2023 Greater Kansas City Japan Festival (Performances, Taiko, Bazaar, Children Activities, Workshops, Martial Arts..)NEW

The Japan Festival is a one-day event held annually at Johnson County Community College. We’re dedicated to educating and entertaining the Greater Kansas City Metro Area through an introduction to Japanese culture.

The Japan Festival is presented by the Heart of America Japan-America Society. Since 1962, the Heart of America Japan-America Society (HAJAS) has made it our mission, “To further the understanding between the peoples of Japan and the Greater Kansas City area by promoting social, cultural and educational exchanges.”

The Festival showcases the traditional culture, pop culture, food and art of Japan, along with the vision, technology, and hopes for the future shared by the people of Japan and the people of the Kansas City area. It features Japanese musical performances, traditional Japanese foods, a Japanese candy artist, Japanese snacks and sweets, a Bazaar shopping extravaganza, exhibits Japanese cultural village for kids, martial arts, anime & manga, workshops, demonstrations, cultural presentations, and more!

Festival Date
October 7, 2023

Event Time
10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Traditional Japanese Musical Performances
Kabuki Presentations, Denver Taiko, Koto, Shakuhachi, Shamisen, Japanese Pop Star Aya Uchida, Three Trails Taiko, K-State Yosakoi Dance Club

Japanese Candy Artist
Miyuki Sugimori

Bazaar Shopping Extravaganza
Unique Japanese craft Items, kimono, dolls, tea, and sake sets, and much more

Haiku Contest
Enter our haiku contest. Prizes to the winners. Workshops to learn about haiku and to write your own haiku

Exhibits
Samurai armor, kimonos, Japanese dolls, ikebana and bonsai


Traditional Japanese Food, Snacks And Sweets

Japanese Cultural Village
Fun activities for children, pictures in kimono & samurai armor, craft shop, origami kits, Kamishibai (Japanese Paper Theatre) and much more

Workshops And Demonstrations - Cultural Presentations
Many workshops, presentations and demonstrations about the Japanese culture

Martial Arts
Demonstrations and workshops

Anime And Manga
Vendors, cosplay contest with cash prizes

Volunteers
Want to volunteer at the GKCJF? Sign up here.