South Bay:April

Cherry Blossom Festival - April 29 - 30, 2006

Memorial Park (across from De Anza College) Stevens Creek Blvd. at Hwy. 85 Cupertino, CA

Schedule: Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Primary Phone: (408) 257-7424

Web site: www.cupertinotoyokawa.org

This traditional Japanese gathering welcoming the arrival of spring is celebrated in Memorial Park, where 200 cherry trees donated by the Japanese town of Toyokawa were planted as part of a sister-city program. The two-day event attracts close to 50,000 visitors, and includes Japanese arts and crafts, Japanese food booths, taiko drumming, fencing, classical dancing, ikebana and bonsai displays, martial arts, and rice pounding.

Nikkei Matsuri - April 30, 2006

San Jose Japantown Jackson St. between Fifth and Sixth Sts. San Jose, CA

Schedule: 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Cost: Free

Primary Phone: (408) 241-0900

Secondary Phone: (408) 390-3744

Web site: www.nikkeimatsuri.org

Thundering taiko drums, displays of delicate calligraphy and ikebana, and tasty traditional foods are all part of this Japanese American cultural festival.