#Japan #Tokyo #Ueno Park #Ueno Sakura Festival #Jiemon Terakado

Ueno Sakura Festival 2026: A Celebration of Cherry Blossoms and Cuisine

The Ueno Tourism Association, located in Taito City, Tokyo, is excited to announce the Ueno Sakura Festival 2026, set to take place from March 14 (Saturday) to April 5 (Sunday). This vibrant event will span 23 days at Ueno Park, coinciding with the peak cherry blossom season, offering visitors a spectacular blend of culinary delights and entertainment.

At the festival, over 100 food stalls will line the venue featuring regional delicacies from all 47 prefectures of Japan. The Ueno shopping district will enhance the offering with a diverse food court, ensuring that local favorites are showcased during this cherry blossom extravaganza. Ueno Park is renowned for attracting the largest number of cherry blossom viewers in Japan, making it the perfect backdrop for enjoying both the beauty of the flowers and the region's dishes.

This year's festival will be graced by special guest Jiemon Terakado from the comedy duo Dacho Club, who will kick off the festivities at the opening ceremony on March 19. In collaboration with his popular YouTube channel “Terakado Jiemon's Uzachan Channel,” Jiemon will offer a unique culinary experience through a pop-up store featuring Tohoku-sourced beef dishes and various merchandise. Furthermore, festival-goers can participate in a stamp rally that highlights popular eateries from the Ueno and Yushima neighborhoods as featured on Jiemon’s channel.

Exciting Live Performances

The festival will also feature a lineup of exciting live performances. On March 15, renowned artist Masashi Akikawa will take to the stage, followed by Leon Niihama on April 4. DJ Dinoji will perform on March 20 and 27, providing a vibrant musical atmosphere. Every day during the festival, various artists will host live performances across three venues within Ueno Park.

Food Highlights

Among the food offerings, festival-goers can look forward to treats such as:

• - “Oyamamenchi” from the famous Oya Meat Shop,
• - Grilled scallops from Aomori’s Mutsu Bay,
• - Namie Yakisoba from Fukushima.

In addition to local specialties, delicacies from well-known eateries will also be available, including:

• - Izu Ei bento,
• - Anmitsu from Mihashi,
• - Selections from Sakurai Western Cuisine.

Unique Attractions

One of the main attractions this year is the “Windmill Corridor” located on the Hasumi Deck, guaranteed to provide stunning photo opportunities for visitors. The ramen alley and various food trucks will also be a major draw, featuring dishes like the chicken and clam soy ramen from San-tou.

A Commitment to Recovery

This year's Ueno Sakura Festival holds special significance as it marks the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Ueno, known as the