2025: Ginza Holiday Festival (Japanese Cultural Festival: Japanese Food, Minyo Dancers, Martial Arts, Crafts..) 3 DaysNEW

Join us as we celebrate the 70th Annual Ginza Holiday Festival in Old Town Chicago. Hosted by the Midwest Buddhist Temple, this beloved summer event features traditional Japanese food, artisan crafts from Japan (Waza), taiko drumming, martial arts, Minyo dancing, and educational tours of the temple’s chapel. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, all are welcome.

Date and Time
• Friday, August 8, 2025: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• Saturday, August 9, 2025: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Sunday, August 10, 2025: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Admission
• $5 donation per guest
• Children under 12: Free (must be accompanied by an adult)
• Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult

Event Schedule

Friday, August 8, 2025
• 6:00 pm - MBT Minyo Group
• 6:30 pm - Chicago Aikikai
• 7:00 pm - MBT Taiko Group

Saturday, August 9, 2025
• 12:30 pm - Ho Etsu Taiko
• 1:00 pm - Choyokan Kendo
• 1:30 pm - MBT Minyo
• 2:00 pm - Chapel Open (intermission)
• 3:00 pm - MBT Taiko
• 3:30 pm - Chicago Aikikai
• 4:00 pm - Chapel Open (intermission)
• 5:00 pm - Mikoren Awa Odori
• 5:30 pm - MBT and Ho Etsu Taiko

Sunday, August 10, 2025
• 12:00 pm - Ho Etsu Taiko
• 12:30 pm - Choyokan Kendo
• 1:00 pm - MBT Minyo
• 1:30 pm - Chapel Open (intermission)
• 2:30 pm - Raffle Drawing
• 2:45 pm - Chicago Koto Group
• 3:15 pm - MBT Taiko and Ho Etsu Taiko

Food and Drinks
• Chicken Teriyaki Dinner - $20
• Vegetarian Plate (Teriyaki Vegi Burger) - $15
• Udon Noodles (cold) - $10
• Edamame - $5
• Corn on the Cob - $5
• Kintoki (Azuki Beans over Ice) - $7
• Hawaiian Shave Ice - $7
• Ramune (Japanese Soda) - $5
• Cold Drinks (Soda, Tea, Water) - $2
• Popcorn - $4
• Chips & Snacks - varies
• Japanese Beer (21+ with ID) - $10
• Sake (21+ with ID) - $7
• Plum Wine (21+ with ID) - $7
Cultural Highlights

Waza Artisans from Japan
• Eiji Kinoshita - Earthenware
• Masahiro Kawakami - Tenugui Towel Art
• Yuzo Mori - Bamboo Craft
• Hiroko Shima - Handmade Candle Art

Temple Features
• MBT Chapel Tours
• Brief Talks on Shin Buddhism

Vendors and Local Artisans
• Furry Feline Creatives - Humorous toys, totes, novelties
• Ariyama Studio - Japanese-themed screen prints and shirts
• Tangerine Mountain - Vintage Kimono, Haori, Fabric
• Sansei Artisans - Sumi-e and watercolor paintings
• Sumofish - Japanese and Hawaiian-themed t-shirts and decals
• Flying Plumtree Studio - Japanese-style ceramics and Ojizo statues
• Kimono Japon Sac - Handbags from vintage kimono fabric
• Shinsen - Japanese calligraphy
• Chicago Japanese Club - Traditional games like Kingyo Sukui
• Kiki’s T House - Japanese tea and crafts
• W by L - Crochet flowers

Information Booths
• Japanese American Citizens League - jaclchicago.org
• Japanese American Service Committee - jasc-chicago.org

Midwest Festival, Bon Odori & Practices

Festival Location
Midwest Buddhist Temple Parking Lot, 435 W. Menomonee Street, Chicago, IL 60614

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

#GinzaHoliday #ChicagoGinzaFest #MBTGinza #JapaneseCulture