Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival

I’ve been going to this festival for a few years now. You can find the action at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion. It’s an opportunity to check out Japanese culture through performances, art, and activities.
One of my favorite things to watch is taiko drumming. The energy, beat, and excitement is hard to beat. A close second to the taiko drumming for me is ikebana (Japanese art of flower arrangement). So beautiful and serene, it’s hard to believe that flowers can look that spectacular. There are also many performances on the stage that give a peaceful backdrop to the festivities.
Oh! I almost forgot to mention the origami! Ever seen an origami Yoda? I have and although I know I’m outing myself as a dork, it’s pretty damn amazing! There are also tons of kids activities and some involving… you got it, folding paper.
A bit of food is also served. I tend to have small bites but it’s not that reasonably priced for what you receive. I didn’t eat there this year. They do have Japanese style hot dogs, manju and mochi from local vendors, and specialties like takoyaki (octopus dumplings).
Here’s some history I didn’t know: this festival was founded in appreciation of 1,000 cherry trees gifted to Seattle by Prime Minister Takeo Miki on behalf of the Japanese government in commemoration of the nation’s bicentennial. How cool is that?