While the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the event last year, San Francisco’s 54th annual Cherry Blossom Festival held an online program and crowned its 2021 queen April 10. Akiko Jacqueline Bates, Ashlyn Sumiko Hom and Kelly Noelani Eshima competed in this year’s program emceed by Jana Katsuyama, KTVU Fox 2 reporter. The three women, along with […]
Kelly Eshima crowned NorCal sakura matsuri queen amid unprecedented year
April 15, 2021 by Leave a Comment
NorCal Cherry Blossom Festival Program announces 2021 candidates
March 18, 2021 by Leave a Comment
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program announced its 2021 candidates — Akiko Jacqueline Bates, Ashlyn Sumiko Hom and Kelly Noelani Eshima. Akiko Jacqueline Bates Akiko Jacqueline Bates, 24, is from Honolulu. Her hobbies include singing, fashion and running. Bates is an assistant account manager at Hatch, a branding company. Bates holds a bachelor’s degree […]
Cherry Blossom Festival celebrating 50 years and embracing the future
April 1, 2017 by Leave a Comment
San Francisco’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary with organizers hoping to present a celebration of Japanese culture that is bigger than ever. This year, the two weekend-long event will host a 50th anniversary gala, more than 200 guests from Japan and expanded entertainment, including a scavenger hunt. Richard Hashimoto, who previously […]
ORIGAMI, THE ART: Supporting the community and embracing a wider audience
April 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Since the first Festival, the Mihara family — owners of Paper Tree, a paper specialty store — have offered free origami instruction as part of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. The Mihara sisters, Linda and Vicky, have fond memories of teaching children to fold paper at the Festival — starting when they were kids […]
Connect & Share