The festival is held in Jinhae, a district of Changwon City, originally developed as a naval base for the Japanese during their occupation of Korea. During the occupation, the Japanese planted many cherry blossoms throughout the country, and Jinhae was no exception. The Jinhae Gunhangje Festival started in the 1950s as a celebration of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, the Korean military hero who played a significant role in the defeat of the Japanese navy during the Imjin War in the sixteenth century. Today, visitors attend the festival primarily to enjoy the beauty of Jinhae’s cherry blossoms. Festivities include concerts, a fireworks show, street parade, and the famous light festival along the Yeojwacheon Stream.