Sakura Cherry Blossoms in Ontario 2023 (UPDATED)

2023/5/1


SAKURA, cherry blossoms, have played a significant role in the history of Japan-Canada and Japan-Ontario relations since 1959, when the people of Tokyo presented 2,000 cherry trees to Toronto. Since then, Japanese and Japanese Canadian individuals and organizations have planted Sakura trees in various places around the province. A major example of this is the Sakura Project which planted 3082 Sakura trees around Ontario from 2000 to 2012. As cherry blossom season approaches once again, we are pleased to let you know of local events and initiatives related to Sakura.

Please watch this page for future updates!

Sakura Haiku Challenge (ongoing)
After the tremendous success we experienced last year, the Consulate-General of Japan once again held a Sakura Haiku Challenge, inviting submissions of Sakura-related haiku from our social media followers. We received almost 100 haiku not only from Ontario but around the world. We are now posting the submissions on Twitter (@CGjapanTO) and Facebook (facebook.com/JapanConsToronto).

Sakura Project Photo Book
This booklet is a collection of photos from Ontario cities, organizations, schools and more, that have received Sakura trees through the Sakura Project, and that have maintained the care of these trees so that their blooms can be enjoyed by the people of Ontario each year. 

Sakura Gozen at Edo-ko Restaurant (Until May 24)

This season, EDO Executive Chef Yale Zhong brings to you a very special Sakura Gozen (traditional set meal) experience: https://www.edorestaurants.com/sakura/


60 Years of Friendship Through Culture at the JCCC (Until May 2024)
Featuring the Strength in Sixty Sakura artwork by Elysha Rei:  https://jccc.on.ca/event/2023/05/60-years-friendship-through-culture


PAST EVENTS: 

The Royal Ontario Museum’s Sakura in Toronto: The Global Allure of Cherry Blossoms (Zoom Event; April 12)
Join ROM curators for this illustrated presentation delving into the museum’s collection of cherry blossom art, the plant’s cultural significance, and the history and ecology of Sakura in the GTA: https://www.rom.on.ca/en/whats-on/sakura-in-toronto-the-global-allure-of-cherry-blossoms
 
UNIQLO Canada Sakura Contest (Until April 20)
Get a chance to have your Sakura design theme displayed at a UNIQLO store (CF Toronto Eaton Centre)!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Uniqlo_Canada/status/1644460041121198080?cxt=HHwWgMDT5brspdItAAAA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniqloCanada/posts/pfbid02w9o9fWwH6UyFxvBQLXNDXmNbLRk5jyifRVpiFnAeZQaWDvYFMAod46oExFto59M6l

Sakura Celebration Weekend at IZUMI Sake Brewery (April 22 and 23)
IZUMI will have drinks and food from Nakamori Restaurant to celebrate Sakura at its brewery. Visitors can also enter to win one of the IZUMI Original Gift Boxes. 
Website: https://izumibrewery.com/pages/event-alert-%F0%9F%8C%B8-sakura-celebration-weekend-%F0%9F%8C%B8
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ontariosake/posts/pfbid032t8JTMMNgUkX2LoLompAycpYSZkng3UYf9B8W7nyjBf2PcqEsXGGsbR1y3idNwkDl

CBC's Our Toronto with segments on Sakura (April 29)
Segments feature the 60th anniversary of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, with the Strength in Sixty Sakura artwork, and the Sakura Gozen menu at EDO-ko restaurant. The entire episode can still be viewed here: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2199955011572?fbclid=IwAR3919ckBx8Mj1U2mN8l9Hm1paKQjqdobCKITa__h_1ZeWB34D7nRRssgXw&mibextid=tejx2t
 

Cherry Blossom Festival at MUJI Atrium (May 4: 6 - 9 PM)
Join MUJI in celebrating the beauty of Toronto's beloved cherry blossoms with the community and enjoying delicious refreshments. 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrUHFFwKeNF/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Facebook:  https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0UoByYXQVjQWDtst97B7ZTR36dewHWJS7qsUiPdyTgZxtBqP8srFAqHPeNxgxmAAol&id=326710778523&mibextid=tejx2t 


Subaru Canada's Road to Sakura Contest (Until May 5)
In this contest, you are shown a photo of Sakura, and you have to guess which city they're in for your chance to win great prizes. Check back every Monday for another chance to enter.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SubaruCanada/status/1645535703042752516?cxt=HHwWiICw0ZyAj9YtAAAA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SubaruCanada/posts/pfbid02NSGfSAR8g55azQcgHXPknjNsihYSodXRpU9j5yprWYyUgT7BhyuQ4RjxUL9wEb9cl

The Japanese Paper Place's Sakura Giveaway (To May 12, 2023, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm; while supplies last)
The Japanese Paper Place is participating to the celebration of the season, by giving away a Sakura-themed Japanese paper package for anyone who shops at its showroom:  
https://www.japanesepaperplace.com/news/sakura-giveaway-celebrate-the-majestic-blossoms/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrD6A-vvm_W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Facebook: https://rb.gy/lghiv

Burlington's Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival (May 13)
The Burlington Mundialization Committee hosts Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival in honour of Burlington’s twin city, Itabashi, Japan: https://www.burlington.ca/en/news/festivals-and-events/sakura-festival.aspx​
 

The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s Sakura Gala: Honouring Nikkei Legends in Sport (May 13)
It is the Sakura Gala’s commitment to raise funds to support the JCCC in the pursuit of its vision: “to enrich lives globally through the celebration of Japanese culture and Japanese Canadian heritage” and its mission, “to promote understanding, inclusion, and friendship by sharing the Japanese Canadian experience and traditional and contemporary Japanese culture”: https://jccc.on.ca/join-support/sakura-gala
 




RESOURCES:

DONATE TO THE CITY OF TORONTO’S SAKURA CHERRY TREES PROJECT
DonateTO: https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/partnerships-sponsorships-donations/donate/sakura-cherry-trees/

Sakura in Toronto (City of Toronto News Release - April 19)
The City of Toronto is predicting that the city's Sakura trees will reach peak bloom the week of this news release. Torontonians and visitors can enjoy this annual rite of spring in person at 15 city park location where cherry blossom trees are present.
Further details: https://www.toronto.ca/news/city-of-toronto-expects-peak-cherry-blossom-bloom-to-begin-tomorrow-across-toronto/


When can I expect the Sakura blossoms to bloom?
Sakura in High Park’s Sakura Watch: https://www.sakurainhighpark.com/

Where can I see Sakura in Toronto?


Where can I see Sakura in Ontario?
Consulate-General of Japan (Sakura Project trees): https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=18IXiQJvD1rtLxFoBwJ1NNQj35ys&msa=0&ll=43.27800636118369%2C-79.773397&z=8

Sakura’s History and Significance in Toronto:
CBC's "Our Toronto" devotes an episode to Sakura (2022): https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2028596803759

General Information on Sakura:
JNTO - Sakura: Japan's Symbol of Spring:
https://www.japan.travel/en/ca/sakura-cherry-blossom/

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