2017 - 62nd Annual Ginza Holiday Festival (Japanese Cultural Festival - Japanese Food, Martial Arts, Unique Crafts..)

The 62nd Annual Ginza Holiday Festival, a large Japanese cultural festival, will be presented by the Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT) on Aug. 11, 12 and 13 at 435 W. Menomonee Street in Chicago's historic Old Town.

Flown in from Tokyo for this event, four master craftspersons (Waza) will demonstrate their generations-old skills creating unique crafts. The public will have the opportunity to meet the Waza and purchase their crafts. Several other exhibits and booths will be filled with textiles and other products from Japan, snacks, t-shirts, kimonos, artwork and jewelry.

An abundance of traditional Japanese cuisine will be offered, including the famous grilled Chicken Teriyaki dinner, udon (Japanese cold noodles), sushi, Spam musubi, edamame, grilled Mirai Corn on the Cob and Hawaiian shave ice.  For dessert, try the kintoki (Japanese snow cone topped with sweet azuki beans).  Japanese beer will also be available.

Featured at the festival will be ongoing stage performances with the energetic taiko drumming byHo Etsu Taiko and MBT Taiko; the MBT Minyo Group and The Na Kupuna Ukulele group.  Aikido and Judo schools will demonstrate self-defense tactics, while Kendo (Japanese fencing) will entertain the crowd. Inside the temple, there will be exhibits of bonsai and ikebana (flower arranging).

The chapel will be open for visitors who are interested in observing the place of worship and learning the basics of Buddhism. During stage intermissions, Rev. Ron Miyamura will deliver short Dharma talks.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Ho Etsu Taiko and the 40th anniversary of MBT Taiko so a special performance with both groups is scheduled for Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m.

A benefit donation of $5.  Children under 12 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

For more information, please visit us online at http://www.ginzaholiday.com or contactThe Midwest Buddhist Temple at 312-943-7801 or Joy Zavala, Ginza Publicity Chairperson, at info@ginzaholiday.com.