About the Festival

The Japan-America Society of Washington DC’s Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival .celebrated its 62nd year in 2024, continuing its annual tradition of bringing Japan to the heart of the Nation’s Capital. Over the April 13- 14 weekend, the Matsuri, which proudly participates in Washington DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival as a Premier Event, welcomed 40,000 attendees.

The Matsuri returned to Pennsylvania Avenue again this spring with a host of new content, including the newly premiered Izakaya Pavilion with Japanese sake and spirits tasting. Notable Japanese performers, DA PUMP, Kikio, and TAEKO drew large crowds to the Matsuri’s stages with their energized performances, and the Season 3 of the WISH Talent Competition was filmed live on Sunday of the Sakura Matsuri, bringing the Matsuri stage to the world.  

Returning Matsuri favorites included performances from Tamagawa University Taiko & Dance, Okinawan Dancers, a host of martial arts demonstrations, dance groups, and many more. The Matsuri’s Kagami Biraki - traditional sake-barrel opening ceremony - featured prominent guests such as Japan’s Ambassador to the United States Shigeo Yamada, Deputy Mayor of the District of Columbia Nina Albert, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Robert Koepcke. 

The Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival marks the importance of the United States-Japan relationship in our Nation’s Capital and Japan’s significant legacy in the District of Columbia since its gift of cherry trees to our region 112 years ago. 

Read & download the full event & communications report, as well as the 2024-25 Sponsorship Deck below: