History
Following World War II, the Japanese and Japanese American communities resettled in San Francisco’s Japantown, one of the three remaining officially designated Japantowns in the United States. The first Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival (formerly San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival) was celebrated over three days, March 29-31, 1968, right after the opening of the Japan Trade Center (now Japan Center Malls) on March 28, 1968. A group of dedicated Japanese and Japanese American business and community leaders started the Festival as a way to preserve traditions, revitalize the local economy, and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the United States and Japan. Walk down memory lane with us by visiting our 10 Must-See Photos blog and purchasing A Golden Journey – Images of 50 Years of Japanese Culture photobook.
The Festival is now organized by a group of dedicated volunteers and has become one of the largest and most prominent cherry blossom festivals outside of Japan. Over its two-weekend festivities, the Festival also offers the opportunity to look back at the history of Japanese and Japanese Americans in Northern California and enjoy the culture and customs that have survived thanks to the hardships of multiple generations. The highlight of the Cherry Blossom Festival is the Grand Parade which stretches over a mile from Civic Center Plaza to Japantown, showcasing many of the cultural and community organizations that contribute to the continued success of the Festival.
Timeline
50th NCCBF Legacy Video
2023 Cherry Blossom Festival
Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival 2023 Schedule View the 2023 Schedule 2023 Performer Profiles Raffle Winners 2023 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Raffle Winners Meet
2022 Cherry Blossom Festival
Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival 2022 Schedule View the 2022 Schedule Raffle Winners 2022 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Raffle Winners Meet the 2022 Queen
2021 Virtual Festival
Thanks for attending the 2021 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival; we enjoyed celebrating two weekends of programming from our dear friends who supported us for
2020 – Blossom in Place
Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival 2020 Grand Marshal & Community Marshals Meet Madame Michiya Hanayagi, 2020 NCCBF Community MarshalMeet Yosh Uchida, 2020 Parade Marshal 53rd
Virtual Festival Schedule and stream
2020 Co-Chair Greeting for Virtual NCCBF https://www.youtube.com/embed/iWxcuxvTDKA Co-Chair Greeting for Virtual NCCBF Stream the full festival 2020 Virtual Festival day one, Saturday, April 18th, also
2019 – 心 (Kokoro) – One Blossom â‹… One Community â‹… One Heart
Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival 2019 Schedule Download the 2019 schedule (PDF) Raffle Winners 2019 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Raffle Winners (PDF) Grand Marshal &
2018 – The Spirit of Densho ä¼æ‰¿
Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival 2018 Schedule Download the 2018 schedule (PDF) Raffle Winners 2018 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Raffle Winners (PDF) Grand Marshal
Cherry Blossom Festival Pioneers
Saluting Our Festival Pioneers for 50 Years of Service The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is extremely fortunate to receive the support and guidance from
A Story of Humanity – The Fujiyasu Kimono story
To think of goodwill and humanity, one person comes to mind–Mr. Seishichi Ato. For the past 32 years, Mr. Ato and the Fujiyasu Kimono Company