4/5-6 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia

Hello everyone. Have you ever done hanami? It is a Japanese cultural word that refers to going out to parks and other places to appreciate and enjoy the blooming of cherry trees.

In Japan, from the end of March to the beginning of April every year, it is customary for family, friends, and co-workers to sit on a rug under a cherry tree, drink, eat bento lunch box, sing songs, etc. to have a good time together. It can be said that the concept of the Cherry Blossom Festival came from this hanami culture.

The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual spring celebration of Japanese arts and culture organized by Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP), with tremendous support from title sponsor Subaru of America, Inc.

Featuring a variety of events throughout the city, this yearly festival brings a taste of Japan to Philadelphia and highlights the beauty of Japanese sakura—the flowering cherry trees that brighten city streets and parks with their distinctive pink and white blossoms.

This weekend, we will attend this festival as a food vendor. Today, we will introduce some of the items we are going to offer at the festival. (Even if you cannot come to the festival, many of them are offered at our store in Ardmore, so you can still get them when you come visit us!)

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Some of The Items We Will Offer

Ocean Bomb Sparkling Water

Ocean Bomb Sparkling Water, featuring designs of popular characters from Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Sailor Moon, will be available for purchase. Not only are these drinks super cool/cute with their character packaging, they are also delicious. One sip and you will feel a burst of refreshment from every can. If you walk through the park with a can featuring your favorite character, you are sure to be asked where you bought it!

There are so many flavors you can choose choose from!

Dragon Ball - Apple, Vanilla, Melon

One Piece - Honey Lemon, Mango, Tropical Fruit

Sailor Moon - Pomero, Pear, Strawberry, Cucumber, Mango, Lychee, Pineapple, and Kiwi

Shirakiku, Ramune

Ramune are bottled Japanese soda. They are characterized by a marble inside the bottle near the drinking spout. One of the fun parts to drink a bottle is to remove the top lid and press it to open the bottle.

Ramune were introduced to Japan when the Gunboat Diplomacy happened in 1853 (After Commodore Matthew C. Perry led the fleets with him near the end of the Edo Period, Japanese people's lifestyles and cultures have become westernized). Ramune came to Japan from England as carbonated lemonade. At that time, a bottle did not have a marble, but was closed with a cork.

In 1865, the first lemonade was produced in Japan and sold as lemon water. However, the name lemon water did not catch on, and the name ramune, which is a pun on lemonade in Japanese, took root. It is surprising that the word ramune originated from lemonade.

There will be more flavors available!

Asahi, Calpico Strawberry

Asahi, Calpico Lychee

Asahi, Calpico White Peach

Calpico is a refreshing drink with a fresh flavor created from freshly squeezed Japanese milk and the fermentation of lactic acid bacteria and yeast that have been passed down for 100 years. It is a globally popular beverage that aims not only for physical health but also for mental health, symbolized by the smiles that its delicious taste brings.

JFC, Botan Ame Rice Candy

Botan rice candy are soft and chewy candy with an outer layer covered with an wafer sheet made of starch. When dry, the wafer sheet is transparent and plastic-like, but it melts in the mouth and can be eaten.

In 1924, exactly 100 years ago, with the growing popularity of Western confections in Japanese society, this type of candy was made to resemble Western-style caramel.

In Japan, they are sold as dagashi, candy and snacks marketed to Japanese elementary school children, but of course, they are also popular with adults. The yummy candy with bright and colorful packaging, bundled with a sticker inside, are enjoyable in many ways.

Meiji, Hello Panda, Chocolate

Meiji, Hello Panda, Strawberry

Hello Panda are bite-sized biscuits with some filling inside that is perfect for snacking. They are products of the Japanese confectionery company Meiji, which are a classic favorite in the U.S., Southeast Asia, etc. but, to your surprise, they are actually not sold in Japan. Did you know that?

The cute packaging is another reason for the popularity of these items. Also, each biscuit has a different pattern of panda on it, so it is fun to eat them while looking at them. We also sell other flavors in our store.

Calbee, Shrimp Chips Mini, Original

Calbee's Shrimp Chips are long-seller that have been around over 50 years. They are so popular in Japan that there is no one who does not know about them, and we are selling various flavors of them at Maido. The mini version will only be offered at the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Blending the savory taste of shrimp with authentic Japanese and Asian seasonings, Shrimp Chips are a healthy take on a traditional Asian snack.

Calbee, Jagarico Original

Calbee, Jagarico Hokkaido Butter

Jagarico are potato-based snacks that have been manufactured and marketed by Calbee since 1995. They are made by shaping potatoes that have been once blanched into thin sticks and deep-frying them. The unique crunchy and crispy texture and a variety of flavors make them popular, especially among children and young people. They are a signature product of Calbee.

Jaga is short for Jagaimo which means potato in Japanese, and Rico means delicious in Spanish. Just by hearing the name, it is easy to see how delicious they are, isn't it? Once you try them, you will be addicted. We offer more flavors at the store!

Amanoya, Himemaru Rice Crackers

Himemaru are golden-hued deep-fried rice crackers in the shape of a shell. With the crunchiness with a light soy sauce flavor, this treat achieves just the right balance between sweetness and saltiness while retaining a incredibly crispy and fresh texture. The spice gives a kick in the flavor and makes this snack perfect.

This product has been selling very well at the store. It is even loved by people who are not familiar with Japanese snacks including young children.

Wel Pac, Saki Ika Prepared Squid Original

Wel Pac, Saki Ika Prepared Squid Hot

Sakiika are processed food made by seasoning, searing, drying, and then tearing the squid. It may also be stretched before being ripped open, as the stretching process makes the squid soft and tender.

Sakiika are said to have originated in Japan's movie theaters in the 1950s, where they were sold like popcorn. Once you start eating, you will want to eat them one after another, so a bag will be empty in no time. These are very popular as a nibble with beer and other drinks.

We offer the original flavor and hot flavor.

Onigiri Rice Balls

Do not forget. Here is our most popular item at the Cherry Blossom Festival: Onigiri rice balls, which the Maido staff works together for hours to prepare for everyone.

All of you who are reading this might know what they are already, but our onigiri are made from cooked rice formed into a triangular shape with some filling and wrapped in nori seaweed.

It is the only time of the year we make so many onigiri (literally hundreds of them!) to offer. Do not miss out on the many varieties of fillings onigiri we will be selling again this year - Salmon, Salmon With Mayo, Salmon With Wasabi, Tuna With Mayo, Spicy Tuna (Without Fish Roe), Ume Pickled Plum, Kombu Seaweed, and Plain (Salted White Rice).

We will also offer some other food and drinks not listed here. We hope to see you at The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival. Make sure to put the dates (4/5-6) on your calendar now, so you will not miss it!

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There is a lot of food items, housewares, stationery, and gifts available at the store and our online store, Maido! Kairashi Shop, where you can place your order for shipping or store pickup! Happy shopping. :)