The 48th Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
Consul General Watanabe attended and gave remarks at the Opening Ceremony (4/11), the Queen Program (4/11), the Senior Appreciation Brunch (4/12), and the Friendship Reception (4/17). He also participated in the Grand Parade on Sunday, April 19th. On Saturday, April 18th, Deputy Consul General Watanabe participated in the blessing ceremony of the mikoshi shrine. The Consulate General of Japan held an information booth on all days of the festival.
1. Opening Ceremony
At the Opening Ceremony of the 48th Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, Consul General Watanabe conveyed the strong relationship that Northern California and Japan share, made possible through multiple efforts, including economics, technology, and grassroots endeavors like the Sister Cities program and the Cherry Blossom Festival.
| When: | Saturday, April 11, 2015 1:00PM-1:30PM, |
| Location: | Japantown Peace Plaza |
2. Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program
Consul General Watanabe gave a greeting at the beginning of the pageant, congratulating all of this year’s participants for their commitment as well as commenting on the important roles they will play both in their community and between the United States and Japan. Ms. Kelli Asako Sum was crowned the 2015 Cherry Blossom Queen.
| When: | Saturday, April 11, 2015 |
| Location: | Sundance Kabuki Cinema |
3. Senior Appreciation Brunch
Consul General Watanabe and his wife attended the Senior Appreciation Brunch which honors senior citizens and their contributions to the Japanese American Community. Consul General Watanabe presented an award of appreciation to this year’s five honorees.
| When: | Sunday, April 12, 2015 |
| Location: | Kabuki Hotel |
4. Award of Appreciation for Mr. Kazunari Mochizuki
Consul General Watanabe and his wife attended a welcome reception for Mr. Kazunari Mochizuki, president of the Fujiyasu Kimono Company. The Consul General Watanabe presented Mr. Mochizuki with an award of appreciation for his efforts in strengthening the ties between Northern California and Japan. The Fujiyasu Kimono Company annually endows the Queen Program the Furisode kimono worn by the queen.
| When: | Friday, April 17, 2015 |
| Location: | Kabuki Hotel |
5. Friendship Reception
Consul General Watanabe and his wife, along with guests from Japan and all over the United States, attended the Friendship Reception which seeks to promote international and intercultural exchange and understanding between the US and Japan.
| When: | Friday, April 17, 2015 |
| Location: | Kabuki Hotel |
6. Mikoshi Blessing Ceremony
Deputy Consul General Watanabe attended a purification ceremony for the Kanda Myoji Mikoshi and the San Francisco Taru Mikoshi, the portable shrines carried in the Grand Parade.
| When: | Saturday, April 18, 2015 |
| Location: | Post Street in Japantown |
7. Grand Parade
Consul General Watanabe and his wife participated in the finale of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, the Grand Parade, in order to express gratitude to the Japanese American community and the citizens of San Francisco.
| When: | Sunday, April 19, 2015 |
| Location: | City Hall to Japantown |
