Sakura Days Japan Fair

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival‘s Sakura Days Japan Fair showcases Japanese food and cultural activities at VanDusen Botanical Garden in April.

In 2023 the cherry blossom festival runs from April 1st until April 22nd. The Sakura Days Japan Fair, meanwhile, happens on the weekend of April 15th and 16th.

Japan Festival at VanDusen Garden

In 2020 the Sakura Days Japan Fair was going to occur on April 18th and 19th. However, the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 2021 events happened online. The fair returned as an in-person event on April 9th and 10th in 2022.

In 2023 the Sakura Days Japan Fair takes place on the Saturday and Sunday of April 15th and 16th.

At the event there is traditional Japanese music and live performances, as well as a tea ceremony, woodworking demonstrations and more. There is also usually lots of traditional Japanese festival-style food including okonomiyaki (a kind of savory cabbage pancake), yakisoba (fried noodles) and other tasty treats.

If you plan to visit VanDusen Garden in the spring, during the Sakura Days Japan Fair is a great time to do it. The garden is still usually about a month away from its beautiful best, but the Japanese activities and entertainment are definitely worth seeing. And when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the place is very pretty.

It’s hard to predict when the cherry blossoms will be at their peak at VanDusen garden. Some years they are fully in bloom during the Sakura Days Japan Fair and other years they aren’t. It’s a bit hit and miss and depends on the weather each season. In 2022, however, the pink colours were amazing!

Spring Flowers at VanDusen Gardens

Sakura Days Admission

The cost for the Sakura Days Japan Fair depends on whether you have a membership with VanDusen Garden.

In 2023 admission prices to the event when purchased online are the following:

Adults: $18.60
Seniors (ages 65+): $14.40
Youth (ages 13-18): $14.40
Children: (ages 5-12): $6.60
Little Kids: (ages 0-4): Free

Prices for the Sakura Days event are not a lot more than regular admission at VanDusen Garden, so it’s not unreasonable, especially if you like Japanese culture.

Note: Admission rates and other details are subject to change.

Vancouver Okinawa Taiko Drummers — Vancouver Okinawa Taiko

2023 Event Schedule

In 2023 the Sakura Days Japan Fair runs on the Saturday and Sunday of April 15th and 16th. The event runs from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm on the Saturday, and from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on the Sunday. Below is the entertainment schedule for both days.