Stir Cheat Sheet: 5 things to know about Sakura Days Japan Fair 2025

The anchor program of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival features everything from sake tastings to taiko demonstrations

Sakura Days Japan Fair. Photo by Barry Yip

Sakura Days Japan Fair takes place on April 12 and 13 at VanDusen Botanical Garden as part of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

A HIGHLIGHT OF the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, Sakura Days Japan Fair is happening April 12 and 13 at VanDusen Botanical Garden (from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday). Created in collaboration with the Japan Fair Association of Vancouver, the cultural celebration features a whole host of activities and highlights. Here are five things to know before you go.

The yukata fitting service is back

Yukata is the name of the Japanese summer kimono, and festival attendees can take advantage of a complimentary fitting service. Guests are allowed to roam the garden while wearing the yukata for 20 minutes, as the quantity of available yukata is limited.

Traditional tea ceremonies are on offer

Tea-ceremony demonstrations will be offered by Urasenke Tankokai Vancouver Association, which promotes the traditional practice and belongs to the Urasenke School of Tea Ceremony based in Kyoto, Japan.

Authentic Japanese cuisine will be available for tasting

Sakura Days is a chance to get a taste of traditional Japanese cuisine. Among the items being served are yakisoba, stir-fried noodles with vegetables, meat, and a thick, sweetish sauce; takoyaki, a popular street food of small, piping hot balls of batter filled with green onions, ginger, crispy tempura bits, and octopus; matcha, a type of green tea in the form of a powder that is dissolved in hot water or milk; strawberry daifuku, a sweet that consists of a pillowy white mochi filled with red-bean paste that encases a whole juicy strawberry; and more.

Premium sake will be available for sipping

Made from fermented rice that has been polished, sake has an alcohol content of around 15 percent. Its flavour profiles are relatively mild, ranging from light and crisp to more substantial, richer, fruity notes.

Several performances will take place

Japanese dance, karate, singing, taiko drumming, and more will be on offer all weekend across two stages. Cherry Stage highlights include Appare Yosakoi Vancouver performing a style of dance that incorporates wooden instruments called naruko; youth ensemble GO Taiko; Hawaiian hula group Wailele Wai Wai; and BOYiSH7, dancers that cosplay as anime idol boys.

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Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is cofounder of Stir. She is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

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