Sakura Square, Square in Denver, Colorado, United States
Sakura Square is a small plaza on the northeast corner of 19th Street and Larimer Street in Denver, Colorado. It serves as the entrance to the 20-story Tamai Tower apartment building, which has shops and restaurants on its ground and first floors, and features three busts, a small Japanese garden, and a starting point for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
The square took shape as part of the Tamai Tower development, which replaced earlier buildings on the block. Over time it became a focal point for honoring figures like Governor Ralph Carr and Minoru Yasui, whose busts were added to recognize their stands on Japanese American internment.
The square is a gathering place for Denver's Japanese American community, and its name refers to the cherry blossoms that are celebrated each year. Visitors can see people pause at the busts and garden, and during the festival the space fills with demonstrations of traditions like the tea ceremony and flower arranging.
The square is compact and easy to explore on foot, with level paving that makes it accessible for most visitors. It is a good spot to pause while walking through the surrounding streets, and the nearby shops and restaurants make it convenient to combine a visit with a meal or a break.
The bust of Governor Ralph Carr is a rare public acknowledgment of a politician who spoke out against the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The square also marks the start of the Cherry Blossom Festival, which draws people from across the region to celebrate Japanese traditions in the heart of Denver.
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