Festival Areas
In San Francisco’s Japantown, it has become a tradition to stage a massive binational, bicultural celebration that coincides with the blooming of the cherry blossoms. Hundreds of artists from the Bay Area and across the Pacific gather at the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival to share their craft and passion with our spectators every year. Please join the festivities across our festival areas by shopping the Arts & Crafts Area along Post Street, enjoying festival eats at the Food Bazaar, and watching live performances on our main stage Japantown’s Peace Plaza.
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AMC Kabuki 81881 Post St
AMC Kabuki 8 is a movie theater in the Japan Center complex. On the last Saturday of the Festival, artists from Japan perform at this indoor venue. Refer to the schedule for this year's program.
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Art & Crafts Area and Non-Profit Information Boothsalong Post Street
The Arts and Crafts Area is an outdoor marketplace featuring Japanese- and Asian-inspired cultural arts and crafts, curated by our Arts & Crafts Fair committee. The area is unique to this Festival as we invite independent artisans across the country who make and/or design all of their own products. You will find art decor for your home, apparel and lifestyle items, handcrafted jewelry, handbags, and plenty of special gifts!
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The Center1840 Sutter Street
The Center -- formerly the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California or JCCCNC -- is one of the Festival’s major indoor venues. The venue hosts exquisite cultural art exhibits including ikebana (flower arrangement), kimekomi ningyo (wooden Mataro dolls), shishu (embroidery), and washi ningyo (intricately detailed 3D Japanese paper dolls). Interactive exhibits include shodo (calligraphy) and hyakunin isshu (poetry card games). Visitors will be surrounded by authentic performances of both classical and folk music and dances in traditional costumes. Refer to the schedule (coming soon) for the list of performers.
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Cowell Theater in Fort Mason2 Marina Blvd
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program Night is hosted at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture's Cowell Theater. The venue is located at the north end of Pier 2, adjacent to the San Francisco Art Institute.
On Program Night, the candidates will showcase their speech, interview, and creative expression, as judges select them to represent the community. Please come support the court candidates as they take the first step on their journey as young leaders and representatives of the Japanese American community.
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George Yamasaki, Jr. (Peace Plaza) Stage1610 Geary Boulevard
The George Yamasaki, Jr. Stage is the Festival's primary outdoor stage situated by the Peace Pagoda. On the first day of the Festival, you can experience the Opening Ceremony (including the Kagami Biraki) and congratulate the Student Scholarship winners. The dynamic performances range from dance, music, to martial arts. On the last day of the Festival, winners of the raffle prizes are anounced at this stage. Grab a seat and enjoy the excitement!
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Non-Profit Food Bazaar & Sapporo Beer GardenWebster Street, between Post & Sutter Streets
Over 30 nonprofit organizations serve food and drinks at our Non-Profit Food Bazaar from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Tables and benches are available nearby with live musical entertainment from the Webster Street Stage!
The Sapporo Beer Garden serves thousands of visitors every year. Must be 21 years and older to enter.
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National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS)1684 Post Street
NJAHS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, authentic interpretation, and sharing of historical information of the Japanese American experience. They showcase ground-breaking exhibitions and educational events. Refer to the Schedule for this year's exhibit information.
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Paper Tree1743 Buchanan Street
Paper Tree hosts origami demonstrations and exhibits during the Festival. Be sure to stop by for elegant Japanese paper products for origami and Asian-inspired stationery!
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Post & BuchananPost Street at Buchanan Street is a central landmark for the Festival. Within 360 degrees, you will see the Information Booth, Peace Plaza, and the entrance to the East Mall (to get to the Union Bank Community Room).
The Children's Village, Arts & Crafts vendors, and Nonprofit Information booths can be found along Post Street. Signature activities such as the Mochi Tsuki (mochi pounding ceremony), Mikoshi Purification Ceremony, and the Parade all make their mark at this pivotal location.
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Tateuchi Auditorium at Nihonmachi Little Friends1830 Sutter Street
Be sure to catch Chanoyu (or the Way of Tea) on the first 3 days of the Festival at the Tateuchi Auditorium within the Nihonmachi Little Friends building. The Chanoyu demonstrations are about 30 minutes in length, and begin at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.
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Union Bank Community Room1675 Post Street / Japan Center East Mall 1st Floor
The Union Bank Community Room graciously hosts Festival exhibits on both weekends. Accessible from the East Mall entrance, at the southeast corner of Buchanan and Post Streets.
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Webster Street StageWebster & Post Streets
The Webster Street Stage is located at the intersection of Post Street and Webster Street. Since 1993, this stage promote the San Francisco Bay Area’s contemporary musicians and performing artists.
