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.
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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.
| Fri., Sept. 11 | 5 p.m.-10 p.m. | $10/adult | $4/child ages 3-12 |
| Sat., Sept. 12 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | $15/adult | $4/child ages 3-12 |
| Sun., Sept. 13 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | $10/adult | $4/child ages 3-12; $5/person in cosplay dress |
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.
BECOME A MEMBERLocation
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.
Seiran Chiba is bringing her world-renowned, large-scale calligraphy back to the festival this year from her home in Fukushima, Japan, where her modern approach is inspired by hope and peace.
New to the festival this year, MAOSHO is a groundbreaking cross-cultural project formed by Sho Asano, a young virtuoso of the traditional Japanese Tsugaru Shamisen, and Mao Sone, an internationally acclaimed jazz pianist and trumpeter. Positioned at the vibrant intersection of jazz, Japanese traditional music, and world rhythms, the duo crafts a completely unique sonic identity by fusing ancestral folk melodies with contemporary, cutting-edge improvisation.
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.
Uzumaru is a Yosakoi dance team from San Jose’s Japantown. Yosakoi is a traditional Japanese dance that originated from Kochi prefecture..
This year’s festival will showcase two groups – one returning and one new – that practice the ancient style of Japanese drumming.
St. Louis Osuwa Taiko
St. Louis Osuwa Taiko is a community-driven ensemble that celebrates the Japanese art of taiko through education and performance.
Miyuki, known as Candy 5, was the world’s first female Japanese candy artist. Her Amezaiku candy-making shows, a 300-year-old art form, are both entertaining and edible.
The fourth-generation owner of Kadoya, his family’s sweet shop in Koriyama City, Noriyuki continues its tradition of
award-winning wagashi—beautiful handmade confections crafted from sweet bean paste.
This native Ozarker is a prolific musician who has written more than 300 original songs inspired by his life experiences, love for nature, and passion for storytelling. He was selected to travel with Springfield’s 2023 citizen delegation to perform at Isesaki’s annual festival.
This local cosplay, or costume role play) group performs popular dance cover routines, from Japanese favorites such as the “Love Live!” series. Based in Springfield, they take their energetic J-pop routines and passion for cosplay to events across the Midwest.
These energetic dance duos bring J-pop and covers to life with their animated performances and cosplay costumes. Enjoy Springfield’s own representation of popular Japanese dance trends.
This group is home for southwest Missouri’s community of people who love costumed role play, or cosplay, an art that originated in Japan. With players of all ages and skill levels, they introduce the community to their passion during the festival with performances and Sunday’s costume day where cosplayers will have $4 admission.
Full Performance Schedule
Friday, September 11 | 5-10 p.m.
5:20 p.m. Welcoming Remarks
5:30 p.m. Kizuna, traditional dance demonstrations
6 p.m. Opening Ceremony | Welcome to SPS Ambassadors
6:30 p.m. St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
6:45 p.m. Seiran Chiba, large-scale calligrapher
7:05 p.m. Yasu Ishida, magic storyteller
7:25 p.m. UZUMARU, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
8 p.m. St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
8:20 p.m. Friday’s Closing Remarks
Saturday, September 12 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
11:20 a.m. Welcoming Remarks
11:30 a.m. KiRa-KiRa Springfield, costume role-play dancers
11:55 a.m. Seiran Chiba, large-scale calligrapher
12:15 p.m. Yasu Ishida, magic storyteller
12:35 p.m. Tracy’s Kenpo Karate, martial arts demonstrators
1:15 p.m. St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
2:05 p.m. MAOSHO, duet of Tsugaru Shamisen and Piano/Trumpet
2:40 p.m. UZUMARU, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
3:15 p.m. Yasu Ishida, magic storyteller
3:40 p.m. Seiran Chiba, large-scale calligrapher
4:05 p.m. Kizuna, traditional dance demonstrations
4:50 p.m. MAOSHO, duet of Tsugaru Shamisen and Piano/Trumpet
5:25 p.m. UZUMARU, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
6:30 p.m. St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
7:05 p.m. MoonMagic Dance, costume role-play dancers
7:25 p.m. Pearlescence Idols, costume role-play dancers
7:55 p.m. Springfield Cosplay, costume role-play organization
8:20 p.m. Remarks of the Day
8:30 p.m. UZUMARU, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
Sunday, September 13 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
11:20 a.m. Welcoming Remarks
11:30 a.m. Dallas Jones, 2023 traveling musician to Isesaki
12:15 p.m. Seiran Chiba, large-scale calligrapher
12:45 p.m. UZUMARU, ensemble Yosakoi dancers
1:35 p.m. MAOSHO, duet of Tsugaru Shamisen and Piano/Trumpet
2:10 p.m. St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers
2:45 p.m. Yasu Ishida, magic storyteller
3:10 p.m. Springfield Cosplay, community cosplay showcase
4:05 p.m. Kizuna, traditional dance demonstrations
4:50 p.m. Closing Remarks
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 and Demonstrations
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.
NEW! – Bonsai Demonstration:
St. Louis bonsai artist Chris Jersan will demonstrate techniques that have earned him multiple entries at the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition where he was awarded the Finest Evergreen Bonsai in 2025. His practice includes native Missouri trees, which he believes are overlooked in the U.S. bonsai community.
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
Free (See workshop schedule for hands-on bonsai training)
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 1 p.m.; and 1:30 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
Workshop registration does not include the price of festival admission. Each workshop is limited to a certain number of participants, so advance registration is recommended, but in-person registration also is available at the Workshop Area within the Festival grounds.
A shuttle will run between the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden parking lot and the Botanical Center before each indoor workshop. Arrive at the Tram Stop 1 at least 15 minutes before the workshop start time.
WORKSHOP REGISTRATIONVolunteer
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).
VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPVendors
Visit the great lineup of Food and Retail Vendors for 2026!
| Food Trucks and Booths | Retail Booths | Information Booths |
|---|---|---|
| AnPan Delights | ALL Anime | Dynamic Edge Martial Arts |
| Baker's Delight | Amy Pyle Jewelry | Fanatics and the Fan |
| Bake Sale Cookies | Asian Artique | Kumon Math and Reading |
| The Hibachi Experience | Barefoot Bonsai | Springfield Cosplay |
| Heart of the Ozarks Sertoma | Ozarks Bonsai Society | Thrive Martial Arts |
| Jade Dragon Bubble Tea | Brielli Craftworks | |
| KBQ Korean BBQ Bowls | Corvus Moon Studio | |
| Koji Kitchen | The Cutie Shop | |
| Lae's Authentic Egg Rolls | ||
| Misa Sweets | DschiniBean | |
| Omo Japanese Soul Food | Equilibrium Ceramics | |
| Pha's Bakery | Furry Feline Creatives | |
| Pucker Up | Grow for Good 417 | |
| Springfield-Greene County Park Concessions | Hara Healing | |
| Tiny Greens To Go | JPN Toys | |
| Travelin Tom's | Julie's Face and Body Art | |
| Wink Waffle | Kaleidoscope | |
| Mochi & Co. | ||
| My Squish Studio | ||
| ObaGami Origami House | ||
| Origami Owl | ||
| The Plant Room | ||
| Satori Stone | ||
| Tran Handcrafted | ||
| Whalesquids |
For more information
Join our Facebook event for updates and to help spread the word.
FACEBOOK EVENTSponsorships
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!
| 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 |
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.