The Japanese Fall Festival is a celebration of authentic Japanese culture highlighting Springfield’s sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan (formed in 1986). Each year, a delegation of Isesaki citizens travels to Springfield to contribute to the festival through demonstrations and interactions with attendees.
2024 Japanese Fall Festival
Check back later for more information about the 2024 festival scheduled for Fri.-Sun., Sept. 6-8.
2023 Japanese Fall Festival
Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
Springfield Sister Cities Association, in partnership with the Springfield- Greene County Park Board, proudly presents the 27th Japanese Fall Festival at the beautiful Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Springfield, Mo.
Tickets available at the gate only; cash or card accepted.
Fri., Sept. 8
5 p.m.-10 p.m.
$9/adult
$4/child ages 3-12
Sat., Sept. 9
11 a.m.-10 p.m.
$14/adult
$4/child ages 3-12
Sun., Sept. 10
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
$9/adult
$4/child ages 3-12 or person in cosplay
Pets welcome! Standard park rules apply.
MEMBERS GET IN FREE
Members of Springfield Sister Cities Association receive free entry all weekend. An annual membership ranges in price from $10 for a student to $60 for a family. Join/renew and view additional membership benefits at the link below.
Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden
Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo.
Park staff will guide you to a parking space that may or may not be paved. Please alert them of any mobility concerns and they will park you as close to the entrance as possible.
Performers
USA Sumo
Witness the ancient art of sumo up close and personal! Three title-winning sumo wrestlers will battle it out on stage and showcase their strength and agility.
Candy 5 is an amezaiku (candy sculpture) artist. Taught by candy artist Sir Takeo Kimura in 1994, Candy 5 is the first Japanese female candy artist in the 300 years of the history of candy art. From 1996 to 2013, she performed candy art at the Japan Pavilion at Disney World’s Epcot. In 2017, she moved to New York, and today, she performs at events, parties, and Japanese festivals worldwide.
Candy 5’s demonstrations will take place at the Japanese Culture Tent.
Seiran Chiba
Seiran Chiba is a world-renowned large-scale Japanese calligraphy (shodo) artist from Fukushima, Japan. She revolutionized the art of shodo by taking it outside and then by using it as therapy, particularly for survivors of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Her modern approach is inspired by hope and peace.
Uzumaru is a Yosakoi dance team from San Jose’s Japantown. Yosakoi is a traditional Japanese dance style that blends traditional Japanese choreography with modern and folk music. It is performed at festivals and events across Japan, typically by large teams.
Yasu Ishida is a magician and storyteller originally from Ube, Japan. He combines traditional Japanese theatre, music, origami, magic and storytelling to bring the enchanting land of Japan to his audiences. He is also serving as the festival’s main emcee!
Osuwa Taiko was founded in 1986 by Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi of Suwa, Japan, St. Louis’ sister city. They perform Japanese ensemble drumming on large drums (taiko) to promote and preserve the art and foster cultural understanding. Children’s workshop to be announced!
Kizuna is a local group that works to create bonds (Kizuna) between Japanese and American cultures. They’re available to facilitate Japanese culture workshops on a variety of topics throughout the year. You can also find them leading the festival’s tea café, tea ceremonies, and yukata try-on tent.
Tracy's Kenpo Karate
Tracy’s Kenpo Karate is Springfield’s original, authentic, and traditional Japanese martial arts (kenpo) studio. Chief instructor Anthony Verburgt is a ninth-degree black belt and a direct student of Great Grandmaster Al Tracy. All ages are welcome to participate in their workshop on Sat. or Sun. at 2pm. Pre-register at the souvenir market or at the link coming soon.
Springfield Cosplay was formed during the 2015 Japanese Fall Festival and works to connect cosplayers of all ages and skill levels. Costume role play (cosplay) is an art that originated in Japan. Stop by their tent to learn more about their activities throughout the year.
KiRa-KiRa Springfield is a local cosplay (costume role play) group which performs cover dance routines, particularly dance routines from the popular Japanese series, Love Live!
Lancaster Station is a vocal group featuring Ron Marshall, Sheila Davis, and Trish Kaye. They perform complex harmonies covering hits from the 60’s-80’s and some 2000’s. Ron and Sheila served as Springfield’s musical ambassadors in our Japanese sister city, Isesaki, in September 2022.
Performance Schedule
Friday
5:15pm
Kizuna, traditional dance demonstrators
5:40pm
Mikoshi, traditional festival activity
5:45pm
Opening Ceremony | Welcome to SPS Ambassadors
6:05pm
Seiran Chiba, large-scale calligrapher
6:20pm
St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
6:40pm
Uzumaru, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
7:00pm
USA Sumo, sumo wrestlers
8:00pm
St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
Saturday
11:10am
KiRa-KiRa Springfield, costume role play dancers
11:30am
Seiran Chiba, large-scale calligrapher
12:00pm
Yasu Ishida, magic storyteller
12:30pm
Tracy’s Kenpo Karate, martial arts demonstrators
1:30pm
Uzumaru, ensemble yosakoi dancers
2:00pm
USA Sumo, sumo wrestlers
3:00pm
Seiran Chiba, large-scale calligrapher
3:30pm
St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
4:15pm
Kizuna, traditional dance demonstrators
5:00pm
Lancaster Station, local musicians that performed in Isesaki in 2022
5:45pm
Uzumaru, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
6:30pm
USA Sumo, sumo wrestlers
7:30pm
St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
8:45pm
Pre-Show for Hatsune Miku hologram concert
9:00pm
Hatsune Miku hologram concert
Sunday
11:30am
Springfield Cosplay, costume role play demonstrators
12:00pm
Seiran Chiba, large-scale calligrapher
12:30pm
Tracy’s Kenpo Karate, martial arts demonstrators
1:20pm
Uzumaru, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
1:50pm
USA Sumo, sumo wrestlers
2:50pm
St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
3:20pm
The Shandies, local musicians who performed in Isesaki in 2019
3:50pm
Kizuna, traditional dance demonstrators
4:35pm
KiRa-KiRa Springfield, costume role play dancers
5:05pm
Community Cosplay Showcase organized by Springfield Cosplay
Isesaki Delegates
Springfield’s Japanese sister city, Isesaki, sends delegates to participate in the festival each year. Stop by the culture tent to meet them and learn what they have to share about their culture!
