Our Story
The Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival began with a generous gift of 1,000 cherry trees from Japan’s former Prime Minister, Takeo Miki, on May 8, 1976. This gesture commemorated America’s bicentennial and celebrated the enduring friendship between Japan and Washington state. Over the years, the festival has blossomed into the largest and oldest celebration of its kind in the Northwest, inviting people to partake in the beauty of cherry blossoms and the rich traditions of Japanese culture.