{"id":3581,"date":"2014-03-06T02:16:37","date_gmt":"2014-03-05T18:16:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=3581"},"modified":"2014-04-05T19:28:03","modified_gmt":"2014-04-05T11:28:03","slug":"five-cant-miss-events-at-the-vancouver-cherry-blossom-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2014\/03\/06\/five-cant-miss-events-at-the-vancouver-cherry-blossom-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Five can’t-miss events at the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Several<\/a>
Several cherry blossom trees can be seen on the campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada, near the Swing Space Building. Photo courtesy of James Krus on Wiki Commons<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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There are many reasons to celebrate spring: the days get warmer, nights get longer and the city pops with colour at the peak of cherry blossom season. Each year, more than 40,000 cherry trees spring to life, decorating Vancouver\u2019s streets and parks with a canopy of white and pink blossoms. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (April 3 to 28) honours this time of year. From colourful soirees to educational seminars, the vibrant festival offers a variety of events that delight in the rebirth of spring and beauty of the\u00a0sakura<\/i>\u00a0(cherry blossoms in Japanese). Our top picks:<\/span><\/p>\n

Indulge in traditional Japanese cuisine.<\/b>\u00a0Kick off the festival at Sakura Night, a pink-tie opening gala showcasing the best of Vancouver\u2019s Japanese cuisine. Attendees can sample delectable eats fromTojo\u2019s Restaurant<\/a>,\u00a0Zen Japanese Restaurant<\/a>,\u00a0Fairmont Pacific Rim\u2019s Raw Bar<\/a>,\u00a0Miku Restaurant<\/a>,Seventeen89<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Zakkushi<\/b>. The event takes place at Tojo\u2019s Restaurant on March 30. To purchase tickets, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take in live music under the blossoms.<\/b>\u00a0Soak up live music, dance performances, Haiku readings and more at the\u00a0Cherry Jam Downtown Concert<\/a>. The event takes place on April 3, from 12:00pm to 1:30pm, under the cherry blossom canopies of downtown Vancouver\u2019s Burrard Station.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discover the beauty of cherry blossoms at night.<\/b>\u00a0The\u00a0Sakura Illumination Tour<\/a>\u00a0invites locals and visitors to experience the beauty of cherry blossom after dark. Taking place on April 4 at\u00a0Granville Island<\/a>\u2019s Sutcliffe Park (7:30pm to 9:00pm), the event encourages attendees to revel in the beauty of an illuminated canopy of cherry blossoms brought to life by LED and patterned video lights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Experience traditional Japanese culture.<\/b>\u00a0Treat yourself to all things Japanese at this year\u2019s\u00a0Sakura Days Japan Fair<\/a>\u00a0at\u00a0VanDusen Botanical Garden<\/a>, April 5 to 6. Chow down on Japanese food, sip traditional tea and sake and take a class or two (like calligraphy or origami). Additional highlights include ikebana lessons, guided walks through the blossoms, taiko drumming, martial arts performances, a children\u2019s area and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Picnic, walk or bike the cherry-pink way.<\/b>\u00a0Use the\u00a0Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival<\/a>\u00a0bloom map to locate your favourite blossom variety and the whereabouts of city streets lined with blooming cherry trees \u2013 then decide whether you want to eat, walk or bike under the pink canopy. If you\u2019re keen to join a group, pedal along at\u00a0Bike the Blossoms<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a free blossom bike ride that takes place on April 26.<\/span><\/p>\n

Press release courtesy of Tourism Vancouver’s travel media newsletter for April 2014.<\/em><\/p>\n

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