Japanese Fall Festival

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.

2026 Japanese Fall Festival – September 11-13

Springfield Sister Cities Association, in partnership with the Springfield- Greene County Park Board, proudly presents the 30th Japanese Fall Festival at the beautiful Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Springfield, Mo.

The 2026 headliner is Uzumaru, winners of the 2025 North American International Yosakoi Festival held in Canada.

Hours and Admission

Tickets available at the gate only; cash or card accepted.

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.

Location

Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden
Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo.

Parking

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.

Traffic Notes:

No Left Turns

To minimize traffic congestion during the festival, left turns will not be allowed to enter or exit Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. To enter the park, vehicles must arrive northbound on Scenic Avenue, from Battlefield Road and make a right turn into the park. To exit the park, vehicles may only turn right onto Scenic Avenue, northbound to Sunshine Street. Please plan your trip accordingly, and thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

More Performers

Yasu Ishida, a magician and storyteller originally from Ube, Japan, will return as the festival’s main emcee. He combines traditional Japanese theatre, music, origami, magic and storytelling to bring the enchanting land of Japan to his audiences.

yasutheatre.com

Kizuna Japan America Friendship Group

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.

Full Performance Schedule to be announced

Friday, September 11 | 5-10 p.m.
Stage Performances: TBA

Saturday, September 12 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Stage Performances: TBA

Sunday, September 13 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Stage Performances: TBA

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!

Delegate and host list to be announced.

Interested in hosting? Click here to learn more!

Activities

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.

Friday, Sept. 11 Activities:

All Day           Story Walk: Sadako’s Cranes
Dusk              Candlelight Walk and Wishing Lanterns

Saturday, Sept. 12 Activities:
TBA

Sunday, Sept. 13 Activities:
TBA

Traditional Tea Ceremonies

Tea Ceremonies hosted by Hiromi Elliston will return to this year’s festival!

Registration must be done at the festival gate on the day of the ceremony. The cost is $20 per person and each ceremony is limited to six people.

Saturday: 12:30 and 2 p.m. (Each ceremony lasts about an hour.)
Sunday: 12:30 and 2 p.m. (Each ceremony lasts about an hour.)

Tea Cafe

Purchase a hot or cold serving of the same matcha tea that is served in traditional tea ceremonies. Brought to you by Kizuna Japan America Friendship Club.

The Tea Cafe will be open from noon-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Yukata Try-On

Choose from a variety of cotton kimonos to try on with assistance. Led by Mika Logan of Kizuna Japan America Friendship Club.

Open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and 1 to 3 p.m.

Cost is $5 per try on; cash or card accepted.

Cosplay

Cosplay Day is Sunday, September 13; 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, Sept. 11 and 12, 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.

2026 Workshop Schedule to be announced

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).

Vendors

Visit the great lineup of Food and Retail Vendors for 2026!

For more information

Join our Facebook event for updates and to help spread the word.

Sponsorships

Many thanks to this year’s sponsors! The 2026 Presenting Sponsor is:

Current Sponsors include:

Help bring this cultural event to the community and take advantage of its high visibility!

About

The Japanese Fall Festival is a celebration of authentic Japanese culture highlighting Springfield’s 40-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 contributes 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.”

The festival is produced in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

For more information regarding the Japanese Fall Festival or Springfield Sister Cities Association, please contact us.