea Ceremony Society. Yours truly is honored to serve as emcee.

Bring a blanket and a bento and enjoy the cherry blossoms!

For more information, please visit JAA’s website.

Cherry trees planted by the Parks Department for JAA in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

JAA’s Honorees

This year a cherry tree will be planted in honor of the late Dr. George and Mrs. Kazuko Nagamatsu for their years of generous support of JAA. Dr. Nagamatsu was a pioneering urologist and engineer who was the first Nisei (second-generation Japanese American) to be named Chairman of Urology at a major U.S. medical school when he took the position at New York Medical College in 1957. As a recipient of JAA’s Project Bento initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Nagamatsu felt a closeness with the organization and named JAA one of the beneficiaries in her will when she passed away in 2021.

The History of JAA’s Sakura Trees

Symbolizing the friendship between Japan and the U.S., in 1912 Japan gave a gift of sakura trees the Washington, D.C., as well as 2,000 sakura trees to New York City, thirteen of which were planted in Claremont Park, now Sakura Park. JAA’s “21st Century New York Cherry Blossom Project” began on Arbor Day, April 24, 1992, at City Hall Park. Sakura seeds donated by The Cherry Association of Japan were presented by then JAA President Shigeru Inagaki to Betsy Gotbaum, then Commissioner of New York Parks. The seeds were nursed in the greenhouses of Van Cortlandt Park, and JAA volunteers planted 168 trees in a design created by the noted landscape artist Kan Domoto with George Yuzawa in 2001. Working in close cooperation with the Flushing Meadows Corona Park staff, JAA has donated and planted hundreds of sakura trees.

Disclosure: The author is a Vice President of The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. and the chair of JAA’s Sakura Matsuri committee.

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Susan McCormac 6/7/23 Susan McCormac 6/7/23

JAPAN Fes Returns to Midtown West

JAPAN Fes

Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Midtown West – 8th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets

Admission: Free

There will be tons of drool-worthy Japanese food at JAPAN Fes on Saturday June 10 at Midtown West! Alongside the remarkable assortment of vendors such as Oconomi, Karl’s Balls, and Menya Jiro, JAPAN Fes welcomes the globally acclaimed Taiwanese bubble tea brand Tiger Sugar. Featured in Thrillist, Food Insider, Eater, and Cosmopolitan, Tiger Sugar will have an exclusive, one-day-only strawberry matcha latte available for JAPAN Fes attendees.

Savor fluffy okonomiyaki, slurp up flavorful ramen, indulge in matcha- and mochi-filled sweets, and satisfy your delicious Japanese cravings all in one place. Make sure to be hungry when you get there!

For full details on each vendor, please visit JAPAN Fes’s website and Facebook page.

Stamp Card

It wouldn’t be a true Japanese festival without a stamp rally! This year, JAPAN Fes introduced its new digital stamp card for attendees.

How It Works

Get the Stamp Card
Download the free JAPAN Fes Digital Card to your phone through their website or visit the JAPAN Fes tent on the day of a street fair to scan the QR code. You can conveniently store the card in your phone’s wallet.

Collect Stamps
Each time you attend an event, stop by the JAPAN Fes tent and receive one stamp.

Receive Rewards
Once you reach 5, 10, 15 and 20 stamps, you'll have the option to get rewards.

5 stamps = Original Merchandise

10 stamps = Original Merchandise

15 stamps = VIP (first pass) to skip the lines for your favorite foods

20 stamps = Become an official JAPAN Fes ambassador

Remaining JAPAN Fes Schedule

June 10 in Midtown West
June 17 in East Village
June 18 in Park Slope, Brooklyn
July 2 in Astoria
July 15 in Chelsea
August 26 in East Village
August 27 in East Village
September 9 in Upper East Side
September 16 in Chelsea – Konamon Contest
September 17 in Chelsea – Konamon Contest
October 7 in East Village – Ramen Contest
October 8 in Upper West Side – Ramen Contest
October 28 in East Village

JAA’s Sakura Matsuri in Queens

JAA 19th Sakura Matsuri