The City of Philadelphia kicked off the 18th Annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival today with music and sushi at The Shops at Liberty Place in Center City Philadelphia.

Children dressed in kimonos began the event by singing the Japanese song “Sakura, Sakura.” Speakers Kazumi Teune, Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, and Michael McHale, Director of Corporate Communications of festival sponsor Subaru of America Inc., were presented a proclamation from the City of Philadelphia honoring the festival.

After the presentation, Madame Saito, Philadelphia’s “Queen of Sushi,” taught McHale and Desiree Peterkin Bell, City Representative and Mayor's Director of Communications, how to make Breakfast Sushi. The roll was made of eggs, bacon, avocado, rice and seaweed, and was accompanied by maple syrup and cheese wiz as dips.

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From April 6 - 10, The Shops at Liberty Place will hold Japanese Culture Week from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m, and will include free activities such as origami, kimono dressing, calligraphy, Kamishibai story-telling and games of Shogi and Go (Japanese chess and othello).

During the week of April 6 - 12, there will be various events and activities taking place throughout the city and surrounding area for the 18th Annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival. Some of the events include sushi making classes, a Japanese film screening, a traditional Kaiseki dinner, a 10k/5k run, and more.

A handful of Japanese restaurants in the city will also offer their own version of Restaurant Week in honor of the festival. Some restaurants are offering a multi-course menu for $20 (lunch) or $35 (dinner), or 20 percent off from April 5 - 10.

The 18th Annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival will end with the festival’s main event, Sakura Sunday, on April 12. Located at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park, the event will feature Japanese food, games, live music, dance performances, fashion shows, crafts, martial arts, and the Prettiest Pet in Pink Parade for dogs.

For the full calendar of events for the festival, click here.