General Information

About Sakura Matsuri

Each spring, as cherry blossoms bloom across Japan, people gather to celebrate Sakura Matsuri, or the cherry blossom festival, an event honoring the fleeting beauty of the sakura and the renewal it symbolizes. This tradition dates back centuries to hanami (花見), or "flower viewing," when people would pause beneath the blossoms to appreciate their brief yet breathtaking presence. Inspired by this tradition, Franklin & Marshall College’s Sakura Matsuri brings a piece of Japan’s springtime spirit to Lancaster, welcoming all to experience its beauty and cultural significance.
Since its inception, F&M’s Sakura Matsuri has been led by Professor Ken-ichi Miura (pictured left) and passionate students, growing each year into a vibrant celebration filled with cultural activities, performances, and community engagement. Guests can explore hands-on booths featuring kimono-wearing, mochi-making, kendama, origami, calligraphy, and more, immersing themselves in Japanese traditions.
Beyond the interactive experiences, the festival will showcase live performances, including powerful taiko drumming, the elegance of iaido (Japanese swordsmanship), and the joyful rhythms of bon-odori, a traditional Japanese dance. This year, we are excited to collaborate with the LAAPI, the Lancaster Japan Club, and students from Gettysburg College and Elizabethtown College—making this our biggest event yet!
Just like the cherry blossoms, here for only a brief moment each year, F&M's Sakura Matsuri celebration is only once a year. Join us on Saturday, March 29th, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Mayser Gymnasium for an unforgettable experience filled with tradition, artistry, and community.

A message from Franklin & Marshall College's president, Barbra Altmann

"On behalf of Franklin & Marshall College, I am delighted to welcome you to this year’s Sakura Festival on our campus! We hope you will join us to celebrate the arrival of spring, the splendor of the cherry blossoms, and what we can learn from their transient beauty. The Sakura Festival is the outgrowth of an F&M class on Japanese culture, taught by Professor Ken-ichi Miura, in which our students help create and support community around the important symbolic ritual of Sakura. This year’s Festival will feature special guests, including the renowned Japanese potter Tomoro Mizuno and the Philadelphia-based drum group KyoDaiko. The Lancaster Japan Club and Lancaster Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders have generously offered their assistance in organizing the event. At Franklin & Marshall we place great value on cultural exchange and community collaboration, and we look forward to sharing this special experience with our neighbors in Lancaster and beyond.

See you on March 29th!"

Barbara K. Altmann, President

Events

Fun things you can do at the festival!

Venue Map

Stage Schedule

Event	Description	Time
Opening Greetings	Welcome to Sakura Matsuri! We'll open with a message from F&M College's President, Barbra Altmann before passing things off to our masters of ceremonies!	1:00 pm
Yosakoi & JPOP Dance	A high-energy, modern take on traditional Japanese dance! Yosakoi combines vibrant choreography with colorful costumes.	1:20 pm
Taiko Performance	Japan’s iconic drumming art, performed by Kyodaiko! These large, barrel-shaped drums create a sound you don't want to miss!	2:00 pm
Bon-Odori	Bon-Odori is a Japanese folk dance performed at summer festivals. We welcome everyone to step in and dance along!	3:00 pm
Raffle Drawing	Tickets will be drawn for attendees to win various prizes! See the raffle description for more information!	3:30 pm
Iaido Performance	Itten Dojo will showcase iaido, a Japanese martial art focused on the smooth, controlled movements of drawing and wielding a katana!	4:00 pm
Closing Remarks	As the festival winds down, we come together one last time to reflect on the day’s experiences and express our gratitude to all who made Sakura Matsuri possible.	4:45 pm