2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony co-presented with The Japan Foundation

The National Cherry Blossom Festival’s signature Opening Ceremony is an artistic celebration of the 1912 gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, D.C., and an annual tribute to the longstanding friendship between Japan and the United States.
This unique, one-time-only performance will feature special performances from acclaimed artists with ties to both countries. Performers include acclaimed New York-based composer and instrumentalist Kaoru Watanabe, choreographer/dancer and general artistic director of Noism Company Niigata Jo Kanamori, The Washington Ballet Company, and folk singer/songwriter Naotaro Moriyama. The night will also feature a Moment of Friendship between the Japanese Ambassador and the Mayor of Washington, DC.
This presentation will offer auto-captioning for the hearing-impaired.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival encompasses four weeks of food, fun, culture, art, and entertainment throughout Washington, DC March 20 - April 14 celebrating the iconic cherry blossoms.
Let's Spring Together! Visit NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org to plan your Festival experience today!

[@momoetamada2376]

I'm a fan of Moriyama Naotaro. As I listen to his voice and tune, I feel as if I was wrapped in a warm blanket. People around the world should know his music. He's an amazing singer-songwriter!

[@roksonak]

Thank you for the great Opening Ceremony! It was great to see and hear artists live. Naotarō Moriyama is a miracle.

[@user-kh8nb8dw5g]

本当に素晴らしい👍直太朗さんを追いかけて20年ほど経ちますが、どこまでも未来を生きている姿に感服しかありません。🎉

[@user-kq6to7md3b]

日本の宝、森山直太朗さんとってもかっこよかったです🌸🌸🌸朝から素敵なライブを見ることができ、充実感と感動がいっぱいです💕良い一日にできそうです😊みなさん、お疲れ様でした💕

[@tawan2562]

bravo Naotaro 👏👏👏👏👏🌸

[@-aomi-6990]

生配信 アーカイブありがとうございます🙏
素晴らしい歌声を日本にいながら観れて幸せでした🥰🌸

[@nature0316]

Wonderful event! Thank you very much for livestreaming❤

[@user-rc5yf7ti9f]

夢の様な素敵な時間でした✨
直太朗さん最高 !!!!

[@user-hy9ws7un6l]

直太朗さんから4曲聴けるなんて贅沢すぎる🥰

[@yumi_nana7a]

とっても素晴らしかったです！🌸🌸🌸

[@marietarallo3403]

Live long and prosper 🖖

[@user-kl9lh6jt6v]

朝から、素敵な歌声聴けて嬉し過ぎます❤　配信ありがとうございます😊

[@asa-bd9jq]

配信ありがとうございました( ⁎ᵕᴗᵕ⁎ )直太朗さんの歌聞けて嬉しかったです🙏✨感動しました🌸

[@user-sx1ol3jw4b]

とても素敵で感動しました❤

[@rizuusagi_1208]

良かったですよ！
素晴らしい

[@taeco9744]

Wonderful! Amazing! Fantastic! Thank you very much!キミノスゴサヲキミハシラナイNaotaro🌟You are the Best in the world!in the universe!٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶🌸🌸🌏🪐✨✨✨どーもありがとうfrom Japan with a lot of Love🥰🥰🍀

[@user-ed7ux8pz4s]

ワシントンバレエと金森穣氏のコラボレーション、静謐なダンスで感動しました。

[@user-tl7iy6uz4b]

ワシントンバレエ団、感激しました！音声が残念だったので、上から重ねてのせるとかできないものでしょうか…？

[@Gojoseon]

The music stuttered a lot during the ballet, unfortunately. In future the Cherry Blossom Festival needs to work on their sound.

[@elizabethsaid6141]

Glad it’s not just me 😂

[@johnmalott9542]

I was at the performance, and the music was perfect. I don't know why the UA-cam soundtrack was bad.