2023 - The 6th Annual Matsuri Festival - Japan House & the Arboretum (Japanese Food, Tea Ceremony, Taiko, Martial Arts, Crafts, Activities..)NEW

Admission to the Matsuri Festival and all performances are FREE, and paid food and activities are budget-friendly. All events and activities will take place outside in the Arboretum rain or shine.

Japan House will celebrate the end of the spring semester and 25 years in the Arboretum at the University of Illinois with a celebratory day of performances, food and artistry followed by fireworks.

Matsuri, the Japanese word for festival, will be held Saturday, May 6 from 12pm to 9pm in the Arboretum just south of Japan House, a new location for the event. The schedule includes a variety of free performances, including Ho Etsu Taiko drum group, DJ Van Paugam, martial arts demonstrations, hula, and more.

During the family-focused portion from 12pm-6pm, there will be something for everyone to do. Younger guests can enjoy the amazing artistry of Joyful Bubbles, try their hand at origami (paper folding),or be mesmerized by “The Candyman”, a Japanese street performer whose specialty is the ancient Japanese art of amezaiku, a method of sculpting hot taffy-like candy into fantastic shapes of animals and other creatures. Over a dozen artists and artisans will be located in a large Retail Tent featuring handmade crafts and goods with demonstrations and performances scattered throughout. A variety of restaurants will be lined up offering delicious Asian-inspired food and beverages for all.

Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremonies will be offered by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Urbana-Champaign Association inside, and outside near Japan House hourly. Tickets ($15) are required to attend. Guests receive a bowl of matcha and wagashi (Japanese Sweet).

In the interactive Activities Tent, ticket holders get to experience 3 traditional Japanese arts hourly: ikebana (flower arranging), yukata (informal summer kimono) dressing, and a chance to create a one-of-a-kind art piece with Japanese artist Zenkyu Niwa or Japanese calligraphy artist Seiran Chiba. Tickets ($30) are required to enter.

Visiting artist Zenkyu Niwa has been a longtime supporter of Japan House and has created this year’s Matsuri mascot, an adorable maneki-neko (beckoning cat) traditionally seated, holding a koban (oval gold coin), with one paw raised in a beckoning gesture. Festival t-shirts and other items featuring Zenkyu’s artwork will be available for sale during the day.

A Libations Tent featuring a limited-edition Japan House beer and sake seltzer from Triptych Brewing will be alongside Michael’s Catering serving Japanese Street Food until 8pm. Returning for their third time, the crowd favorite, international Japanese all-female band, the 5. 6. 7. 8’s will end the day rocking out from 7pm until the fireworks start at approximately 9pm.

All food and retail vendors will be independently taking credit card/cash. The tea ceremonies and activity tent require pre-paid tickets from EventBrite to participate.

Festival Event Date
May 6, 2023 - Saturday

Festival Event Time
12:00 - 9:00 pm


Event Schedule

Food & Drink Vendors




Event Location
Japan House, 2000 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61802

Event Title
Annual Matsuri Festival - Japan House & the Arboretum (Japanese Food, Tea Ceremony, Taiko, Martial Arts, Crafts, Activities..)