Kampai! Japan Brings Sake and Sushi to Washington

Taiko drummers beat their drums. Local restaurants served delicious sushi -- a type of food made with uncooked fish, rice and vegetables.

And most everyone drank sake, or Japanese rice wine.

The Grand Sake Tasting was held in Washington D.C. on September 30. The Carnegie Library in the heart of the city was full of Japanese, Americans and others, enjoying the traditional alcoholic drink from Japan called sake.

Japanese food and music were also served to the 100 or so people who attended the event. This was the third year the fundraiser was held.

Money raised from ticket sales – each ticket cost $100 to $150 -- supports the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival celebrates the native Japanese trees the Japanese government donated to the U.S. in 1912. Each year when the trees bloom pink flowers, thousands of people come to Washington to see them along the Potomac River.

Haruka Takeuchi, our VOA intern, has more (in the video) as she explores this event celebrating her native culture!

I'm Jonathan Evans.

Pete Musto reported and wrote this story for VOA news Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.