About the Festival

The Japan Festival is a one-day event held annually at Johnson County Community College. We’re dedicated to educating and entertaining the Greater Kansas City Metro Area through an introduction to Japanese culture.

The Japan Festival is presented by the Heart of America Japan-America Society. Since 1962, the Heart of America Japan-America Society (HAJAS) has made it our mission, “To further the understanding between the peoples of Japan and the Greater Kansas City area by promoting social, cultural and educational exchanges.”

The Festival showcases the traditional culture, pop culture, food and art of Japan, along with the vision, technology, and hopes for the future shared by the people of Japan and the people of the Kansas City area. It features Japanese musical performances, traditional Japanese foods, a Japanese candy artist, Japanese snacks and sweets, a Bazaar shopping extravaganza, exhibits Japanese cultural village for kids, martial arts, anime & manga, workshops, demonstrations, cultural presentations, and more!

2024 Festival

Saturday, October 5th, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 

  • Adults: $25
  • Students: $20 with proper ID
  • Children 6 to 13: $15
  • Children 5 and under: Free!

SPECIAL YOKAI THEMED ACTIVITIES

This year's festival features special Yōkai-themed content, including a Fox-Woman dance by Nihon-buyō Master Asuka Iijima, Yōkai candy art by Miyuki, a lecture series exploring Yōkai throughout art and culture, Yōkai origami and mask workshops, a Yōkai hunt, and the festival will end with a fantastical Yōkai parade!

CULTURAL WORKSHOPS

Learn origami, taiko drumming, calligraphy, martial arts, Japanese language, and kintsugi (the art of repairing broken pottery) from the experts.

FASCINATING LECTURES

Dive into fascinating topics like the history of Yokai, Godzilla, Candy Art, and more.

COSPLAY CONTEST & PARADE

Participate in a yokai-themed cosplay contest and parade.

EXCITING PERFORMANCES

Enjoy traditional Japanese dancing and singing, comedy storytelling (Rakugo) martial arts demonstrations, and Taiko drumming!

JAPANESE FOOD

Savor delicious offerings from food vendors and the oriental supermarket.

KIDS ACTIVITIES

Fun activities and traditional Japanese games for children, craft shop, origami kits, shopping booths, and more.

EXHIBITS & DISPLAYS

Ikebana, Bonsai, Samurai armor, kimonos, and Japanese dolls.

SEND US A MESSAGE

Have questions about the festival? Unable to find something on the website? Contact us and let us know!

History

The first Greater Kansas City Japan Festival was held on September 13, 1997, on the campus of the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Dr. Andrew Tsubaki was the first chairperson of the Japan Festival Committee. At that time there was a Japanese Consulate in Kansas City that was led by Consul General Tatsuo Tanaka. Consul General Tanaka was the driving force behind starting the first festival.

In 2004 the festival was moved to the Johnson County Community College where it is still held today. The 2024 GKCJF will be the nineteenth festival held on the campus of Johnson County Community College.

CONSUL-GENERAL OF JAPAN IN CHICAGO

Consul General Jun Yanagi is currently the Consul-General of Japan in Chicago. He joined the Chicago Consulate in August of 2023. Prior to joining the Chicago Consulate, he was the Deputy Director, Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office in Tokyo.

Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1988, he has held numerous positions, including: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan,  (MOFA) North East Asia Division; First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Nigeria; South East Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Deputy Director, APEC Division, MOFA; Principal Deputy Director, Analysis Division, IAB, MOFA; Principal Deputy Director, Public Diplomacy Division, MOFA; First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Australia; Counselor, Embassy of Japan in Russia; Counselor, Embassy of Japan in Canada; Director, International Science Cooperation Division, MOFA; Director, Western Europe Division, MOFA; Professor, Tohoku University; Minister, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Vietnam; Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan in Vienna.

Consul General Yanagi has a B.A. from Tokyo University (Faculty of Law) and a BA and MA from Oxford University, Worcester College (Philosophy, Politics and Economics).

HONORARY CONSUL OF JAPAN IN KANSAS CITY

On August 1, 2016, the Government of Japan officially appointed Mr. James Satoshi Kanki as the Honorary Consul of Japan in Kansas City.

Honorary Consuls of Japan represent Japan in various jurisdictions. Their responsibilities include providing consultation and support for Japanese nationals, facilitating close relationships with Japan-related organizations and promoting a better understanding of Japan.

Members of the Heart of America Japan-America Society know that Jim Kanki is extremely deserving of this appointment. As life members, he and his wife Lydia have served in numerous board and committee roles. During the 2016 Shinnenkai celebration, Jim was recognized with a Special Commendation by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sponsors and Contributors

The Greater Kansas City Japan Festival Committee thanks all of our very generous contributors who make our Festival a reality. Without their financial support it would not be possible to hold this event. 

Yokozuna Sumo Grand Master

Molle Auto Group

Festival Host

Johnson County Community College

Ozeki Sumo Grand Master

Consulate General of Japan at Chicago
Japan Foundation-New York
Marshall V. Miller Family Fund
Panasonic Energy

Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts,
Commerce Bank, Trustee

Komusubi Sumo Grand Champion

Asian American Chamber of Commerce

KCTV-5
Benny Lee

TYR Energy

Maegashira Sumo Grand Champion

Bill Bahr

Center for East Asian Studies KU
Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Francis and Charlene Lemery
Gabriel and Natsumi Rebeck

Juryo Sumo Champion

Jane Drury and Russ Amos
Michiko Gross
Jim and Lydia Kanki
Kansas City Japanese School
KC Japan Circle Sakura
Denny and Patti Kurogi
Bob and Kazuyo Rumbach
Mark Saito
Jo and Yoshiko Yamanaka

Makushita Sumo Champion

David Albrecht and Laura O’Brien
Anonymous
Pegeen and John Blank
Ruth Chiga
Yumi Foster
Maki Gonzalez
Chris Haden
Nicholas Hoyt

Carolyn Kadel
Terry Kipper
David and Hiromi Lessmann
John Matthews
Meghan and Ryan May
Mizuki McGregor
Atsuki Mori and David Kreiner
Carole Owsley
Martin and Kyoko Peters
Pradeep and Haruko Shukla
Howard Snyder
Sachie Stroder
Connor and John Tackkett
Roy and Maki True
Doug and Beth Viehland
Masami and Eunice Willis
Patty Woods and Mickey Coalwell
Stephen and Tami Woodsmall

Patron

Suzanne Baker
Hiroko Bray
Jo Anne Gibson-Lucas and Gary Lucas
Maria Gilson
Gary Gorden
Kaoru Harvey
Mary Head and Donald Watkins
Sadako Kimes
Noriko Lowell
Steve Mayer
Catherine Browder Morris
Kenji and Peggy Oba
Mahendra Rupani
Hideko Schackmann
Michael and Leslie Sciolaro
Vivian Swafford
Chris and Mayumi Wagner
Karen Whitlow and John Neal

During the pandemic, we created an all-digital experience for the Festival. To view videos of performances and workshops, visit our 2020 Virtual Festival page.