Kelly Eshima crowned NorCal sakura matsuri queen amid unprecedented year

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 […]

S.F. Cherry Blossom Festival crowns naginata practitioner Yuki Nishimura queen

San Francisco’s 52nd annual Cherry Blossom Festival crowned its 2019 queen April 13 during the ceremony held at the AMC Kabuki 8 in the city’s Japantown. The program, emceed by KTVU Fox 2 reporter Jana Katsuyama and Devin Katayama, host of KQED’s “The Bay” podcast, had Nami Katie Saito, Elena Anne Harumi Nielsen, NaOmi Leilani […]

S.F.’s Cherry Blossom Queen Program candidates address JA identity

The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program presented its 2019 queen candidates during its annual preview March 10 at the Union Bank Community Room in San Francisco’s Japantown. The program, a highlight of the city’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, will take place April 13 at the AMC Kabuki 8. The candidates are: Nami Katie […]

S.F. Cherry Blossom Queen candidates announced

The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program presented its 2018 queen candidates during its annual preview March 11 at the Union Bank Community Room in San Francisco’s Japantown. The queen program, a highlight of San Francisco’s annual cherry blossom festival, will take place Saturday, April 14 at the AMC Kabuki 8. The candidates are: […]

FROM SUMO TO MUSIC: Former Ozeki KONISHIKI to be Grand Marshal of parade

Hail the conquering hero … once again. When KONISHIKI last came to the Bay Area in 1996, the much celebrated sumo wrestler in Japan was taking a victory lap of sorts at a tournament in San Jose while he wound down a history-making career. Sunday, April 16 in San Francisco, the Hawai‘i-born KONISHIKI will return […]

Cherry Blossom Festival celebrating 50 years and embracing the future

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 […]

KEEPING HISTORY: Samantha Beth Tsukiji crowned 2016 queen

The 49th annual Cherry Blossom Festival crowned its 2016 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen in an April 9 ceremony at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco’s Japantown. The program, emceed by KTVU reporter Jana Katsuyama and KGO reporter David Louie, had Kona Melissa Kawai, Nicole Kiyomi Harada, Marisa Mari Sum, Samantha Beth Tsukiji, […]

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