I can’t believe spring has arrived already! One of my favorite annual events in San Francisco is the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown celebrating Japanese culture.
Growing up I came to the Cherry Blossom Festival every year with my mother. Now celebrating their 49th year, this event is more popular than ever. Various tents are set up along the streets (food and merchandise) as well as a stage with numerous music acts. They have a very in depth schedule here (you can still go next weekend, April 16/17) to enjoy the parade, taiko drumming, tea ceremony, and much more.
Of course my favorite thing to do at the Cherry Blossom Festival is to eat. While most of the food is Japanese, there are some other Asian food tents and there was even a barbecue tent that was very popular. If you’ve not feeling any of the food tents, there are so many restaurants inside the Japantown Center to choose from. One of my favorite Japanese street foods has to be takoyaki, fluffy doughy balls stuffed with octopus and topped with sweet Japanese sauce, mayonnaise, katsuobushi (bonito flakes), and nori. So yummy. I also ate vegetable spring rolls and udon noodles, a satisfying dish on a cold day.
Lastly if you’re a dog lover, they have a dog tent for both Akitas and Shiba Inus (both Japanese breeds). The Akita was huge but very beautiful and friendly. Of course, I’m partial to Shiba Inus since I have one myself. The black and tan Shiba Inu puppy was adorable! For those who don’t know Shiba Inus come in three colors: black and tan, red, or cream.
These Shiba Inu siblings were the cutest things ever yesterday!
I saw so many Shiba Inus around Japantown but I have to say my Kuma bear is still the cutest!
