Sakura Matsuri 2019 Saturday Events

Last Admission at 5:30 p.m.

Sold Out on Saturday! Limited tickets remain for Sunday.

Sakura Matsuri, the Garden's annual cherry blossom festival, celebrates Japanese culture with a rich program of events.

See Schedule for Sunday, April 28

Sakura Matsuri Main Page

How to Have a Great Festival: Tips & Rules

Sakura Matsuri days are the Garden’s busiest. Be prepared.

Skip the box office line! Become a member or purchase an advance ticket. Members can use the members' lane at any entrance. Advance ticket holders must select a specific entrance (see map).

During Sakura Matsuri no tickets will be sold at the Eastern Parkway entrance. A limited number of tickets will be sold on event days at the 455 Flatbush Avenue and 990 Washington Avenue entrances. To comply with safety regulations we may have to halt ticket sales if we reach maximum capacity. Purchase tickets in advance to ensure entry.
Travel light. All bags and packages will be searched by Security. Be prepared to wait in line for bag check.
Take public transportation. Parking nearby is very limited and gridlock is likely. Travel directions ›
Avoid peak attendance. Come early in the day or later in the afternoon.
No outside food or beverages. Exceptions are bottled water and baby bottles only. A substantial menu of food and drink will be available at stations throughout the Garden.
Help protect our plant collections. During the festival, some areas of the Garden are closed. Please do not pick flowers, climb trees, or walk in the planted beds. Folding chairs are not permitted.
Cosplayers take note: Real or realistic weapons, oversized props, or props made of hard materials (e.g., wood, Plexiglas, metal) will not be allowed inside the Garden. Security reserves the right to refuse admission of any potentially hazardous props.
Leave the wheels at home. Scooters and bikes are not permitted in the Garden, and bike racks located at each entrance fill up early. Due to festival crowds, avoid bringing a stroller.
Drones, tripods, and commercial photography are not allowed. Photos for personal use and social sharing encouraged! See policy at bbg.org/photography.

Saturday, April 27 | Schedule

Jump to Event Type

Cherry Esplanade Stage

Hobbies: Bonsai, Origami, Games

Kid Stuff

Cherry Esplanade Stage

A rock trio fronted by a Japanese woman on guitar plays on stage. — **The Molice.** Photo by Julie Markes.

Noon–12:45 p.m.: Soh Daiko
Thunderous taiko drumming
12:45–1 p.m.: Welcome
1:15–2 p.m.: Dancejapan with Sachiyo Ito
Elegant and colorful Kabuki Buyo
2:15–3 p.m.: Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY
Vibrant traditional Minbu dances
3:15–4 p.m.: Samurai Sword Soul
Action-packed drama by martial arts masters
4:15–5 p.m.: Pinky Doodle Poodle
High-energy, punky female-fronted rock from Japan
5:15–6 p.m.: The Molice
Tokyo’s indie rockers with an edgy twist

J-Lounge Stage in the Plant Family Collection

A woman in a Japanese schoolgirl outfit draws with marker on a easel on a stage. — **Misako Rocks!** Photo by Julie Markes.

Noon–12:45 p.m.: Kawaii and Sugoi Manga with Misako Rocks!
Brooklyn’s manga maven shows you how it’s done.
1–1:45 p.m.: Taiko Drumming for Families
A master class for kids with Taiko Masala
2–2:30 p.m.: Neko or Usagi: Anime Quiz Battleground
A fun-filled game show from cosplay curator extraordinaire Charles Battersby
2:45–3:15 p.m.: Lafayette Harris Quintet
Original jazz compositions inspired by Japanese culture
3:30–4:15 p.m.: Yayoi Ikawa with Emeline Michel & Special Guests
Jazz synthesized from two island cultures, Japan and Haiti
4:30–5:15 p.m.: Yoichi Uzeki Quartet
Jazz compositions influenced by Uzeki’s native Tokyo pop culture
5:15–6 p.m.: DJ Sashimi & Robby Takac
Edo-era melodies meet tasty beats, featuring Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac on the Shamisen

Auditorium Stage

A group of women in traditional Japanese dress perform at a tea ceremony. — **Sohenryu Tea Ceremony.** Photo by Liz Ligon.

1:30–2:15 p.m.: Sohenryu Tea Ceremony for Families
Kids learn about the art of tea with tea masters Soumi Shimizu and Sōkyo Shimizu.
2:45–3:30 p.m.: Sohenryu Tea Ceremony
Tea masters Soumi Shimizu and Sōkyo Shimizu share this ancient traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Repeats at 4 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
4–4:45 p.m.: Sohenryu Tea Ceremony
5:15–6 p.m.: Sohenryu Tea Ceremony

Artist Village

A table display of Japanese earthenwares. — **Togei Kyoshitshu Ceramics.** Photo by Blanca Begert.

