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SakuraFest 2026

Erik Sano — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:07:01 +0000

SakuraFest 2026 Erik Sano Mar 17, 2026

Dates

April 28, 2026 6:30pm - May 9, 2026 10:00pm

Event Category

SakuraFest brings the entire JCCC to life with a celebration of spring, creativity, and community. Throughout the festival, visitors can explore hands-on workshops, art experiences throughout the building, and special events inspired by the beauty of cherry blossom season. Relax under the cherry blossoms with our Hanami experience in the parking lot, and also enjoy film nights. Hanami Explained

Want to know when our Cherry Blossom trees are blooming? Keep an eye on our watch page here

Workshops include outdoor field recording sessions, a writing circle, and drawing sessions—inviting participants to slow down, create, and connect with the season.

Visitors can also experience Omote Ura, the spring artwork currently on view in Heritage Hall & Court, presented as part of the JCCC’s seasonal programming and on display throughout SakuraFest until May 9th.

The festival also features the Bazaar, reimagined as a celebration of Children’s Day (May 5th), with an expanded kids’ area and family-friendly activities designed to engage visitors of all ages. The Sakura Gala returns as a special evening celebration bringing the community together.

Celebrate spring through art, culture, and community at the JCCC. 🌸

Schedule of Events:

Tuesday April 28

Japan Earthquake Relief Fund Supporter Appreciation Event

Wednesday April 29

5:30pm - 8pm Hanami Viewing
- featuring DJ Ryo
- & Anna Sakamoto, Kimono chameleon @kimono.anna
5:30pm - 7pm Bento on sale in person or online April 29 provided by Kingyo Fisherman's Market
7pm - 8:30pm SakuraFest workshop: Intro to Field Recording and Experimental Sound Day 1

Thursday April 30

5:30pm - 8pm Hanami Viewing
5:30pm - 7pm Bento* on sale in person or online April 30 provided by Nakamori Japanese Restaurant
7pm SakuraFest film: OUR LITTLE SISTER | 海街 diary

*Bundle your bento with a film ticket to receive a discount. Purchase using the film link above. Only applicable for bento on the day of the film purchased online. Online Bento purchases close at 12pm Noon on the day of the movie.

Saturday May 2

12pm - 4pm Bazaar 2026

Sunday May 3

1pm - 3pm Hanami Viewing
- featuring DJ Ryo
1pm - 3pm Bento on sale in person or online May 3 provided by COO Cafe
7pm - 8:30pm SakuraFest workshop: Intro to Field Recording and Experimental Sound Day 2

Monday May 4

5:30pm - 8pm Hanami Viewing
5:30pm - 7pm Bento on sale in person or online May 4 provided by COO Cafe

Tuesday May 5

5:30pm - 8pm Hanami Viewing
5:30pm - 7pm Bento* on sale in person or online May 5 provided by Kingyo Fisherman's Market
7pm SakuraFest film: 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND | 秒速5センチメートル

*Bundle your bento with a film ticket to receive a discount. Purchase using the film link above. Only applicable for bento on the day of the film online. Online Bento purchases close at 12pm Noon on the day of the movie.

Wednesday May 6

5:30pm - 8pm Hanami Viewing
5:30pm - 7pm Bento on sale in person or online May 6 provided by Nakamori Japanese Restaurant
7pm - 8:30pm SakuraFest workshop: Intuitive Drawing w/ Yuka Yamaguchi

Thursday May 7

5:30pm - 8pm Hanami Viewing
5:30pm - 7pm Bento on sale in person or online May 7 provided by Kingyo Fisherman's Market
7pm - 8:30pm SakuraFest workshop: Portraits of Community Care

Saturday May 9

6pm - 10pm Sakura Gala 2026 honouring Bruce Kuwabara

What is Hanami?

Guests will be seated on tarps or benches beneath the trees, celebrating the cherry blossoms together with friends, family, and community. Tea will be served and bento boxes will be available for purchase.

Admission is free and reserved for JCCC members. Food sales will end at 7:00PM, but SakuraFest continues into the night with film screenings and workshops. Join us in welcoming spring together!

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Game 3: Japan vs. Sweden

Erik Sano — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:48:34 +0000

Game 3: Japan vs. Sweden Erik Sano May 14, 2026

Dates

June 25, 2026 4:00pm - 10:00pm

Event Category

Community Event

Social

FANFARE THEME

Cheer on Team Japan as they take on Sweden!

Free entry!

RSVP

RSVP strongly recommended to help secure entry and assist with event planning. Limited walk-in entry may still be available depending on venue capacity.

Games & Activities presented by J Athletics Canada

Water balloon yo-yos, super ball sukui
Ball curling, ball toss game, pinpoint target
Bouncy castle
Kick target
Kids’ crafts area including Balloon art, temporary tattoos, gachapon machine and origami

Food & Drinks (Open all game!)

