Organized by NOMA, the Consulate General of Japan in Nashville and the Japan Club in New Orleans, Japan Fest is the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the Gulf South. It’s a day to sample Japanese cuisine and enjoy traditional dance groups, martial arts demonstrations, tours of our Japanese art collection, fashion shows, and much more.

Admission: $5 | FREE for NOMA members, teens, and children 6 and under

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

10 am | Kaminari Taiko drumming (NOMA front steps)

10:45 am | Welcoming Remarks (NOMA front steps)

11 am | Eishin-Ryu Iaido Sword Drawing (NOMA front steps) • Japanese Garden Foundation Tour (Meet at the Japanese Garden Foundation table in the first-floor Italian Galleries)

11:30 am | GNO Suzuki Forum (Great Hall) • Kimono dressing demonstration (Second floor)

12 pm | Guided tour of Teaching Beyond Doctrine: Painting and Calligraphy by Zen Masters (Third floor Japanese Gallery) • New Orleans Kendo Club (Stern Auditorium) • Guided tour of the Besthoff Sculpture Garden (Meet at the gate of the Sculpture Garden)

12:30 pm | Kaminari Taiko drumming (NOMA front steps)

1 pm | Minyo Dance (NOMA front steps) • Martial arts demonstration by Jujitsu Club of LSU (Stern Auditorium)

1:30 pm | Miyabi Kai Japanese Dance Group of Pensacola, Florida (Stern Auditorium) • Guided tour of Teaching Beyond Doctrine: Painting and Calligraphy by Zen Masters (Third-floor Japanese Gallery)

2 pm | Lolita Fashion Show (NOMA front steps, See Costume Guidelines below) • Martial arts demonstration with Louisiana Karate Association (Stern Auditorium) • Japanese Garden Foundation Tour (Meet at the Japanese Garden Foundation table in the first-floor Italian Galleries)

2:30 pm | Hakkoryu Shindokai Dojo (Stern Auditorium) • New Orleans Zen Temple Ceremony (Great Hall) • Kimono Dressing Ceremony (Second floor)

3 pm | Japanese Weekend School Kid’s Dance (NOMA front steps) • Martial arts demonstration with Aikido of New Orleans (Stern Auditorium) • Guided tour of Teaching Beyond Doctrine: Painting and Calligraphy by Zen Masters (Third floor Japanese Gallery)

3:30 pm | Martial arts demonstration with Shogun Martial Arts (Stern Auditorium) • Raffle for ANA–All Nippon Airways (Great Hall)

4 pm | Kaminari Taiko drumming (NOMA front steps)

Participating sponsors, businesses, and organizations: Aikido of New Orleans, ANA Airways, Baton Rouge Iaido, Consulate General of Japan in Nashville, Crane’s Nest Go Club, Eva Vanrell, Greater New Orleans Suzuki Forum, Hakkoryu Shindokai Dojo, Japan Club of New Orleans, Japan Society of New Orleans, Japanese Antiques and Textiles, Japanese Garden Foundation, Japanese Weekend School of New Orleans, JET Alumni Association, Jujitsu Club of SLU, Kaminari Taiko, Kawaii NOLA, Louisiana Karate Association, Mid City Zen, Miyabi Kai Japanese Dance Group of Pensacola, Florida, New Orleans Chapter 97 Ikebana International, New Orleans Haiku Society, New Orleans Kendo Club, New Orleans Zen Temple, NOLA Aikido, NOLA Kimekomi, NOLA Lolitas, Shogun Martial Arts, Silly Sweet Shop, Twootie Tarte, and UNO Japan — Study Abroad at Doshisa University

Food vendors: Ajun Cajun in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden • Café NOMA, serving Japanese specialties in the museum

COSTUME GUIDELINES:

For the safety and comfort of all guests, as well as the artwork at NOMA:

• No masks are permitted.
• Accessories or weapons (ex: swords) greater than 2 feet in length will not be permitted.
• No sharp objects.
• Costume components cannot exceed or extend 2 feet in length from body.
• Please keep all costumes family friendly.
• Guests participating in the costume contest are still required to pay the $5 admission fee.

Other restrictions may apply at NOMA’s discretion. A check in room will be available for any items not in compliance. For questions regarding costumes please call 504.658.4143.