Japanese Summer Festivals across the United States
June - September 2018
Arts Japan 2020 is an online celebration of Japan-related cultural programs across the United States. This preview features a representative sample of upcoming Japan-related festivals across the United States. To recommend other programs for Arts Japan 2020 to feature, click here. For a directory of organizations that create, present and support Japan-related programs in the United States, click here.
Our second annual roundup of Japanese summer festivals features 20 festivals in 16 cities across the United States. From late June through September 2018, these events celebrate Japanese food, music, dance, visual arts, fashion, cinema, martial arts, manga, anime, ceramics and a range of other traditions and practices.
Some of these festivals (including Los Angeles' Nisei Week and Atlanta's Japan Fest) have been around for decades, while others (like Bellevue's Japan Fair and Manhattan's Liberty City Anime Con) are only a few years old. But all of these festivals offer exuberance, spectacle and a wealth of opportunities to learn about Japanese culture.
Festivals are listed by state; a chronological directory of festivals can be found at the end of this article.
CALIFORNIA
Nisei Week
Los Angeles
August 11-19
This annual festival, which dates back to 1934, takes over streets, theaters, and event spaces in Los Angeles for a celebration of Japanese culture and community. This year's highlights include a Grand Parade through Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo, street dancing, Nisei Week’s Rubik’s Cube Open competition, and the Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza-Eating Championship. Interested in joining the Nisei Week Royal Court, or entering the race to be crowned Queen? Visit http://www.niseiweek.org/ to learn more.
Nihonmachi Street Fair
San Francisco
August 4-5
Based in San Francisco’s vibrant Japantown, this 45-year-old festival calls itself “the original melting pot of street fairs” — and with good reason. The weekend’s diverse offerings include the Sounds of Thunder vintage car show, Doggie World pageant and parade, 5th Annual Asian American Adult Invitational Co-Ed Basketball Tournament, and much more. Festival details can be found at http://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/.
San Mateo Buddhist Temple Bazaar
San Mateo
June 23-24
Visitors to the San Mateo Buddhist Temple on Bazaar weekend can experience beautiful works displayed by a variety of local artists, as well as a silent auction, bingo, and other games. The bazaar offers a variety of food and plants for sale, and daily performances of traditional Japanese percussion courtesy of San Mateo Taiko. Visit http://sanmateobuddhisttemple.org/ for details.
COLORADO
Denver Cherry Blossom Festival
Denver
June 23-24
This Denver celebration features exhilarating live drum performances from Denver Taiko, demonstrations of martial arts like Budokan and Aikido, and a variety of Japanese dance performances. Festival-goers can also sit in on Buddhism lectures and enjoy displays of expertly-crafted Ikebana flower arrangements, miniature Bonsai trees, and Shodo calligraphy. Visit cherryblossomdenver.org for details.
GEORGIA
JapanFest
Atlanta
September 15-16
The largest event of its type in the southeast United States, this 32-year-old festival offers visitors live performances, workshops and a marketplace that features Japanese food, art, and gifts. Don’t miss the unique performance of comical theater by Nomura Kyogen in the traditional Noh-Kyogen style, or Motoko’s entrancing storytelling in the Rakugo tradition. Details are at https://www.japanfest.org/.
HAWAII
Okinawan Festival
Honolulu
September 1-2
In this festival, the residents of one beautiful island in the Pacific Ocean honor the culture of another. Visitors can enjoy regional food like Okinawan-style soba buckwheat noodles and Andagi Okinawan doughnuts. Among other highlights, the festival will feature a special performance by the winner of Japan's “Radio Okinawa Miuta Taisho” singing contest. Visit http://www.okinawanfestival.com/ for details.
ILLINOIS
Ginza Holiday
Chicago
August 10-12
Members of the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Chicago started this annual festival over 60 years ago. Performances include martial arts demonstrations, music played on the Koto (a traditional Japanese string instrument) and Minyo Japanese folk dancing. Ginza Holiday also offers visitors the rare opportunity to view and purchase works created by The Waza, a Japan-based artisan federation that preserves and practices traditional crafts. Details can be found at https://ginzaholiday.com/.
LOUISIANA
MechaCon
New Orleans
July 27-29
Described as “a revolutionary Anime convention experience,” MechaCon celebrates the worlds of Japanese animation, Japanese culture, and Transformers. In addition to stunning costumes, widespread gaming options, and expert panelists, visitors shouldn’t miss the official MechaCon scavenger hunt and the interactive, family-friendly MechaMaid Clubhouse. Plan your visit at www.mechacon.com.
NEW MEXICO
New Mexico Aki Matsuri Festival
Albuquerque
September 23
Hosted by the New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League for over 20 years, this festival raises money to help the organization maintain a cultural center for Japanese heritage and preserve the history of World War II-era Japanese-American internment in the southwest United States.
Entertainment will include traditional dance and singing performances, sake and beer samplings, dedicated children’s activities and more. Visit http://www.nmjacl.org/ for details.
NEW YORK
JapanFes
New York City
July 15, August 26 and September 8
JapanFes brings Japanese culture and community to New York City throughout the summer months. Grab authentic cuisine in Times Square on July 15 with Asia Bites, peruse a vibrant street fair in the East Village on August 26, and witness the All Japan Ramen Contest on September 8th in the West Village and the following day on the Upper East Side. Full details are at japanfes.com.
