Celebrate Japanese-American Culture at Seattle's Cherry Blossom Festival


Celebrate Japanese-American Culture at Seattle's Cherry Blossom Festival

Japanese culture is unique in how it has retained millennia-old customs while still adopting new ones. Old traditions are juxtaposed against modern practices in a truly harmonious manner. Some of its new pastimes come from America, like baseball. Japan has, in turn, contributed to the American way of life. The relationship between Japan and America is centuries old, with low and high points. If you are a fan of Japanese culture, then Seattle will be the place to be on April 24-26, 2020.





Learn about Japanese-American Culture surrounded by Beautiful Cherry Blossoms

The Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival is a weekend-long celebration of Japanese and Japanese-American culture. It is an opportunity to learn about the two cultures through art, martial arts, exhibits, demonstrations, hands-on children's activities, technologies, and culinary treats, to mention a few. The festival is free and open to the public, so plan on bringing the whole family.

A committee composed of Japanese government officials, business organizations, citizens' groups, and the city of Seattle all cooperate in planning and producing the festival. The festival was initiated in 1976 by a gift from the Japanese to the Americans of 1,000 cherry blossoms to commemorate America's bicentennial.

Cherry blossoms are revered in Japanese culture. They are a symbol of the evanescence of human life. The Japanese also believe that cherry blossoms epitomizes the transformation of Japanese culture throughout the ages. There is a custom of viewing cherry blossoms called Hanami, which serves as a reminder to celebrate life.

Explore Seattle in your Free Time

Seattle is a vibrant city with a lot to offer in tech, engineering, business, culture, and fun. There are natural and cultural sites that could extend your visit to the Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival across a whole weekend or more.

The Bellevue Botanical Gardens sit on 53 acres of restored woodlands, wetlands, and cultivated gardens. The plants featured are mostly native to the area and there is a Japanese Yao garden you may like to explore. If you like what you see, you can attend plant sales, take a gardening course, or catch a concert there.

The Museum of Flight offers you the world's largest exhibitions of the aero industry, with over 175 aircraft and tens of thousands of artifacts on display. It is built on the site where the first Boeing was made.

Grab a Bite to Eat Nearby

The urban culinary scene offers many eating options. Whatever your taste, you will find what you are looking for. It's an excellent opportunity for you to try something new, too.

Flo is a traditional Japanese sushi restaurant and sake bar in Bellevue. They offer everything from artistically designed bento boxes to a large selection of sushi and sashimi options. It blends purist Japanese and Western palates with selections like horenso gomae and the Washington Roll.




Cactus Southwest Kitchen and Bar is a Mexican restaurant with several locations, including one in Bellevue. They serve Mexican and Southwestern specialties, like Spanish-style tapas, poblano chile rellenos, sizzling skillet fajitas, oversized chimichangas, chorizo fried chicken with pico de gallo, along with handcrafted south-of-the-border cocktails.

Seastar's is an understated upscale fresh seafood restaurant that also serves high-quality steaks, pastas, and chicken. The menu is famous for its shared plates, but keep in mind that menu items are subject to seasonal availability.

Find a Hotel Near the Event

Since you'll be in town for a while, you might need to find a hotel in Bellevue, WA. The area has a great selection of hotels from which to choose from.

The Hyatt House Seattle/Bellevue's spacious studios might be to your liking. It is built for both short and long stays, some of the studios come with kitchens. The hotel comes with free internet, business services, meeting facilities, a fitness room, a pool, and it is even pet-friendly. So whether you'll be in town for family fun or business, you'll feel right at home there.

The Bellevue Club Hotel is a boutique property that offers beautifully designed rooms and a wellness-themed stay. The hotel has an athletic facility, spa treatments, along with yoga and Pilates classes.

Explore Japan and American culture

Visit the Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival and get a better understanding of these two great nations and their cultures. Bellevue offers a brilliant backdrop to the festival with its multicultural establishments waiting for you to visit them.







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