10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Plant Family Collection

Hideyo Okamura
Japanese abstract visual art

Rumi Hara
Ink illustrations and comic art by a Kyoto native

Jed Henry
Illustrations blending video game characters with Edo-era art traditions

Togei Kyoshitshu Ceramics
Functional and elegant pottery

Community Bookstore
An exciting array of Japanese reads

CosplayNYC
Meet the community of zine creators.

Japanese Marketplace

Two women show off an array of Japanese fabrics. — **Wuhao Tenugui Art.** Photo by Julie Markes.

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Plant Family Collection

J-Fashion Accessories
Handcrafted kawaii adornments by Un-Re Designs

Kokeshi Dolls
Handcrafted wooden dolls presented by Kyoohoo of northern Japan

Minamoto Kitchoan Wagashi
Seasonal Japanese confections and treats

Raaka Chocolate
Small-batch chocolates inspired by Japanese culinary traditions

Royce’ Chocolate
Chocolate and matcha from Hokkaido, Japan

Sushi Pillows
Whimsical plush creations by Sushi Designs New York

Tenugui Wraps
Decorative cotton cloths by Wuhao Tenugui Art

Vintage Kimonos
Fashions straight from Japan by YokoDana Kimono

Garden Pop-ups

Pink cherry blossoms in front of the torii in the Japanese Garden at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. — **Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden.** Photo by Blanca Begert.

10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.: Sakura Eats
Enjoy tasty Japanese-inspired food and beverages throughout the Garden.
10 a.m.–Noon: Japanese Garden Stroll
A guided tour of BBG’s cloud-pruned trees, torii gate, and koi
Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden
10 a.m.–3 p.m.: Koto Corner
Pop-up concerts throughout the day, curated by MIYABI Koto Shamisen Ensemble
Children’s Garden Pavilion
10 a.m.–5 p.m.: Mikoshi: Portable Shinto Shrine
See how mikoshi are traditionally used in Japan with the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Steinhardt Conservatory
11 a.m.–3 p.m.: Fan-Decorating Workshop for Kids
Decorate a Japanese fan with natural beet dye (ages 4 and up).
Discovery Garden
11 a.m.–5 p.m.: Demo Zone
Demonstrations highlighting Japanese culture throughout the day, including Aikido of South Brooklyn and Koka Calligraphy
Water Garden

Hobbies & Pastimes

People playing the game of go. — **Game of Go with the Brooklyn Go Club.** Photo by Julie Markes.

10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Breathtaking Bonsai
Steinhardt Conservatory

Bonsai Basics
Consult aficionados from the Friends of Bonsai Club.

C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum
Enjoy the Garden’s world-class collection of teeny trees.

Friends of Bonsai’s Living Sculpture Exhibit
A display of Brooklyn’s own bonsai club

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Origami Arts

Taro’s Origami Atelier
An evocative array of paper animals and flowers
Rotunda

Noon–4 p.m.

Colossal Creatures: Giant Origami
An exceptional demonstration of paper-folding
Rotunda

1–5 p.m.

Vaudeville Origami
Fold along with Jeremy Aaron Horland in this one-of-a-kind workshop.
Fragrance Garden

1–5 p.m.

Game Stop
School Lunch Area

The Game of Go
Challenge the pros from the Brooklyn Go Club.

Karuta
Explore this exciting card game with experts from the NYC Karuta Club.

Shogi Chess
Learn this ancient game from the masters of the New York Shogi Club.

Kid Stuff

Lots of children sitting on grass watch a man on a platform fold a piece of purple paper. — **Vaudeville Origami.** Photo by Julie Markes.

11 a.m.–3 p.m.: Fan-Decorating Workshop for Kids
Decorate a Japanese fan with natural beet dye (ages 4 and up).
Discovery Garden
1–1:45 p.m.: Taiko Drumming for Families
A master class for kids with Taiko Masala
J-Lounge Stage in the Plant Family Collection
1 –5 p.m.: Vaudeville Origami
Fold along with Jeremy Aaron Horland in this one-of-a-kind workshop.
Fragrance Garden
1:30–2:15 p.m.: Sohenryu Tea Ceremony for Families
Kids learn about the art of tea with tea masters Soumi Shimizu and Sōkyo Shimizu.
Auditorium
10 a.m.–6 p.m.: Samurai Selfie
You Look Radishing!
Pose in your favorite warrior cutouts or as a daikon radish.
Cherry Esplanade

All festival attendees must present ticket for entrance. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. There are no reciprocal admissions or group discounts on festival days. Tickets are nonrefundable. All events held rain or shine.