Japanese Summer Festivals across the United States, July – August 2019
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. 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 U.S., click here.
This summer, you can experience Japanese culture at a number of vibrant festivals across the United States, each with its own flare and focus. Some, including Nisei Week in Los Angeles, are spirited celebrations of Japanese and Japanese-American traditions and history. Others, like Minnesota’s Obon Festival (which takes place at a stunning Japanese garden) and Illinois’ Ginza Holiday (at the Midwest Buddhist Temple), spotlight cherished local institutions.
Some festivals focus on specific art forms: MechaCon in Louisiana is an energetic celebration of Japanese animation, while Japan Cuts in New York highlights the best of contemporary Japanese cinema. There are also boisterous street fairs, like the Nihonmachi Festival in San Francisco and JapanFes in New York City, that overflow with colorful sights, sounds, and spectacle.
This summer’s festivals are listed by state; a chronological directory of the events can be found at the end of this article.
CALIFORNIA
Nisei Week: http://www.niseiweek.org/
Los Angeles
August 10-18
Nisei Week, one of the nation’s longest-running cultural festivals, celebrates Japanese and Japanese-American culture, and commemorates the history of Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo community. This year, enjoy the spectacular grand parade, public street dancing, martial arts exhibitions, the family festival at the Japanese American National Museum, and much more. See http://www.niseiweek.org/ for details.
Nihonmachi Street Fair: https://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/
San Francisco
August 3-4
This exuberant street fair celebrates Asian-Pacific American life - and the culture of San Francisco - through performance, art, music, food, and community outreach. Check out the Asian Artisan and Children’s World sections of the Fair, the Sound of Thunder car show, and music and dance performances on multiple stages. At the Art & Soul of J-Town, see well-known artists create one-of-a-kind pieces on the spot. Then grab a tasty meal at the Food Fest. Learn more at https://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/.
HAWAII
Okinawan Festival: http://www.okinawanfestival.com
Honolulu, HI
August 31-September 1
For 37 years, this festival has offered visitors the chance to immerse themselves in Okinawan aloha. A long list of performers travel from Okinawa each year to thrill the Honolulu crowds, and local arts groups demonstrate dance, taiko drumming, and martial arts. Enjoy Hawaii’s version of Okinawa’s famous Heiwa Doori (marketplace), try delicious Okinawa specialties like andagi and champuru, and visit a cultural village where families can dress in traditional clothing. More information is at http://www.okinawanfestival.com.
ILLINOIS
Ginza Holiday: https://ginzaholiday.com/
Chicago
August 9-11
2019 is the 64th year of Ginza Holiday, the Midwest Buddhist Temple’s beloved Japanese Cultural Festival. Visitors can enjoy delectable food, tour the Buddhist Temple and watch folk dancing, drumming, and martial arts demonstrations. Among the festival’s key highlights are craft demonstrations by the Waza Masters, internationally acclaimed artisans who travel from Japan to the Ginza Holiday. This year’s participants include a master ceramist, a bamboo weaver, and a maker of hand-painted Japanese cotton. Learn more at https://ginzaholiday.com/.
LOUISIANA
MechaCon: http://www.mechacon.com/
New Orleans
July 26-28
The MechaCon anime convention is a grand celebration of Japanese animation, and a weekend-long showcase for extraordinary costumes. Try cosplay chess, join the MechaCon scavenger hunt, visit Club Faster Than Light for music and entertainment or enjoy 24-hour electronic gaming at Sim Deck. You’ll also find an artisans’ marketplace and the family-friendly MechaMaid Clubhouse, which features specialty-themed shows, games, and delicious treats. Check out the festivities at http://www.mechacon.com/.
MINNESOTA
Japanese Obon Festival: http://www.comozooconservatory.org/attractions/gardens/japanesegarden/japanese-obon-festival/#/japanese-obon-festival
St. Paul
August 18
The Obon Festival is a family-friendly event that serves as a living symbol of friendship between Saint Paul and its sister city - Nagasaki, Japan. The festivities - which take place in a lovely Japanese garden - range from taiko drumming, koto and bamboo flutes to traditional and contemporary dance and singing. Highlights also include martial arts, ikebana, and origami demonstrations plus a host of cultural exhibits. The day culminates with the lighting of lanterns, a ceremony which instills a vision of peacefulness and harmony. Details at http://www.comozooconservatory.org/attractions/gardens/japanesegarden/japanese-obon-festival/#/japanese-obon-festival.
NEW YORK
JapanFes Summer Festival: https://www.japanfes.com/event
New York City
July 13-14, August 10-11, August 25
JapanFes’ vibrant street festivals celebrate the sights, sounds, and tastes of Japanese culture. You can follow the crowds to booths, stages, and circles of performers and artisans. You’ll find an array of traditional and contemporary performers – and an open invitation to dance and sing along. Enjoy the taiko drumming, calligraphy, bounteous traditional and creative foods, and traditional dress and costumes. For details, visit https://www.japanfes.com/event
Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film
https://www.japansociety.org/page/programs/film/japan-cuts-2019
New York City
July 19-28
Japan Cuts, now in its 13th year, is the largest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema in North America. The festival offers premieres of 26 features and 16 short films - a riveting selection of the best new films from Japan. See a diverse slate of studio blockbusters, cutting-edge indies, thought-provoking documentaries, rediscovered classics and avant-garde short works. Watch for special guest filmmakers and stars, post-screening Q&As, parties, talks, free events and more. See https://www.japansociety.org/page/programs/film/japan-cuts-2019 for more information.
