Nikkei Matsuri Festival Returns to San Jose Japantown
Nikkei Matsuri Festival Returns to San Jose Japantown
San Jose, CA - The highly anticipated Nikkei Matsuri Festival is back for its 46th year on Sunday, April 21, 2024. This beloved festival celebrates Japanese American culture and traditions, offering a fun-filled day of exhibits, performances, food, shopping, and more. Located in the heart of San Jose's Historic Japantown at 5th and Jackson, the festival will run from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
This year, the Nikkei Matsuri Festival will be introducing an "make and take area" to enhance the experience for Attendees. This new feature will give visitors the opportunity to engage and participate in various aspects of Japanese culture, creating a
more immersive and hands-on experience.
The festival will showcase an array of exhibits highlighting traditional Japanese arts, including the captivating beauty of bonsai, Ikebana (flower arranging), and Japanese classical dance. Attendees can explore these exhibits and gain deeper insights into these time-honored art forms.
With over 90 artisan booths, the shopping area at Nikkei Matsuri will be expanded this year. Local artists, including 22 new artisans from all over the Bay Area, Sacramento, Central Valley, and Los Angeles, will be selling unique and handmade items inspired by their Japanese and Asian Pacific heritage. It's the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind treasures and support local talent.
The main stages will come alive with vibrant live performances by favorites such as the San Jose Taiko and Chidori Band. Additionally, the Boom Box stage will make a return, featuring Japanese American bands like The Sound Project and Bay Breeze, among others. This diverse lineup of performers promises to deliver an Unforgettable musical experience.
Of course, what's a festival without delicious food? Japantown's non-profit organizations will be preparing an array of festival dishes, including Imagawayaki (pancake filled with red bean), veggie curry, Spam musubi, shave ice, gyoza, the crowd-pleasing Nikkei Dogs, and Teppan Tacos will be new this year! Food trucks will also make a return. Don't forget to visit our popular beer and sake booth to complete your culinary journey. Japantown's renowned restaurants such as Aloha Fresh and Hukilau will also be open for business, ensuring there's something for everyone's palate.
"Our dedicated volunteers on the Nikkei Matsuri Festival Committee are the backbone of this event," says Lesly Yamatake, Festival Chairperson. "Their commitment to sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Japanese American community and ensuring the success of the festival is what makes Nikkei Matsuri a truly memorable experience."
Getting to the festival is convenient and hassle-free. The festival is located just a 7-minute walk from the Japantown/Ayer light rail station, where trains run every 30 minutes on Sundays. For those who prefer biking, the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition will provide a secure location to lock bicycles near the festival grounds, allowing Attendees to enjoy the event without any worries.
The historical significance of the Nikkei Matsuri Festival dates back to 1977 when the City of San Jose encouraged ethnic communities to organize festivals to celebrate their cultures as part of San Jose's Bicentennial. Responding to this call, the Japanese American community organized a festival that attracted people from all over the Bay Area. The festival's immense success led to the establishment of the Nikkei Matsuri
Festival in 1978, which has since become a cherished annual tradition in San Jose Japantown. The festival's mission is to perpetuate and showcase Japanese American arts, culture, traditions, and experiences while providing unwavering support to the San Jose Japantown community, fostering inclusivity, and strengthening community bonds.
Don't miss your chance to experience the vibrant cultural celebration that is the Nikkei Matsuri Festival. Mark the date on your calendar for a day of entertainment, cultural immersion, and culinary delights. Join us at the Nikkei Matsuri Festival on Sunday, April 21, 2024, and be a part of this vibrant celebration in the heart of San Jose Japantown.
For more information and updates, visit www.nikkeimatsuri.org.
San Jose, CA - The highly anticipated Nikkei Matsuri Festival is back for its 46th year on Sunday, April 21, 2024. This beloved festival celebrates Japanese American culture and traditions, offering a fun-filled day of exhibits, performances, food, shopping, and more. Located in the heart of San Jose's Historic Japantown at 5th and Jackson, the festival will run from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
This year, the Nikkei Matsuri Festival will be introducing an "make and take area" to enhance the experience for Attendees. This new feature will give visitors the opportunity to engage and participate in various aspects of Japanese culture, creating a
more immersive and hands-on experience.
The festival will showcase an array of exhibits highlighting traditional Japanese arts, including the captivating beauty of bonsai, Ikebana (flower arranging), and Japanese classical dance. Attendees can explore these exhibits and gain deeper insights into these time-honored art forms.
With over 90 artisan booths, the shopping area at Nikkei Matsuri will be expanded this year. Local artists, including 22 new artisans from all over the Bay Area, Sacramento, Central Valley, and Los Angeles, will be selling unique and handmade items inspired by their Japanese and Asian Pacific heritage. It's the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind treasures and support local talent.
The main stages will come alive with vibrant live performances by favorites such as the San Jose Taiko and Chidori Band. Additionally, the Boom Box stage will make a return, featuring Japanese American bands like The Sound Project and Bay Breeze, among others. This diverse lineup of performers promises to deliver an Unforgettable musical experience.
Of course, what's a festival without delicious food? Japantown's non-profit organizations will be preparing an array of festival dishes, including Imagawayaki (pancake filled with red bean), veggie curry, Spam musubi, shave ice, gyoza, the crowd-pleasing Nikkei Dogs, and Teppan Tacos will be new this year! Food trucks will also make a return. Don't forget to visit our popular beer and sake booth to complete your culinary journey. Japantown's renowned restaurants such as Aloha Fresh and Hukilau will also be open for business, ensuring there's something for everyone's palate.
"Our dedicated volunteers on the Nikkei Matsuri Festival Committee are the backbone of this event," says Lesly Yamatake, Festival Chairperson. "Their commitment to sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Japanese American community and ensuring the success of the festival is what makes Nikkei Matsuri a truly memorable experience."
Getting to the festival is convenient and hassle-free. The festival is located just a 7-minute walk from the Japantown/Ayer light rail station, where trains run every 30 minutes on Sundays. For those who prefer biking, the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition will provide a secure location to lock bicycles near the festival grounds, allowing Attendees to enjoy the event without any worries.
The historical significance of the Nikkei Matsuri Festival dates back to 1977 when the City of San Jose encouraged ethnic communities to organize festivals to celebrate their cultures as part of San Jose's Bicentennial. Responding to this call, the Japanese American community organized a festival that attracted people from all over the Bay Area. The festival's immense success led to the establishment of the Nikkei Matsuri
Festival in 1978, which has since become a cherished annual tradition in San Jose Japantown. The festival's mission is to perpetuate and showcase Japanese American arts, culture, traditions, and experiences while providing unwavering support to the San Jose Japantown community, fostering inclusivity, and strengthening community bonds.
Don't miss your chance to experience the vibrant cultural celebration that is the Nikkei Matsuri Festival. Mark the date on your calendar for a day of entertainment, cultural immersion, and culinary delights. Join us at the Nikkei Matsuri Festival on Sunday, April 21, 2024, and be a part of this vibrant celebration in the heart of San Jose Japantown.
For more information and updates, visit www.nikkeimatsuri.org.
Posted in Newsletter 2024-03-21