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 tents (souvenirs and snacks tents), and concessions.
The festival offers cultural opportunities geared toward children including an activity area featuring traditional Japanese games and crafts led by Japanese language students from Kickapoo High School. These opportunities end by dusk each evening.
Traditional Tea Ceremonies
Saturday or Sunday at 12:30pm or 2pm
Participate in a traditional tea ceremony led by Hiromi Elliston of Kizuna Japan America Friendship Club. The ceremonies take place in the Stroll Garden’s tea house.
Registration is $15 (cash or card) and is only accepted at the front gate on the same day of the workshop. Space is very limited; we recommend that you register early.
Tea Cafe
Saturday and Sunday, Noon-3pm
Purchase a hot or cold serving of the same matcha tea that is served in traditional tea ceremonies.
Workshops
Kintsugi Workshop ($60/piece)
Friday at 4pm; Saturday at 11am, 2pm or 4:30pm; Sunday at 12:30pm or 3pm
2.5 hours
Kintsugi is the ancient Japanese art of mending broken ceramic vessels with gold. Learn the basic processes and spend time reflecting as you mend a hand-crafted tea bowl to take home.
Instructor: Kurt Caddy
Ikebana Workshop ($40/arrangement)
Saturday at 12:30pm
1 hour
Gain basic understanding of the Japanese art of flower arranging. Discover some of the tricks and tools for arranging stems, leaves, and flowers in ways that may seem to defy gravity. Create and keep a fresh flower arrangement of your own design along with all the necessary tools.
Instructor: Katie Keith is the coordinator for the Springfield Botanical Gardens. She has a master’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from the University of Tennessee. 20 years of experience in the public garden field. She has studied floral design with the Springfield Council of Federated Garden Clubs.
Amezaiku Workshop ($30/person)
Saturday or Sunday at 2pm
1 hour
Amezaiku is the ancient Japanese art of candy making. Learn how to mold hot candy into intricate shapes before it hardens from instructor Candy 5.
Taught by candy artist Sir Takeo Kimura in 1994, Candy 5 is the first Japanese female candy artist in the 300 years of the history of candy art. From 1996 to 2013, she performed candy art at the Japan Pavilion at Disney World’s Epcot. In 2017, she moved to New York, and today, she performs at events, parties, and Japanese festivals worldwide.
Baduanjin Workshop ($10/person)
Saturday or Sunday at 2pm
45 minutes
Baduanjin is primarily designated as a form of qigong, meant to improve health. The name generally refers to how the eight individual movements of the form characterize and impart a silken quality (like that of a piece of brocade) to the body and its energy.
The class is presented by Anthony Verburgt, son-in-law of Shan, Chuan Ming, past instructor at the Purple Blossom Park in Beijing, China.
Kokedama Workshop ($40/ball)
Saturday or Sunday at 3pm
1 hour
Kokedama translates to “moss ball” in Japanese. A kokedama is a living plant in its own ball of soil, wrapped in moss and held together with string. A typical house plant can be transformed into a sculptured art form and display piece for your home or office. Kokedama balls can be hung from string or wire, placed on a tray of rocks, or set on a piece of bark or driftwood.
Learn the history of kokedama and get your hands dirty as you craft your own unique 3-4in moss ball to enjoy for years to come!
Instructor Brandon Fear is co-owner of The Plant Room, Springfield’s one-stop house plant shop that also features the work of 40+ local artists.
Bonsai Workshop ($60/tree)
Saturday at 11am or 3pm; Sunday at 12:30pm
1 hour
Learn the Japanese art of training miniature trees from instructor Kurt Dillow of the Ozarks Bonsai Society.
Workshop registration does not include the price of festival admission.
Cosplay Day is Sunday, September 10; come to the festival in your cosplay (costume role play) to receive $4 admission!
Cosplay activities in partnership with Springfield Cosplay to be announced.
Candlelight Walk and Wishing Lanterns
Beginning at dusk on Friday and Saturday, September 8 and 9, 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. We welcome volunteers of all ages, but we ask that volunteers ages 15 and younger be accompanied by an adult (both should occupy only one volunteer slot).
New vendor applications are welcome; proposed booths must be authentic to Japanese culture for consideration. The final deadline to apply is Friday, August 11.
Help bring this cultural event to the community and take advantage of its high visibility! Pledge by Wed., July 26 for guaranteed inclusion in print materials. To pledge or learn more, please visit peacethroughpeople.org/sponsorship.
BRONZE $600
SILVER $1,500
GOLD $3,000
PLATINUM $6,000
PRESENTING $20,000
Name Listing 2 weekend passes
2 food tickets
Small Logo 4 weekend passes
4 food tickets
Medium Logo 8 weekend passes
8 food tickets
Large Logo 10 weekend passes
10 food tickets
Prominent Large Logo 20 weekend passes
20 food tickets
The Japanese Fall Festival is a celebration of authentic Japanese culture highlighting Springfield’s 37-year-old sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan. Each year, Springfield and Isesaki exchange performers to entertain and share culture at each other’s festivals.
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.