The 51st Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
2018/4/24
Consul General Uyama delivers his remarks
Sake Cask Opening Ceremony with Consul General Uyama and community representatives
On the weekends of April 14, 15, 21, and 22, the 51st Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival’s was held in San Francisco’s Japantown. Consul General Uyama attended several events, including the Opening Ceremony and the Queen Program (Saturday, April 14), the Friendship Reception (Friday, April 20), the Mikoshi Purification Ceremony (Saturday, April 21), and the Senior Appreciation Brunch (Sunday, April 22). Every year, over 200,000 people attend this two-weekend long event.
On Saturday, April 14, Consul General Tomochika Uyama attended the opening ceremony during the first weekend of the 51st Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival held at the Peace Plaza in San Francisco’s Japantown. Also in attendance were President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors London Breed, Leaders of the Northern California Japanese and Japanese American Communities, and Japantown Organization representatives.
1) Opening Ceremony
On Saturday, April 14, Consul General Tomochika Uyama attended the opening ceremony during the first weekend of the 51st Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival held at the Peace Plaza in San Francisco’s Japantown. Also in attendance were President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors London Breed, Leaders of the Northern California Japanese and Japanese American Communities, and Japantown Organization representatives.
Consul General Uyama delivering his greetings
Group photo of Consul General Uyama with the 2018 Cherry Blossom Festival Queen and Court
2) Queen Program
On the evening of Saturday, April 14, Consul General Tomochika Uyama attended and gave remarks at the 51st Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program, held at Kabuki Theater in San Francisco Japantown. Consul General Uyama commented on the important roles the queen and court play as future leaders and representatives of the Japanese American community. Ms. Nicole Tachiki was crowned the 2018 Cherry Blossom Queen.
Greeting by Consul General Uyama
Group photo with Festival Co-chairs and the President of Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
3) Friendship Reception
On the evening of Friday, April 20, Consul General and Mrs. Uyama along with guests from Japan and around the United States, attended the Friendship Reception which promotes international and intercultural exchange and understanding between the US and Japan as a part of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival.
Consul General Uyama participates in the ceremony
The mikoshi blessing ceremony
4) Mikoshi Purification Ceremony
On Saturday, April 21, Consul General Uyama attended a purification ceremony for the San Francisco Taru Mikoshi, the portable shrine carried in the Grand Parade.
Consul General Uyama greets the attendees
Group photo with Consul General Uyama and the honorees
5) Senior Appreciation Brunch
On Sunday, April 22, Consul General Uyama attended the Senior Appreciation Brunch which honors senior citizens and their contributions to the Japanese American community. During the ceremony, Consul General Uyama presented a special award to this year’s six individual honorees and one organization.