The Arkansas Cherry Blossom festival shares a variety of cultural activities, including workshops, exhibits, authentic cuisine, and games.
The Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival will be held Saturday, April 4, at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Presented by the Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation, the free, family-friendly event is a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture and the 30+ year sister city relationship between Hot Springs and Hanamaki, Japan.
The festival features live cultural performances, including samurai sword demonstrations by Yoshi Amao and the powerful rhythms of Dallas Kiyari Daiko taiko drumming, along with martial arts, cultural exhibits, a Japanese marketplace, authentic cuisine, and traditional children’s festival games.
Workshop registration opens March 4 and offers a wide variety of immersive, hands-on experiences. Sessions include Kokedama Creation (moss balls) with Garvan Gardens; Festival Yukata Dressing; Sake 101, led by professionals from Origami Sake; a Hands-on Taiko Drumming workshop; Samurai Sword Bootcamp, led by Yoshi Amao; and The Art of Kintsugi, instructed by Nao Shaneyfelt. Workshops require a registration fee, and space is limited. Advance registration is encouraged.
The festival also hosts statewide haiku and origami competitions, open to youth and adults. Origami entries will be displayed at the event, and prizes for both the haiku and origami competitions will be presented during the festival.
In partnership with the Garland County Library, the event will also feature an Anime Cosplay Contest, inviting participants to showcase their creativity and love of Japanese pop culture.
Volunteers are needed to assist with workshops, children’s activities, and event logistics. Community members interested in volunteering are encouraged to sign up online.
Proceeds from sponsorships and the festival’s silent auction support educational exchanges and scholarships between Hot Springs and its sister city, Hanamaki, Japan. For workshop registration, competition details, or volunteer information, visit hotspringssistercity.org or email mzunick@hotsprings.org.
