The 16th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival was held on April 1 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The festival attracted more than 3,000 people from all over Alabama. People enjoyed a beautiful sunny day with Japanese cultural activities, food, music, and performances at the Japanese Gardens.

JASA welcomed Consul General Maeda, Birmingham City Council President Wardine Alexander, Daikin Taiko Force, Hiroya Tsukamoto and more!

It was the first in-person Cherry Blossom Festival since 2019 and was a meaningful cultural celebration for people in Alabama, especially the Birmingham and Central Alabama Japanese communities.

We sincerely appreciate everyone involved: sponsors, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, volunteers, performers, and vendors for making this happen.

 We look forward to seeing you again next year!

SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

10:00 – 10:30 Opening Ceremony

- Remarks from Japan-America Society of Alabama, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, City of Birmingham, Consul General of Japan in Atlanta

10:45 – 11:15 Briarwood Japanese Children’s Club Performance

11:30 – 12:00 Shinkendo of Birmingham

12:15 – 12:45 LeRon Harrison Gagaku Music Performance

1:15 – 2:00 Daikin Taiko Force

2:30 – 3:15 Hiroya Tsukamoto

3:30 – 4:00 Closing Remarks

Guests and activities

Alabama Bonsai Society, Asha Kiran,

Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Quilter's Guild,

Briarwood Japanese Children's Club, Calligraphy, Chiharu Roach,

Civil Stoneware, Consul General of Japan in Atlanta, Daikin Taiko Force,

Glitter Critter Studios, Hiroya Tsukamoto, Holbein Pottery,

Hometown Supermarket, LeRon Harrison, Nori Thai and Sushi, Origami,

PaperWorkers Local, Shinkendo of Birmingham, 

UAB Japanese Culture Club, Urasenke Birmingham Association