The 59th Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Second Weekend
2026/4/23
Deputy Consul General Ishihara gives remarks
Deputy Consul General Ishihara with SF Taru Mikoshi Ren leaders
On April 18 and 19, the second weekend of the 59th Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival was held in San Francisco’s Japantown. Consul General Kotaro Otsuki and Deputy Consul General Takeshi Ishihara attended the following events.
1. Taru Mikoshi Purification Ceremony
On Saturday, April 20, Deputy Consul General Ishihara attended a purification ceremony for the San Francisco Taru Mikoshi, the portable shrine carried in the Grand Parade.
1. Taru Mikoshi Purification Ceremony
On Saturday, April 20, Deputy Consul General Ishihara attended a purification ceremony for the San Francisco Taru Mikoshi, the portable shrine carried in the Grand Parade.
Deputy Consul General Ishihara gives remarks
Deputy Consul General Ishihara with representatives of Kanda Myoujin
2. Kanda Mikoshi Purification Ceremony
On Saturday, April 18, Deputy Consul General Ishihara attended a purification ceremony for the San Francisco Kanda Mikoshi, which was gifted to the festival by Kanda Myoujin in Tokyo in 2000. This year sees the return of the mikoshi to the parade for the first time since 2019.
On Saturday, April 18, Deputy Consul General Ishihara attended a purification ceremony for the San Francisco Kanda Mikoshi, which was gifted to the festival by Kanda Myoujin in Tokyo in 2000. This year sees the return of the mikoshi to the parade for the first time since 2019.
Deputy Consul General Ishihara speaks at the brunch
Group photo with honorees
3) Senior Appreciation Brunch
On Sunday, April 19, Deputy Consul General Ishihara spoke at the annual Senior Appreciation Brunch which honors senior citizen volunteers and their contributions to the Japanese American community.
On Sunday, April 19, Deputy Consul General Ishihara spoke at the annual Senior Appreciation Brunch which honors senior citizen volunteers and their contributions to the Japanese American community.
Consul General Otsuki in the Parade
Commemorative photo at City Hall
4) Grand Parade
On Sunday, April 19, Consul General Otsuki, and Consulate staff with their families participated in the Grand Parade of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. The Parade is the finale to the Festival and travels between San Francisco’s City Hall and Japantown. Over 50 Japan-related cultural organizations and community representatives participated in this year’s parade.
On Sunday, April 19, Consul General Otsuki, and Consulate staff with their families participated in the Grand Parade of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. The Parade is the finale to the Festival and travels between San Francisco’s City Hall and Japantown. Over 50 Japan-related cultural organizations and community representatives participated in this year’s parade.
The Consulate contingent marches in the parade
Consul General waving to parade participants
