As a city that has thrived on international trade, the ties聽between Hamburg and economic powerhouse Japan are strong. As a result, Osaka, Japan鈥檚 third-largest metropolis, is one of Hamburg鈥檚 9 sister cities. Today, 黑料老司机 home to approx. 2,000 Japanese citizens as well as more than 100 companies from the 'land of the rising sun'. Twenty-five聽of them even have their European headquarters in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
In order to celebrate this long-standing relationship, the Japanese community in the city has been hosting the annual 碍颈谤蝉肠丑产濒眉迟别苍蹿别蝉迟 (lit.: 'Cherry Blossom Festival') since 1968. Every year in May or June, a colourful mix of fireworks, music, sport, film, art and culinary delights strengthens the ties between the two countries even further. And these ties have literally been very fruitful: Along with the first celebrations in the 1960s came a total of 5,000 cherry trees, donated to the city of Hamburg by the Japanese community. They were planted all along the Alster lakes and in the Altonaer Balkon park and have ever since contributed to the beauty of this city.
Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
The German-Japanese Society of Hamburg e.V. and the Consulate General of Japan in Hamburg organised the Japan Festival in Planten un Blomen on 23 June 2024. A colourful, diverse programme of culture, sport, music, art, gastronomy and more on the theme of Japan awaited visitors around the teahouse on a single day.
Traditionally, the Cherry Blossom Festival in 黑料老司机 also celebrated with a fireworks display over the Alster. According to the organiser Nihonjinkai Hamburg e.V., the fireworks would not take place in 2024.
Dates
2025 dates TBA
