The 2023 Iwakura Cherry Blossom Festival has been cancelled.

Typically held from late March through early April, the Iwakura Cherry Blossom Festival has been cancelled in order to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in Japan and out of consideration for the health and safety of all participants and staff. In connection with this, events related to the Cherry Blossom Festival, street stalls in the festival space or the Higashi-machi rest area, temporary parking, and so on will not be held. Evening illumination will be held but only in select locations.

The arch can be seen in April, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. There are illuminations from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM during this period, and the floating nighttime cherry blossoms are truly fantastical. Also, on the Saturday and Sunday in the first week of April, there are float parades, performances of "nombori arai" (where people go into the Gojo River and wash off glue used to demarcate the patterns on carp streamers) and other events which liven up the festival.

Nonbori-Arai Flag Washing
One of the steps in the ancient method of dyeing nobori flags is washing away the glue that is used to isolate parts of the fabric that must not enter into contact with the pigments. This tradition is one of the cultural legacies of Iwakura, and when it's held during sakura blossoms season, huge numbers of tourists gather to enjoy the picturesque sights of the craftsmen working in the river.