Japanese Buddhist Cultural Festival
Hanamatsuri: Celebrating the Birth of the Buddha
April 26, 2025 12pm - 7pm
150 Cedar Rd. Vista, CA 92083
Join Vista Buddhist Temple in celebrating and honoring the birth of
Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha
See below for full festival schedule
Free admission & parking
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
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Watch a Judo demonstration
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Practice your Japanese with our Japanese Language School
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Enjoy Japanese dancing
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Win prizes at the game booth
Try fresh, homestyle Japanese food
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Chirashi
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Spam Musubi
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Inari sushi
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Udon
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Beef teriyaki
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Japanese curry
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Yakisoba
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Vista Buddhist Temple's Specialty Manju
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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*:
1:00pm - 1:45pm
Judo Demonstration, San-Shi Judo Club
Japanese Community Center Stage
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2:00pm - 2:45pm
Shakuhachi Flute, Mary Lu Brandwein
Vista Buddhist Temple Hondo (Main Hall)
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3:00pm - 4:00pm
Introduction to Buddhism, Vista Buddhist Temple Ministerial Team
Vista Buddhist Temple Hondo (Main Hall)
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3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ikenobo Ikebana Demonstration, Sachiko Kohatsu & Mika Sawada
Japanese Community Center South-West Corner, Glass Room
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4:30pm - 5:15pm
Japanese Dance, Kiku no Mai Dance Group
Japanese Community Center Stage
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6:00pm
Shokenji Taiko, Vista Buddhist Temple
Outdoor Festival Area
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