Category Archives: Uncategorized

Area Schedules: Sakura Pavilion (Tea Ceremony)

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Come and join the Urasenke Chado Philadelphia during Sakura Sunday to learn about the art and beauty of the Japanese tea ceremony! Japanese tea ceremony, also known as chanoyu or chado, is an art form, a social gathering, a meditative practice, and a way to connect with other people. Urasenke Philadelphia is a branch of the Urasenke school of chado headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. The tea ceremony will be ongoing through the day, so come over to the Pavilion to get a taste of the event! For any more questions, visit our stage schedule or … Continue reading →

Area Schedules: Little Akiba a.k.a. Cosplay Circle

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Sakura Sunday’s official area focused on anime, manga, and other forms of Japanese pop culture will return this year. Located at the rear of the Horticultural Building, Little Akiba is named after one of Tokyo’s most famous districts – Akihabara– the place for all things otaku! In addition to vendors of anime/manga-related goods, this hotspot will also include: Harajuku Fashion Show This year, Smak Parlour will be showcasing Harajuku-inspired outfits on both the main stage and Little Akiba’s runway! Don’t miss the beautiful outfits on display at 12:15 on the main stage, or at 1:00 pm in Little Akiba. … Continue reading →

Area Schedules: Matsuri Village ( Family Area )

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Coming to Sakura Sunday for some neat demonstrations of various Japanese cultural activities? Check out Matsuri Village to immerse yourself with a display of a wide variety of specialized arts and enjoy various fun activities for kids and adults alike. Come get your hands dirty with sand art (courtesy of It’s A Print Shop), or your face painted with Japan Association of Greater Philadelphia (JAGP). If face paint isn’t your thing, they will also be providing fortune-telling. Check out the events that Matsuri Village has to offer: Martial Arts Demonstrations Come join … Continue reading →

Area Schedules: Sundial (Prettiest in Pink Contest)

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Pets are more than welcome at the Sakura Festival, and are the star of the show in the Prettiest in Pink Contest! With up to 20 pups to judge, it’s up to the audience to vote on the prettiest of pets. Spectators  If you’re just watching, the action begins at the Sun Dial around 12:45 pm (full schedule), but come early to make sure you get a good vantage point. Fan voting will commence as soon as the parade finishes and the winner should be announced around 1:30 pm. Parade Your Pet  If … Continue reading →

Performer Profile: Aco Tomine

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Aco Tomine is a Singer/accordionist/composer who was born and grew up in Yokohama. With her accordion, Aco sings old Japanese folk songs (called Min-yoh) in a contemporary style as well as her own original folk songs. Her traditional music is woven with a modern flair so that everyone can enjoy a taste of Japanese folk music. Tomine has recently performed in Paris, Bangkok and Singapore. After starting her career in 2008, Tomine’s live performances (over 150 a year) range from singing at concerts, Rakugo theaters and bars. She has visited … Continue reading →