J Athletics Canada Food booth
JCCC Bar

Viewing Locations

The Japan vs. Sweden soccer game will be screened in Kobayashi Hall and Shokokai Court

Map

Schedule:

4 - 9pm: Vendor hours
5 - 10pm: DJ Ryo (no DJ during gameplay)
7pm: Japan vs. Sweden kickoff

Wear your jerseys and bring thunder sticks. Cheer Japan on in the final group game with everything you have! Can we make it to the knockout rounds for the third tournament in a row?

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Game 2: Japan vs. Tunisia

Erik Sano — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:25:34 +0000

Game 2: Japan vs. Tunisia Erik Sano May 14, 2026

Dates

June 20, 2026 9:00pm - June 21, 2026 2:00am

Event Category

Community Event

Social

NIGHT MARKET THEME

Cheer on Team Japan as they take on Tunisia!

Free entry!

RSVP

RSVP strongly recommended to help secure entry and assist with event planning. Limited walk-in entry may still be available depending on venue capacity.

Games presented by J Athletics Canada

Face paint, temporary tattoos
Ball toss game
Kick target
Soccer films/videos screened in Hosaki Room

Food & Drinks (Open all game!)

J Athletics Canada Food booth
JCCC Bar

Viewing Locations

The Japan vs. Tunisia soccer game will be screened in Kobayashi Hall and Shokokai Court

Map

Schedule:

7pm: TorontoJFF film HOW DARE YOU?
9pm - 1am: Vendor hours
10pm - 12:30am: DJ Ryo (no DJ during gameplay)
12am: Japan vs. Tunisia kickoff

Spend your Saturday night with us for films, screenings, activities and more!

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Game 1: Japan vs. Netherlands

Erik Sano — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:26:27 +0000

Game 1: Japan vs. Netherlands Erik Sano May 14, 2026

Dates

June 14, 2026 12:00pm - 7:00pm

Event Category

Community Event

Social

OUTDOOR FESTIVAL THEME

Cheer on Team Japan as they take on the Netherlands!

Free entry!

~~RSVP~~ Maximum Capacity reached!

RSVP strongly recommended to help secure entry and assist with event planning. Limited walk-in entry may still be available depending on venue capacity.

Outdoor games presented by J Athletics Canada

Bouncy castle
Kick target
Pinpoint target
Raffle prizes
Kids’ crafts area including balloon art, temporary tattoos, a gachapon machine & origami

Beer Garden (Open all game!)

J Athletics Canada Food booth selling onigiri, oinari, kakigori, dagashi and more!
JCCC Bar

Firefighters Meet & Greet

Don't miss this unique experience! Climb aboard a real firetruck, meet the City's very own firefighters, and cool off with water play activities. Come join our meet-and-greet with the Toronto Fire Services team during our Soccer Public Viewing event!

Time: 3:00 PM

Viewing Locations

The Japan vs. Netherlands soccer game will be screened in multiple parts of the building (outdoors, Beer Garden, Kobayashi Hall and Shokokai Court) Outside Map First Floor Map Second Floor Map

Schedule:

12 - 6pm: Vendor hours
1 - 7pm: DJ Ryo (no DJ during gameplay)
1pm: TorontoJFF film THE LAST BLOSSOM
3pm: Firefighters Meet & Greet
4pm: Japan vs. Netherlands kickoff
7pm: TorontoJFF film ONE LAST THROW

A full day of activities, screenings, and fun for the whole family!

Plan Your Visit

We want everyone's experience to be as enjoyable as possible! Finding a parking spot during the festival can be difficult due to the large volume of visitors.

Limited parking is available at the JCCC as Game 1 will take place outdoors (weather permitting) in the JCCC parking lot, and accessibility parking will be prioritized.

Additional paid parking spaces are available near the JCCC. See plan your visit page for more details.

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Japan Earthquake Relief Fund Supporter Appreciation Event

Erik Sano — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:37:16 +0000

Japan Earthquake Relief Fund Supporter Appreciation Event Erik Sano Apr 10, 2026

Dates

April 28, 2026 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Event Category

Community Event

Social

On April 28 from 6:30-9 PM, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre will hold a Japan Earthquake Relief Fund (JERF) Supporter Appreciation Event in gratitude of all those who contributed!

Immediately following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, the JCCC established the JERF, to collect donations from Canadians to assist victims in the Tohoku Region who were severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Over the 14 years that the fund was active, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Foundation (JCCCF) disbursed 162 scholarships to 63 students studying at three universities: Tohoku University, Iwate Prefectural University, and Fukushima Medical University. As the generation of students that were affected by the events of 3/11 have, for the most part, completed their post-secondary education, the remaining funds were donated to support broader scholarships at the three universities in 2025.

To commemorate the many years of support provided by the JERF, the JCCC invites donors to join this special event! During the evening, former scholarship recipients and representatives from the three universities will visit from Japan to give speeches about how they overcame challenges in the face of such a devastating natural disaster, and how the financial assistance from JERF helped them succeed. For some of those who are visiting, it will be their first time on a plane, let alone their first time visiting Canada!

If you contributed to JERF, please RSVP for the event here.

- Event Details -
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm (Doors will open at 5:30 pm)
Location: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Sakura Way, Toronto, ON M3C 1Z5

Additionally, please feel free to share this with any friends or family who have also supported the fund!

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