Sakura Square, Denver

Sakura Square is a culturally significant plaza located at the intersection of 19th Street and Larimer Street in Denver. It serves as a central hub for Denver's Japanese-American community and features several notable landmarks and attractions. The square is home to the busts of Ralph L. Carr, the Governor of Colorado from 1939 to 1943, Minoru Yasui, a Japanese-American lawyer, and Yoshitaka Tamai, a Buddhist priest who lived in Denver. These busts commemorate individuals who have made significant contributions to the Japanese-American community, particularly Governor Carr, who was the only U.S. elected official to publicly apologize for the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Sakura Square also features a small Japanese garden, providing a serene space in the urban environment, and it serves as the entrance to the Tamai Tower, a 20-story apartment building that occupies most of the block. The building's ground and first floors house various shops and restaurants, adding to the square's vibrant atmosphere.

A key event hosted at Sakura Square is Denver's annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place in late June. This festival is a lively celebration of Japanese culture, featuring traditional practices such as the Japanese tea ceremony and ikebana (flower arrangement). The event also includes numerous food stands offering Japanese cuisine, vendor booths, community information tables, and live music performances. The festival culminates in the evening with a traditional bon odori dance, where participants often dress in yukata or other traditional Japanese attire, creating a colorful and festive atmosphere.