Sakurasonic

A sonic ritual beneath the cherry blossoms

Sakurasonic is the major highlight of the 2026 spring season at the Reggia di Venaria, located in the town of Venaria Reale near Turin, in Piedmont. Part of the In the Shadow of the Cherry Blossoms festival, the event offers a contemporary reinterpretation of the Sakura Matsuri, the traditional Japanese festival celebrating the cherry blossom. Rather than a mere folk re-enactment, it is a modern, immersive ritual spread throughout the gardens, featuring soundscapes, live performances, and collective listening sessions under a hundred illuminated cherry trees.

The Japanese artists

The project, curated by Chiara Lee and Freddie Murphy, brings together three prominent figures from the Japanese experimental scene:

• Hatis Noit, a vocal performer capable of building immersive soundscapes using only her voice;
• Kiki Hitomi, a musician and producer who blends DJ sets, electronics, and Matsuri-inspired vibes;
• Tsubasa Hori, a percussionist associated with the renowned Kodo ensemble, performing taiko drums among the park's trees.

Their performances move through the gardens as sonic parades and ambient sets, creating an experience that weaves together music, nature, and contemplation.

Collaboration with the MAO

Sakurasonic stems from a partnership between the Consorzio delle Residenze Reali Sabaude - La Venaria Reale and the MAO - Museum of Oriental Art in Turin, which brings its expertise in Asian cultures into the baroque setting of the Reggia. It is a dialogue between the East and the Savoyard heritage that makes this event unique in the Piedmontese cultural landscape.

Cherry blossoms and yozakura

The event coincides with the special evening openings of the gardens during the blooming season. The hundred cherry trees are illuminated to recreate the atmosphere of yozakura, the Japanese tradition of admiring cherry blossoms at night. An evening stroll among the blooming trees, accompanied by these performances, makes Sakurasonic one of the most evocative events of the spring in Turin.