Release Date: March 11,2025
Downtown Akron Sakura Festival Returns April 5, 2025
March 11, 2025, Akron, Ohio — Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) announces the Fifth Annual Downtown Akron Sakura Festival along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail on Saturday, April 5, from 1 to 7 pm, with hubs of activation at Lock 1, Lock 2, Lock 3 (open until 8), the Towpath Trail near Spaghetti Warehouse, the Mustill Store Museum and James R. Williams Tower. The celebration is a love letter to the 472 cherry blossom trees planted by the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio (JANO) and the City of Akron in 2011 and 2012 and honors the coming of spring, Japanese culture and JANO’s generous gift to the downtown neighborhood. Last year’s celebration brought an estimated 8,000 visitors to the event footprint.
Chiaki Nakayama of JANO says, “This is what we really wanted to bring to the community, happiness and fun. The beauty of the cherry blossoms touches people in many different ways. It is something special that you will never forget.”
Festival highlights this year will include 30+ retail and 20+ food vendors, live musical and dance performances, Japanese folk games, story and history walks, tea and sake tastings, a wish ribbon activity, kite flying, horticulturist walks, a guided scenic bike ride, a bonsai display, a comic book and anime hub, a headlining performance by J-Art Band from 6 to 7:30 pm on the stage of Lock 3’s Maynard Performance Pavilion and more. A full schedule of the activities and attractions at each location, including some that require participants to register ahead of time, will be available at downtownakron.com.
DAP Communications Director Dominic Caruso says, “The Downtown Akron Sakura Festival has really become the gateway to spring in downtown, and a wonderful way to honor the partnership between JANO and the city of Akron that brought the cherry blossom trees to the Towpath Trail. Even though Northeast Ohio weather is variable, rain or shine this event is always a great afternoon for families to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate Japanese culture.”
DAP will join JANO, with help from the learners of NIHF STEM Middle School, in following the blossoms as they emerge, and will use social media to invite visitors to view their splendor throughout the brief bloom. Follow DAP on social media for updates on the blossoms. The exact blooming dates of the trees are difficult to predict and only last a handful of days, but the festival will take place April 5 regardless.
Additionally, DAP will bring back the popular Sakura Photo Contest that takes place on Facebook and Instagram. The contest will be open March 23 – April 18, 2025. To enter the contest, social media users should post their best cherry blossom photos and tag DAP. Multiple entries are warmly welcomed. Prizes will be awarded to the photographers of the top three photos.
DAP is seeking folks who enjoy engaging with their community to fill volunteer shifts for this event, which include but are not limited to decorating for the festival, assisting with crafts and activities, and helping clean up after the event. Anyone interested is invited to sign up through this online form.
A recap of last year’s festival is available to read here.
Parking and Points of Entry
Parking is available behind Spaghetti Warehouse, and the Towpath Trail is accessible directly behind the parking lot.
Parking is also available in the State St. parking deck. The Towpath is accessible from the State St. trail entry (behind Canal Park Stadium).
Parking for James R. Williams Tower is located in the Channelwood lot, located behind the apartment complex, off Dart Ave.
Limited parking is available for the Mustill Store Museum at 57 W. North St.
The 2025 Downtown Akron Sakura Festival is made possible with support from the Knight Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, the City of Akron and Lock 3, GAR Foundation and Akron Community Foundation. Other community partners include the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio (JANO), Asian Services in Action (ASIA), Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc., Akron Civic Commons, Cascade Locks Park Association, Akron Children’s Hospital, The University of Akron Zips Activity Board, and Akron Children’s Museum.