The Center - Main Stage
1840 Sutter Street
The Center — the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California or JCCCNC — is one of the Festival’s major indoor venues and our main stage is housed here. The venue hosts exquisite cultural art exhibits including ikebana (flower arrangement), kimekomi ningyo (wooden Mataro dolls), shishu (embroidery), and washi ningyo (intricately detailed 3D Japanese paper dolls). Interactive exhibits include shodo (calligraphy) and hyakunin isshu (poetry card games). Visitors will be surrounded by authentic performances of both classical and folk music and dances in traditional costumes. Refer to the schedule for the list of performers.
Webster Street Stage
Webster & Post Streets
The Webster Street Stage is located at the intersection of Post Street and Webster Street. Since 1993, this stage promote the San Francisco Bay Area’s contemporary musicians and performing artists.
Art & Crafts Area and Non-Profit Info Booths
Along Post Street and Sutter Street
The Arts and Crafts Area is an outdoor marketplace featuring Japanese- and Asian-inspired cultural arts and crafts, curated by our Arts & Crafts Fair committee. The area is unique to this Festival as we invite independent artisans across the country who make and/or design all of their own products. You will find art decor for your home, apparel and lifestyle items, handcrafted jewelry, handbags, and plenty of special gifts!
The vendors will be joining us on Post St on April 11, 12 and 18. We also have a new activation on Sutter St on April 11 and 12 – don’t miss out and make sure to make your way to all these areas!
Non-Profit Food Bazaar & Beer and Wine Garden
Webster Street, between Post & Sutter Streets
All of our food and drink booths are run by local nonprofit organizations at our Non-Profit Food Bazaar from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Tables and benches are available nearby with live musical entertainment from the Webster Street Stage!
The Sapporo Beer Garden serves thousands of visitors every year. This year, we are excited to also have wine available on Sunday, April 12th. Must be 21 years and older to enter.
Location: Post St. between Fillmore/Webster
The Children’s Cherry Blossom Village is a welcoming, engaging space for kids of all ages, with games and cultural hands-on crafts and activities organized as fundraisers for local Japanese community organizations and schools. We are thrilled to offer this activity area for our youngest festival visitors and families to enjoy.
Post & Buchanan
Post Street at Buchanan Street is a central landmark for the Festival. Within 360 degrees, you will see the Information Booth, Peace Plaza, and the entrance to the East Mall (to get to the Union Bank Community Room).
Arts & Crafts vendors, and Nonprofit Information booths can be found along Post Street. Signature activities such as the Mochi Tsuki (mochi pounding ceremony), Taru Mikoshi Purification Ceremony, and the Parade all make their mark at this pivotal location.
East Mall Sensory Safe Space
1675 Post Street / Japan Center East Mall 2nd Floor Suite 525
New this year! Come to Suite 525 in Japan Center East Mall for the Sensory Safe Space – a quiet, low-stimulation space for Festival attendees who may need a break from the noise and crowd. It offers a simpler environment to step away, pause, and regroup.
US Bank Community Room
1675 Post Street / Japan Center East Mall 1st Floor
The US Bank Community Room graciously hosts Festival exhibits on both weekends. Accessible from the East Mall entrance, at the southeast corner of Buchanan and Post Streets.
National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS)
1684 Post Street
NJAHS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, authentic interpretation, and sharing of historical information of the Japanese American experience. They showcase ground-breaking exhibitions and educational events. Refer to the Schedule for this year’s exhibit information.
Paper Tree
1743 Buchanan Street
Paper Tree hosts origami demonstrations and exhibits during the Festival. Be sure to stop by for elegant Japanese paper products for origami and Asian-inspired stationery!
Tateuchi Auditorium at Nihonmachi Little Friends
1830 Sutter Street
Be sure to catch Chanoyu (or the Way of Tea) on the first 3 days of the Festival at the Tateuchi Auditorium within the Nihonmachi Little Friends building. The Chanoyu demonstrations are about 30 minutes in length, and begin at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.
George Yamasaki, Jr. (Peace Plaza) Stage
1610 Geary Boulevard
This stage is not open in 2026 due to Peace Plaza renovations, please visit the Webster Street Stage or our main stage in Japanese Cultural and Community Center.
The George Yamasaki, Jr. Stage is the Festival’s primary outdoor stage situated by the Peace Pagoda. On the first day of the Festival, you can experience the Opening Ceremony (including the Kagami Biraki) and congratulate the Student Scholarship winners. The dynamic performances range from dance, music, to martial arts. On the last day of the Festival, winners of the raffle prizes are anounced at this stage. Grab a seat and enjoy the excitement!
Cowell Theater in Fort Mason
2 Marina Blvd
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program Night is hosted at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture’s Cowell Theater. The venue is located at the north end of Pier 2, adjacent to the San Francisco Art Institute.
On Program Night, the candidates will showcase their speech, interview, and creative expression, as judges select them to represent the community. Please come support the court candidates as they take the first step on their journey as young leaders and representatives of the Japanese American community.