Clark College celebrates 200 blooming cherry trees at annual Sakura Festival

The festival honors spring, international friendships, and the college's diverse student community.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:26am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An impressionistic, out-of-focus scene of soft, warm light and color representing the blooming cherry blossoms, international students, and celebratory atmosphere of the Sakura Festival at Clark College.The vibrant, fleeting blooms of the Shirofugen cherry trees on Clark College's campus set the stage for the annual Sakura Festival, a celebration of spring, international friendships, and the diverse student community.Vancouver Today

Clark College in Vancouver, Washington hosted its annual Sakura Festival to celebrate the 200 Shirofugen cherry trees on campus, which were gifted to the city in 1990. The festival featured speakers, a koto performance, and remarks from past city leaders who helped plant the original 100 trees. International student Namika Miyagi likened her college journey to the fleeting bloom of the cherry blossoms, emphasizing the importance of nurturing one's roots to eventually bloom in one's own way.

Why it matters

The Sakura Festival is an important annual event that brings the diverse Clark College community together to honor the campus's iconic cherry trees, which symbolize the fleeting nature of college life and the enduring international friendships forged at the institution.

The details

The Sakura Festival featured several speakers, including international student Namika Miyagi, who compared her college experience to the blooming and fading of the cherry blossoms. The festival also included a koto performance by Yukiko Vossen, accompanied by Shigemi Getter. The 200 Shirofugen cherry trees on Clark's campus were originally gifted to the city of Vancouver by John Kageyama, president of America Kotobuki Electronics Inc., who planted the first 100 trees in 1990 alongside then-Vancouver Mayor Bruce Hagensen and Washington Governor Booth Gardner.

  • The Sakura Festival took place on April 16, 2026.
  • The original 100 cherry trees were planted in 1990.

The players

Namika Miyagi

A Clark College international student from Kanagawa, Japan who spoke at the Sakura Festival.

John Kageyama

The president of America Kotobuki Electronics Inc. who gifted the first 100 cherry trees to the city of Vancouver in 1990.

Bruce Hagensen

The mayor of Vancouver, Washington in 1990 when the first 100 cherry trees were planted.

Booth Gardner

The governor of Washington in 1990 when the first 100 cherry trees were planted in Vancouver.

Yukiko Vossen

A performer who played the koto, a Japanese stringed instrument, at the Sakura Festival.

Shigemi Getter

A performer who accompanied Yukiko Vossen on the koto at the Sakura Festival.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Sometimes we work hard but still cannot see if we are moving in the right direction. Our small effort at growing the roots where we cannot see them … one day … will help us bloom in our own way.”

— Namika Miyagi, Clark College international student

The takeaway

The Sakura Festival is an annual celebration that brings the Clark College community together to honor the campus's iconic cherry trees and the international friendships that have blossomed there, serving as a reminder of the fleeting nature of college life and the importance of nurturing one's roots to eventually bloom in one's own way.