Cherry Blossom Festival

25th Ohanami | Cherry Blossom Festival
Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 12-4 p.m.

Lenhart Grand Ballroom
Bowen-Thompson Student Union
Bowling Green State University

Presented by the BGSU Japanese Club and the Asian Studies Program

The Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates Japanese culture and customs. Join us for individual activities or for the entire festival.

For more information, contact Akiko Kawano Jones at jakiko@bgsu.edu or 419-372-7136
 

To individuals with disabilities, please indicate if you need special services, assistance or appropriate modifications to fully participate in this event by contacting Accessibility Services at access@bgsu.edu or 419-372-8495. Please notify us prior to the event.

History of BGSU Cherry Trees

In the 1990s the alumni chapter in Tokyo, led by Mr. Emori, came up with the idea of donating sakura trees to BGSU. His vision was to create a site similar to the Washington, D.C. Potomac River cherry trees. In 2001, the dream finally came true. The alumni in Tokyo donated about 50 Japanese cherry trees to BGSU with the dream of having a wonderful park on campus some time in the future. The following year a Japanese company, Tochigi-Fuji, which used to be located in Bowling Green, donated an additional 20 trees. We also have three trees from Washington, D.C.’s original cuttings, which were a gift from the City of Tokyo to the U.S. during the Presidency of William Taft. BGSU’s tree-planting ceremony included a visit by Hope Taft, First Lady of Ohio at the time.

In 2010, Dowa THT America, a Japanese company in Bowling Green, donated 10 more trees to celebrate the 10th anniversary.

The BGSU cherry trees are visible on the north side of Alumni Mall near Kreischer quadrangle.