Come celebrate the history, culture, and people of Japan
A family-friendly, interactive and hands-on experience of Japanese culture featuring food, entertainment, games, crafts and more!
Entertainment
A full day of music, dance, martial arts and taiko.
Main Stage Emcees
Allison Kiefer
Margaret Price
Performers
Kazha
Nashville Taiko
NATURA
nozomi
Sangulnsomnia
Saturn's Rings
St. Louis Osuwa Taiko
Synonymix!
The Skalors
The Candyman - Masaji Terasawa
Martial Arts Groups
Memphis Classical Budo Club - Japanese Swordsmanship
Memphis Goju-ryu Karate
Memphis Kendo and Iaido Club
Memphis Kendo Association
University of Memphis Taido Karate Club
Cosplay & Lolita Fashion Show
St. Louis Osuwa Taiko
Ensemble taiko drumming, or kumi-daiko, is a contemporary performance art that draws from traditional and folkloric music in Japan. Founded in 1986, St. Louis Osuwa Taiko is one of the oldest active kumi-daiko groups in the United States. We innovate and share the art of taiko through year-round performances, workshops, and classes for children, adults, and seniors. For more information, visit http://stltaiko.com/.
St. Louis Osuwa Taiko is very excited to be participating in the 2024 Memphis Japan Festival! We hope to see you there!
Kazha
A Japanese band representing Music Export Memphis as Official Ambassador and the birth place of Rock’N’Roll - Memphis, TN
Kazha will be performing at the 2024 Memphis Japan Festival! Founded by Japanese singer/bassist Kazuha Oda and guitarist Hideki Matsushige, Kazha is a Japanese rock band based in Memphis, touring the U.S.A. as an Official Ambassador of Music Export Memphis and representing the birth place of Rock’N’Roll - Memphis, TN. Kazha makes special guest appearances at anime and comic conventions and festivals and is also the only band from Japan that is listed on the Top Special Guest List of AnimeCons.com - the most popular Anime Convention directory on the internet. They have also been featured on local broadcasts, such as WREG News Channel 3, ABC 24 News, and WMC Action News 5. In October, 2018, Kazha released their self-titled third album “Kazha”. Representing a new future of music, Kazha is a fusion of cultures and musical view points that create their sound, combining the softness of a falling feather and the heaviness of a hurricane.
Masaji Terasawa The Candyman
Masaji Terasawa is The Candyman. His specialty is the ancient Japanese art of amezaiku, a method of sculpting hot taffy-like candy into fantastic shapes of animals and other creatures. Mr. Terasawa, who lives in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, is said to be the only known person in the United States practicing this almost forgotten Japanese art. He began as a street performer in Japan. Later, he moved to the United States and began entertaining crowds at Disney World's Epcot Center in Florida. He travels to Japanese festivals throughout the country and is a fan favorite at the Memphis Japan Festival every year.
Martial Arts on the Lawn
10:20 A.M. University Of Memphis Taido Karate Club
10:50 A.M. Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu Japanese Swordsmanship
11:50 A.M. Memphis Kendo Association
12:50 P.M. University Of Memphis Taido Karate Club
1:30 P.M. Memphis Kendo And Iaido Club
2:00 P.M. Memphis Goju-Ryu Karate Be Sure To Visit Culture Camp & The Main Stage
Activities:
Bonsai at the Garden
Beautiful displays and workshops with the Memphis Bonsai Society.
Japanese Cultural Activities provided by Students of the Japanese Program at the University of Memphis and Memphis Botanic Garden
Kamishibai storytelling, calligraphy, origami, Japanese toys and paper airplanes
Culture Camp
Fun and interesting lectures and workshops about Japan and Japanese culture.
Goldfish Scooping with the University of Central Arkansas Japanese Club
Scoop goldfish from a pool with a paper scooper called a “poi”. Requiring care and speed, the game is over when the poi is broken.
Kamishibai with Students of the Japanese Program at the University of Memphis
Martial Arts on the Lawn
Traditional Japanese martial arts demonstrations.. (Click here)
Sumo Suit Wrestling
(Click here)
Tea House “Edo”
Complimentary Japanese green tea, rice crackers and candy and a place to relax. Courtesy of the Japanese Traders and Manufacturers Association and the Japan-America Society of Tennessee.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
Experience this ancient practice that expresses the essence of Japanese culture and the principles of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. Click here for more information.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville
Children’s Japanese toys.
Admission
The Box Office at Gate A will open at 9:00 a.m.
Admission includes Memphis Botanic Garden.
- Adults $12
- Seniors (62+) $10
- Students $7
- Children (2-12) $7
- Children (under 2) Free
- Garden members Free
- Parking Free
If you are a student, bring your student ID if you have one or advise the Box Office representative that you are a student.
