The Japanese Fall Festival is a celebration of authentic Japanese culture highlighting Springfield’s 36-year-old sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan. In typical years, Springfield and Isesaki exchange performers to entertain and share culture at each other’s festivals. These exchanges were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. We are so excited to resume the exchange this year!

Springfield Sister Cities Association donates half of the Japanese Fall Festival’s admission proceeds to the maintenance and development of the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, sponsored by Simmons Bank. The remaining proceeds benefit cultural programs which further Springfield Sister Cities Association’s mission of “Peace through People.”

For more information regarding the Japanese Fall Festival or Springfield Sister Cities Association, please contact us.

Hours and Admission
Fri: Sept 9, 2022: 5 pm-10 pm $8/adult $3/child ages 3-12
Sat: Sept 10, 2022:  11 am-10 pm $12/adult $3/child ages 3-12
Sun: Sept 11, 2022: 11 am-6 pm $8/adult $3/child ages 3-12 or person in cosplay

Members Get in Free
Members of Springfield Sister Cities Association receive free entry all weekend. An annual membership ranges in price from $5 for a student to $50 for a family; join and view additional membership benefits at peacethroughpeople.org/membership.

See Festival Map, Schedule, Performers of Festival (7 Pages)

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Friday - September 10, 2022 - 5:00 pm-10:00 pm
Stage Performances

5:15 pm Kizuna, traditional dancers
5:50 pm Uzumaru, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
6:10 pm Opening Ceremony
6:25 pm St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
6:40 pm Yasu Ishida, magic storyteller
6:55 pm Uzumaru, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
7:20 pm St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers

Activities
Dusk Candlelight Walk

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Saturday, September 11, 2022 - 11:00 am-10:00 pm
Stage Performances

11:50 am KiRa-KiRa Springfield, costume role play dancers
12:15 pm Tracy’s Kenpo Karate, martial artists
1:05 pm The Shandies, local musicians, performed in Isesaki in 2019
1:40 pm Yasu Ishida, magic storyteller
2:15 pm Uzumaru, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
2:45 pm St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
3:20 pm Kizuna, traditional dancers
3:55 pm Lancaster Station, local musicians, performing in Isesaki in 2022
5 pm Break
6:05 pm Yasu Ishida, magic storyteller
6:40 pm Uzumaru, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
7:10 pm St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
9 pm Miku Concert, hologram projected performance presented by Springfield Cosplay

Activities
2 pm Martial Arts Workshop, $5 suggested donation
(pre-registration required, online or at souvenir tent)
5:30 pm Bonsai Workshop, $60/Individual, $70/Couple
(pre-registration required, online or at souvenir tent)
Dusk Candlelight Walk

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Sunday, September 12,2022 - 11:00 am-6:00 pm
Stage Performances

11:30 am Tracy’s Kenpo Karate, martial artists
12:20pm Springfield Cosplay, costume role players
12:55pm Uke 66, local musicians, performed in Isesaki in 2017
1:35 pm Yasu Ishida, magic storyteller
2:10 pm Uzumaru, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
2:40pm St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
3:30 pm KiRa-KiRa Springfield, costume role play dancers
4:05 pm Kizuna, traditional dancers
4:40 pm Springfield Cosplay, costume role players

Activities
2 pm Martial Arts Workshop, $5 suggested donation
(pre-registration required, online or at souvenir tent)
Face Coverings Recommended at Interaction Points

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Activities
In addition to numerous vendor and artisan booths featuring wares authentic to Japanese culture, guests will enjoy the Nihon bunka taiken tent (Japanese culture experience tent), the omiyage and dagashi tent (souvenirs and snacks tent), and concessions.

More activities to be announced.

Workshops
To be announced.

Cosplay
Cosplay Day is Sunday, September 11; come to the festival in your cosplay (costume role play) to receive $3 admission!

Cosplay activities in partnership with Springfield Cosplay to be announced.

Candlelight Walk
Beginning at dusk on Friday and Saturday, September 9 and 10, hundreds of torches light the garden pathways and soft Japanese music fills the air to create a romantic strolling atmosphere. Purchase a wishing lantern and set your dreams afloat on one of the koi ponds.

Volunteer
Hundreds of volunteers are needed to work the Japanese Fall Festival; volunteers receive free entry to the festival on the day of their shift.

Sign up form to be posted here when available.

Vend
New vendor applications are welcome; proposed booths must be authentic to Japanese culture for consideration.

Application to be posted here when available.