Liberty City Anime: http://www.libertycityanimecon.com/about
New York City
August 9-11
Fans of anime, manga, graphic novels, cosplay, and Japanese culture can choose from over 100 events at this three-day convention. Attend panels, workshops, and discussions run by fans and industry professionals; or show off your costume and compete for prizes in the cosplay contest (which is judged by top costumers from around the country). Don’t miss the video gaming section, Artists Alley, dealers’ room, autograph areas, and nightly electronic dances. For details, visit http://www.libertycityanimecon.com/about.
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Japan Summer Festival: https://www.ncjapanfest.org/
Raleigh
August 3
Visit Raleigh’s spacious State Fair Exposition Center for the 14th annual Japan Summer Festival. The Festival’s Community Market features Japanese crafts and goods, traditional Japanese art displays, and Japan-related business and cultural groups. Try bon dancing (the traditional Japanese dance that honors ancestors), listen to the Triangle Taiko troupe, and catch demonstrations of karate and jujutsu. Then sample delicious Japanese foods, including matcha and mochi ice cream. Learn more at https://www.ncjapanfest.org/.
TEXAS
Austin Oita Japan Festival: https://www.austinoita.org/2019-oita-japan-festival
Austin
July 13
This family-friendly event celebrates Japanese culture with residents of the Austin area. Oita, Japan is one of Austin’s 13 Sister Cities. Enjoy performances of Shodo Calligraphy, Kendo demonstrations, Taiko drumming, Bon Odori dance, Kanji and Matcha-making workshops, and many more cultural activities. Learn more at https://www.austinoita.org/2019-oita-japan-festival.
AnimeFest: https://animefest.org
Dallas
August 16-19
AnimeFest is a fan-centered celebration of Japanese anime, manga, games, and pop-culture. Creative cosplay activities give attendees an opportunity to show off their latest costumes and perform skits. Industry guests (including producers, directors, voice actors, and artists) host panel discussions and presentations on their work and the anime/manga industry. Four screening rooms show anime 23 hours a day during the entire festival. See https://animefest.org for all the details.
WASHINGTON, DC
Tanabata: Japanese Star Festival: https://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/events/tanabata-japanese-star-festival
Washington, DC
July 27
Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival, celebrates the legend of lovers Orihime (a weaver princess) and Hikoboshi (a herder) who meet once a year during the summer months. Hillwood and the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC invite you to celebrate this festive holiday with a day of activities that include Kamishibai storytelling, music from the Washington Toho Koto Society, guided tours of Hillwood’s Japanese garden, tanzaku, origami, calligraphy, and paper lantern decorating. Learn more at https://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/events/tanabata-japanese-star-festival.
Otakon: https://www.otakon.com/
Washington, DC
July 26-28
Otakon is an annual celebration of Asian pop culture, with a focus on anime, manga, music, movies, and video games. The festival offers concerts with international stars, evening dances, a cosplay masquerade, workshops, and a dedicated manga library and gaming center. New this year is the Otakon Makerspace where attendees can build a unique work of art from abundant materials in the space and create at their own pace in a relaxing, music-filled environment. Information is at https://www.otakon.com/.
Festival Directory
(in chronological order)
Austin Oita Japan Festival
Austin, TX
July 13
https://www.austinoita.org/2019-oita-japan-festival
JapanFes Summer Festival
New York, NY
July 13-14; Aug 10-11; August 25
https://www.japanfes.com/event
Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film
New York, NY
July 19-28
https://www.japansociety.org/page/programs/film/japan-cuts-2019
MechaCon
New Orleans, LA
July 26-28
http://www.mechacon.com/
Otakon
Washington, DC
July 26-28
https://www.otakon.com/
Tanabata: Japanese Star Festival
Washington, DC
July 27
https://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/events/tanabata-japanese-star-festival
North Carolina Japan Summer Festival
Raleigh, NC
August 3
https://www.ncjapanfest.org/
Nihonmachi Street Fair
San Francisco, CA
August 3-4
https://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/
Ginza Holiday
Chicago, IL
August 9-11
https://ginzaholiday.com/
Liberty City Anime
New York, NY
August 9-11
http://www.libertycityanimecon.com/about
Nisei Week
Los Angeles, CA
August 10-18
http://www.niseiweek.org/
AnimeFest
Dallas, TX
August 16-19
https://animefest.org
Japanese Obon Festival
St. Paul, MN
August 18
http://www.comozooconservatory.org/attractions/gardens/japanesegarden/japanese-obon-festival/#/japanese-obon-festival
Okinawan Festival
Honolulu, HI
August 31-September 1
http://www.okinawanfestival.com
This is a representative sample of upcoming programs. 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.