Japan Cuts: Festival of new Japanese film
New York City
July 19-29
"This is the wildest annual NYC film festival, which reflects the Japan Society’s commitment to the rollicking, no-holds-barred nature of the country’s film culture,” says New York Magazine of this festival, which is the largest of its kind in North America. Featured films cover genres from anime and avant-garde to documentaries, blockbusters, and everything in between. Details are at http://www.japansociety.org/page/programs/film/japan-cuts-2018.
Liberty City Anime
New York City
August 17-19
Billed as “the best three-day Anime convention in New York City,” Liberty City Anime offers over 100 events and panels, game tournaments and Anime screenings, dealers and art exhibits. Don’t miss The Magic 8-Ball, an elegant formal extravaganza that includes dance lessons for those who want to brush up their steps. Learn more at http://www.libertycityanimecon.com/.
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Japan Summer Festival
Raleigh
August 4
Escape the summer heat at this indoor festival, where featured activities include origami paper folding, dancing in the traditional Bon style, Japanese calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and a children’s Mikoshi parade. Come prepared to sing in the festival’s first ever “Carolina Idol Japanese Karaoke Contest.” Details are at www.ncjapanfest.org/.
OREGON
Sake Fest PDX
Portland
June 27
Fans of Japanese rice wine won’t want to miss this festival, which includes tastings of over 180 varieties of sake, plum wine, and beer. Visitors will not only experience offerings from top Japanese and American manufacturers, but also gain expert wisdom on food pairings — and walk away with a free souvenir tasting glass. Visit www.sakefestpdx.com for details.
TENNESSEE
Memphis Japan Festival
Memphis
September 30
Held at the beautiful Memphis Botanic Garden, this festival hosts a variety of activities including origami, tea house visits, storytelling, and more. Highlights include performances by the Kent Family Magic Circus, which toured Japan for several years, and street performer The Candyman, who is described as “the only person in the U.S. practicing the ancient Japanese art of amezaiku, sculpting hot taffy into shapes of animals.” Learn more at www.memphisjapanfestival.org.
TEXAS
AnimeFest
Dallas
August 17-20
Enjoy cosplay contests, plushie-making workshops, and gaming of all sorts at this festival honoring Japanese comics and animation. AnimeFest also hosts an art show, as well as a charity auction and blood drive, and evenings regularly end with a DJ’d dance party. Dressing up as your favorite character? Be sure to register all enchanted crossbows and wizarding staffs with festival personnel upon arrival. Details are at https://animefest.org.
WASHINGTON, DC
Otakon
Washington, DC
August 10-12
This annual celebration of Asian pop culture is a must-see for lovers of Dragonball and other Japanese anime, manga, music, movies, and video games. Highlights include cosplay, gaming and live action role playing. Costume enthusiasts should be sure to participate in the Lolita Fashion Show and Otakon 2018 Masquerade competition. Full details are at www.otakon.com.
WASHINGTON
Japan Fair
Bellevue, WA
July 7-8
This festival's mission is to introduce traditional Japanese arts and culture to a broad audience. Japan Fair offers a wide variety of performances and crafts, ranging from meticulous paper cuttings to huggable sushi. On the evening of the 7th, guests can purchase tickets for the Friends of Japan Gala, which benefits the Japan Fair and includes an auction and live entertainment. Visit http://www.japanfairus.org/ for details.
Festival Directory (in chronological order)
Denver Cherry Blossom Festival
Denver, CO
June 23-24
cherryblossomdenver.org
San Mateo Buddhist Temple Bazaar
San Mateo, CA
June 23-24
http://sanmateobuddhisttemple.org/
Sake Fest PDX
Portland, OR
June 27
http://sakefestpdx.com/
Japan Fair
Bellevue, WA
July 7-8
http://www.japanfairus.org/
JapanFes - Asia Bites Times Square
New York, NY
July 15
http://japanfes.com/
Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film
New York, NY
July 19-29
http://www.japansociety.org/page/programs/film/japan-cuts-2018
MechaCon
New Orleans, LA
July 27-29
http://www.mechacon.com/
North Carolina Japan Summer Festival
Raleigh, NC
August 4
https://www.ncjapanfest.org/
Nihonmachi Street Fair
San Francisco, CA
August 4-5
http://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/
Otakon
Washington, D.C.
August 10-12
https://www.otakon.com/
Ginza Holiday
Chicago, IL
August 10-12
https://ginzaholiday.com/
Nisei Week
Los Angeles, CA
August 11-19
http://www.niseiweek.org/
Liberty City Anime
New York, NY
August 17-19
http://www.libertycityanimecon.com/
AnimeFest
Dallas, TX
August 17-20
https://animefest.org
JapanFes Summer
New York, NY
August 26
http://japanfes.com/
Okinawan Festival
Honolulu, HI
September 1-2
http://www.okinawanfestival.com/
JapanFes - Ramen contest
New York, NY
September 8-9
http://japanfes.com/
JapanFest Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
September 15-16
https://www.japanfest.org/
New Mexico Aki Matsuri Festival
Albuquerque, NM
September 23
http://www.nmjacl.org/
Memphis Japan Festival
Memphis, TN
September 30
https://www.memphisjapanfestival.org
This is a representative sample of upcoming festivals.
Don’t see your favorite program on the list? Tell us about it here.
Arts Japan 2020 is a program of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) and is proposed by the Arts Dialogue Committee of the U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON). Learn more about us and the events we feature at artsjapan.us.