Japanese Buddhist Cultural Festival

Hanamatsuri: Celebrating the Birth of the Buddha

April 25 & 26, 2026 12pm - 6pm
150 Cedar Rd. Vista, CA 92083

Join Vista Buddhist Temple in celebrating and honoring the birth

of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha

View the full program schedule

Free admission & parking

Link for directions

Learn about Shin Buddhism and meditation

Vista Buddhist Temple's Minister's Assistants will be sharing a Buddhist dharma message. Stop by the temple to pour sweet tea over the statue of the baby Buddha, which represents the gentle rain that fell in Lumbini Garden when Siddhartha was born.

Catch a Taiko performance

Come listen to the Vista Buddhist Temple Shokenji Taiko drum group perform some of their greatest hits!

Participate in Japanese cultural activities & entertainment

Watch demonstrations of judo, the shakuhachi flute, taiko, and the koto
Practice your Japanese and listen to Japanese children's stories with the Japanese Language School
Win prizes at the game booth

Try fresh, homestyle Japanese food

Chirashi
Spam Musubi
Inari sushi
Udon
Beef teriyaki

Japanese curry
Yakisoba
Vista Buddhist Temple's Specialty Manju
Taikoyaki

Shop local produce, plants & flowers

A variety of local produce, flowers, and plants will be available for purchase

Stop by the Marketplace for Japanese handmade crafts

Stop by the Marketplace where a variety of hand made crafts and small goods, including bags, teacups, and Vista Buddhist Temple swag, will be available for purchase during the gathering.

Festival Program

Saturday, April 25 Schedule*

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

San Shi Judo
- Location: Community Center Stage

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

Koto Hands-On Workshop
- Location: Community Center South Room

Shakuhachi Flute, Mary Lu Brandwein
- Location: Vista Buddhist Temple Main Hall

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

Introduction to Buddhism
- Location: Vista Buddhist Temple Main Hall

Koto Hands-On Workshop (cont)
- Location: Community Center South Room

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

Japanese School Story Time
- Location: Community Center Kindergarten Room

4:30 PM - 5:15 PM

Southern California Koto Ensemble
- Location: Vista Buddhist Temple Main Hall

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

Shokenji Taiko
- Location: Outdoor Stage

Sunday, April 26 Schedule*