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!

2025 Festival

Saturday, October 4th, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale!

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

Special Presale Ticket Discount

Buy your tickets online prior to 9/26/25 and get $10 OFF each ticket! Use the code MASKS2025 at checkout.

2025 MASKS & MYTHS THEME

Discover the symbolism of the iconic masks of Noh and Kabuki theater. Unveil the mystical tales of the kitsune, oni, tengu, samurai, and more. Marvel at hand-crafted masks that once warded off demons or summoned good fortune and see how stylized masks in cosplay serve to blend tradition and modernity in Japan’s pop culture, fashion, and performance arts. 

SPECIAL ADD-ON WORKSHOPS

This year’s festival will include three different special workshop add-ons. Choose from mask making workshops, tea ceremony workshops, and calligraphy workshops!

    COSPLAY CONTEST & PARADE

    Participate in a Masks & Myths themed cosplay contest and parade.

    EXCITING PERFORMANCES

    Enjoy traditional Japanese music, singing and dancing, storytelling, martial arts demonstrations, and Taiko drumming!

    JAPANESE FOOD

    Savor delicious traditional foods, snack and sweets from food vendors and markets.

    KID'S 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.