2025 Anderson Japanese Summer Festival: A Celebration of Traditional Japanese Arts at Anderson Gardens (Features Exhibits, Performances..) 2 DaysNEW

Japanese Summer Festival 2025 - A Celebration of Traditional Cultural Arts.
Experience two full days of Japanese cultural arts, performances, demonstrations, and interactive activities at the annual Japanese Summer Festival. From taiko drumming and traditional dance to tea ceremonies and hands-on crafts, this family-friendly event fosters appreciation of Japanese heritage across generations.

Date & Time
Saturday, July 26 - 27, 2025

Festival Hours
10:00 am - 4:00 pm (both days)

Location
Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, IL
Free on-site shuttle from the College of Medicine (parking lots fill early)

Admission
• Free for Premium Garden Members
• Basic/Non-Members: Adults $15 • Seniors $14 • Students & Military $13 • Children 5 & under FREE

Festival Schedule by Category

Main Performances (Locations A-C, Behind Visitor Center)
Saturday, July 26:
• 10:00 am - Ho Etsu Taiko (A)
• 10:30 am - Awa Odori (A)
• 11:00 am - Candy Man (B)
• 11:30 am - Iaido Sword Demo (B)
• 12:00 pm - Big Brush Calligraphy (Hekuin Oda) (B)
• 12:30 pm - Ho Etsu Taiko (A)
• 1:00 pm - Aikido Demo (C)
• 1:30 pm - Candy Man (B)
• 2:00 pm - Awa Odori (A)
• 2:30 pm - Candy Man (B)
• 3:00 pm - Ho Etsu Taiko (A)

Sunday, July 27:
• 10:00 am - Ho Etsu Taiko (A)
• 10:30 am - Candy Man (B)
• 11:00 am - Chicago Koto Players (B)
• 11:30 am - Kyudo Archery (TBD)
• 12:00 pm - Big Brush Calligraphy (Patricia Larkin Green) (B)
• 12:30 pm - Spirit Bomb (A)
• 1:00 pm - Ho Etsu Taiko (A)
• 1:30 pm - Candy Man (B)
• 2:00 pm - Chicago Koto Players (B)
• 2:30 pm - Kyudo Archery (TBD)
• 3:00 pm - Candy Man (B)
• 3:30 pm - Spirit Bomb (A)
• 4:00 pm - Ho Etsu Taiko (A)

Tea Ceremony Schedule (Advanced Registration Required)
Locations: Guest House, Tea Hut, Gazebo
Prices:
• Regular: $35 (Members), $40 (Non-Members)
• Special with Professor Gunji: $40 (Members), $45 (Non-Members)

Saturday, July 26:
• Guest House: 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm
• Special Guest House (Gunji): 2:30 pm
• Tea Hut: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm
• Gazebo: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm

Sunday, July 27:
• Guest House: 11:30 am, 2:30 pm
• Special Guest House (Gunji): 1:30 pm
• Tea Hut: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm
• Gazebo: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm

Activity Stations (Locations 1-7)

Saturday, July 26:
• 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - Ikebana (5), Taiko Club (Conversation Garden), Zen Garden Raking (7)
• 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Anime Drawing (4)
• 10:30 am - 12:30 pm - Japanese Paper Making (1)
• 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Origami (4)
• 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Paper Cutting (1)
• 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Name Writing (4)
Sunday, July 27:

• Same as Saturday, with identical time blocks

Vendors (All Day)
• Tangerine Mountain Imports - Vintage kimonos (Location 2)
• Fast Food Anime - Anime goods (Location 2)
• Satomi’s Atelier - Peaceful nostalgic paintings (Location 5)
• Bonsai & Brew Studio - Live bonsai and art workshops (Location 5, Saturday only)

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