JASCO Cherry Blossom Day
- JASCO
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
April 6, 2025 | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
On April 6th, JASCO hosted Cherry Blossom Day at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, drawing more than 4,000 guests in a single day to celebrate Japanese culture. Held on the Conservatory’s Community Day—which offers free admission monthly to residents of the City of Columbus and Franklin County—this year marked the 4th annual collaboration between JASCO and the Conservatory to welcome the cherry blossom season together. The event featured a vibrant lineup of cultural performances, workshops, and hands-on activities for guests of all ages:
In the workshop space, Misako Rocks!, a Japanese manga artist and educator, led three fully attended manga illustration workshops. With Misako’s fun and encouraging instruction, participants learned how to draw anime-style characters—complete with signature big eyes!
On the performance stage, the Columbus Koto Ensemble captivated audiences with a beautifully arranged piece composed by ASUKA, written specifically for the ensemble. In the afternoon, the Dublin Taiko Group energized the crowd with their powerful and dynamic Taiko drumming performance.
Guests also enjoyed interactive cultural tables hosted by community members and JASCO volunteers:
The Japanese Student Organization at The Ohio State University offered a calligraphy table, giving attendees a chance to try their hand at traditional Japanese brush writing.
JASCO volunteers ran an origami and bookmark station, where guests could fold origami and receive a personalized bookmark featuring their names written in Japanese characters.
In partnership with Columbus Kimono, guests had the unique opportunity to try on a yukata (a casual summer kimono) and take photos dressed in traditional attire.
The Columbus Bonsai Society showcased the art of bonsai care and styling with live demonstrations and displays
The festivities were rounded out by a marketplace of 7 artisan vendors and 3 food vendors, offering Japanese-inspired arts, goods, and tasty treats throughout the day.
We are deeply grateful to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for their ongoing partnership with JASCO. Special thanks go to the Greater Columbus Arts Council for their generous funding support, and to the 30 dedicated volunteers who helped make this event a phenomenal success!