Experience Japan in Dublin! The Hanami Festival 2025

Spring is shaking off its rainy boots and shimmying into something a bit more floral – because the Experience Japan Hanami Festival 2025 is about to blossom in the heart of Dublin!

On Sunday, 27 April Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park will once again transform into a petal-pink playground of Japanese culture, music, food, and fun. Think cherry blossoms, kimonos, taiko drums, and tasty treats – all wrapped up in one joyful (and completely free!) festival.

Ready for a cultural crossover under the cherry trees? Let’s dive in.

What’s On

From 12-4pm, the Hanami Festival packs a bento box of delightful activities. Here's what you can expect on the day:

• Main Stage Magic: A mix of Irish-Japanese musical fusion, traditional dance performances, and martial arts displays.

• Cultural Corners: Watch live demos of Japanese calligraphy, origami, ikebana (flower arranging), and more. There’s even a chance to try your hand at them!

• Japanese ‘Gaeltacht’: A dedicated area in the Pleasure Gardens for practising your Japanese language skills, and meeting new friends!

• Cosplay & Kimono: Always wanted to rock a yukata? Dress up and get ready to be admired. Dress-up is encouraged!

• Martial Arts: Demonstrations from a mixture of styles which originated in Japan, and are practised here in Ireland!

• Treasure Hunt: Enjoy a Treasure Hunt aimed at children, or a more challenging Scavenger Hunt for adults!

• Haiku and Poetry: Our tradition of reading verse under the cherry blossom continues this year.

• Japanese Regions Showcase: This year, the spotlight is on Okinawa, Chichibu, and Miake – bringing with them unique traditions, crafts, and stories that will make you want to book a flight to Japan ASAP.

• Foodie Paradise: From sushi to steaming bowls of ramen, and perhaps even some matcha-laced desserts, this is your moment to taste Tokyo without the airfare.

• Exhibition Extra: Step into the mysterious world of “Kwaidan—Encounters with Lafcadio Hearn,” a spooky-beautiful art exhibition featuring 40 artists from Japan and Ireland, celebrating the stories of this famed ghost-story collector.

Festival Details You’ll Need

• Date: Sunday, 27 April 2025

• Time: 12-4pm

• Location: Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin

• Entry: Totally FREE! All this goodness at zero cost. You just bring the good vibes and maybe a picnic blanket.

Getting There

Farmleigh is located in Phoenix Park and accessible by foot, bike, or bus. Just be sure to plan ahead – blossom fever tends to bring a crowd!

For full event details, head to the official Experience Japan Hanami Festival 2025 page. Come for the blossoms, stay for the bento - It’s fun, it’s free, it’s floral – and it's the perfect way to welcome spring with a cultural bang.