Sakura Days Japan Fair celebrates all things Japan – from Japanese food, drink and performances, to music and art. Join us and immerse yourself in Japanese culture – participate in a traditional tea ceremony, try Japanese festival food, sample premium sake, learn new Japanese games, and enjoy a range of cultural performances. Discover a wide variety of vendors and exhibitors featuring local Japanese food, crafts, and businesses.
Most activities will take place outdoors, with select vendors, tea ceremony, and curated experiences that will take place indoors. Look forward to taiko drumming, theatre performances, and woodworking demonstrations, just to name a few!
Looking forward to seeing you at this year’s Sakura Days Japan Fair!
Event Details
Sakura Days Japan Fair takes place in the spectacular VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak Street).
🌸 Saturday, April 12, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:30PM)
🌸 Sunday, April 13, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30PM)
Tickets will be available for purchase on February 18th!

Social Media
We would love to see your photos and posts from the upcoming Sakura Days Japan Fair and Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival! Please remember to tag us @japanfair and @vancherryblossomfest on your social media posts, and use the hashtag #VanCherryBlossomFest and #SDJF to help us find and share your content. We can’t wait to see your experiences at the event!
What’s New?
We are continuing the success of the last two years and fine tuned the event to make it even more enjoyable.
We have maintained the increased numbers of food vendors and the extremely popular Yukata Dressing Tent. The Floral Stage is back as a second performance stage.
We are continuing to provide a smooth guest entry experience with the use of a second entry gate and timed ticket entry at the start of the day.
Event Tickets
Early Bird Event tickets are on sale February 18, 2025.
Advance Event tickets are on sale March 18, 2025.
Day Of tickets are on sale:
- Apr 12, 00:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Apr 13, 00:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Early Bird (Until Mar 17) | Advance (Until Apr 11) | Day Of (Apr 12-13) | |
Adult | $20.00 | $24.00 | $26.00 |
Senior | $16.00 | $19.00 | $21.00 |
Children | $8.00 | $9.00 | $11.00 |
VBGA Adult* | $13.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 |
VBGA Senior* | $12.00 | $14.00 | $16.00 |
VBGA Child* | $6.00 | $7.00 | $9.00 |
Children 4 and under** | Free | Free | Free |
Disability Support Attendant** | Free | Free | Free |
*Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) members only. VBGA members are required to show their valid membership card at the entry point. Learn how to purchase or renew your VBGA membership here.
**Children age 4 and under are admitted free of charge. Patrons requiring the assistance of an Attendant can request a complimentary ticket for their Attendant. Please see the on-site box office team at the Main Entry Gate.
To continue our goal to provide a smooth guest entry experience, Timed Ticket Entry returns for the start of each day. Tickets are purchased for the Saturday and/or the Sunday event. Tickets can not be exchanged for the other day and there are no refunds. All purchases are final.
Here are the following entry time periods that can be purchased online and in advance:
- 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
- 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
- 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM (Sat) or 5:00 PM (Sun)—Entry must be at least 30 minutes before the event ends.
Please do not lineup more than 15 minutes ahead of your Timed Ticket Entry.
In addition to the Main Entry Gate at the main entrance to VanDusen off Oak Street, we are continuing to provide a second alternate entry at West Entry Gate located on the west side of the garden’s parking lot. Any Customer Service or Box Office questions will be managed at the Main Entry Gate at the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre.
Please contact [email protected] with any ticket purchasing questions or group ticket sales (10 or more regularly priced Adult tickets). Children age 4 and under are admitted free of charge. Patrons requiring the assistance of an Attendant can request a complimentary ticket for their Attendant. Please see the on-site box office team at the Main Entry Gate.
Ticket Purchase Terms and Conditions
Ticket prices do not include ticket platform fees, GST, and credit card processing fees. All purchases are final. The event is rain or shine. Event ticket purchases are only valid for the specific date and time detailed on the ticket, and it is not possible to change a Saturday ticket for a Sunday ticket and vice versa. Entry must be at least 30 minutes before the event ends.
Tickets are sold online. Tickets purchased at the door still use the same online process. Children age 4 and under are admitted free of charge. Patrons requiring the assistance of an Attendant can request a complimentary ticket for their Attendant.
Vancouver Botanical Garden Association (VBGA) members that hold a valid membership card can purchase discounted event tickets in advance of the Day Of event. Please be sure to select the appropriately named event ticket. Valid membership cards must be presented along with the discounted event ticket. Both tickets and memberships will be checked at the door. Discounted VanDusen membership rates are only applicable for those persons with a valid membership and do not extend to their guests. If you are a current member and would like to bring family or friends, please select the regular tickets for your guests.
Membership benefits and discounts do not transfer to guests accompanying members.
Click here to renew or purchase a VBGA membership.
See full event ticket purchasing terms and conditions here.
How to Prepare Yourself for the Event
Here are some tips to prepare yourself for a wonderful day at the event:
- The event is rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
- There is limited outdoor seating. You may wish to bring a blanket to picnic on.
- There is no stroller parking. Please be prepared to use your stroller for the day.
- Parking is very limited. We strongly encourage using public transit, walking, or biking. VanDusen Garden is located on the #17 Oak bus route and is a 15-minute walk from the Oakridge Canada Line station. Once the VanDusen lot is full, parking is limited to the surrounding neighbourhood streets. Plan ahead so you do not miss your timed ticket window.
- There is no bicycle valet, but there will be a limited number of unattended bicycle racks.
- Passenger drop off zone is located off Oak Street.
- Please have your tickets ready on your mobile device or printed out for scanning upon arrival. Turn up your screen brightness!
- Visitors must arrive within their designated entry ticket slot. Please do not lineup more than 15 min ahead of your Timed Ticket Entry. Entry must be at least 30 minutes before the event ends.
- VBGA Members are required to show their valid membership card for scanning with their tickets.
- Leave pets at home. Working guide and service dogs are welcome.
- This event is wheelchair accessible.
- Masks are welcome. Some indoor activities take place in smaller rooms.
- Come hungry! There are plenty of food vendors on site. Visit vcbf.ca for additional event details.
- Many vendors are cash only.
- Have fun & snap some photos – don’t forget to use #SDJF #VanCherryBlossomFest and tag @japanfair @vancherryblossomfest in your posts!
If you have general event questions, please contact [email protected] or connect with us through social media. For any ticketing questions, please email [email protected].
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is delighted to present Sakura Days Japan Fair in partnership with the Japan Fair Association of Vancouver (JFAV), the all-volunteer organizing committee of this two-day event.
Photo Credits: Barry Yip, Gianell Campos (@gianellcamposphoto, gianellcampos.com), Kiran G. (@kgug.yvr). Please credit the photographer as listed in the photo.


Programs subject to change. All event titles are protected trademarks of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.