The Festival resumes its Sept 8-9 schedule of performances and activities after Friday night’s opening ceremony festival was cancelled due to severe thunderstorms. The opening ceremony will not be re-scheduled, but school child ambassadors may still use their letter for free admission with an adult on Saturday or Sunday. Ambassador gifts will be distributed at the gate. Bring your letter!

Saturday, September 8

Gates open 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Hiroshi Tada will be performing “top spinning.” Souvenir tent, food service, children’s activity area, vendor booths and artisan tents also available.
12:00 Springfield Aikido
12:45 Kimono Fashion Show
1:15 Kuniko – Japanese stories using a combination of magic and costumes.
2:00 St. Louis Osuwa Taiko (performance followed by children’s workshop)
3:30 Tracy’s Karate Studio
4:30 Zeni Daiko – traditional Japanese festival dance performed by Kizuna
5:30 Springfield’s Quatro Cordo (string quartet)
6:30 St. Louis Osuwa Taiko
7:15 Shi-Shi-Mai – Traditional Japanese lion dance
7:30 Kuniko will tell traditional Japanese stories using a combination of magic and costumes.
Series of short Japanese films in the “movie tent.”
Candlelight walk begins at dusk! Hundreds of torches and candles fill the garden, creating a special evening stroll.

Sunday, September 9

Gates open 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Hiroshi Tada will be performing “top spinning.” Souvenir tent, food service, children’s activity area, vendor booths and artisan tents also available.
12:00 Tracy’s Karate Studio
1:00 Shi-Shi-Mai – traditional Japanese lion dance
1:30 St. Louis Osuwa Taiko
2:30 Kuniko will tell traditional Japanese stories using a combination of magic and costumes.
3:30 Zeni Daiko – traditional Japanese festival dance performed by Kizuna
4:00 Springfield Aikido
Festival ends 6:00 p.m.