Celebrate Japanese culture through art, performances, food, and more at Japan Fest, organized by NOMA, the Japan Club in New Orleans, and the Consulate General of Japan in Nashville. 

Sample Japanese cuisine, enjoy traditional dance groups, martial arts demonstrations, and tours throughout the day. Shop a variety of vendors offering unique goods in a festive atmosphere. Costumes are welcome, please see costume guidelines below.

Please note: The expansion of the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is not included in the Japan Fest festivities but will be open to the general public. 

Purchasing tickets on NOMA’s website in advance is strongly recommended. Tickets are available for purchase at the admissions tables in front of the museum and in front of the main gate of the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Visitors are strongly encouraged to bring cash for vendor purchases.

$10 General Admission | $5 for NOMA Members | Free for 19 years old and under

Purchase Tickets

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Festival Schedule

10:00 am | Kaminari Taiko on the front steps

10:30 am | Welcoming remarks by the Japanese Consulate of Nashville & NOMA on the front steps

11:00 am | Shogun Martial Arts in the Great Hall

11:00–11:30 am | Japanese garden tour with the Japanese Garden Foundation at the Japan Society of New Orleans table

11:00 am–2:30 pm (ongoing) | Intro to Zazen meditation with New Orleans Zen Temple in the 2nd floor Contemporary galleries

11:00 am–12:00 pm | PuriKura Panic!! performance in NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Arts

11:30 am–3:00 pm (ongoing) | Japan Society of New Orleans samurai suit fitting on the second floor

11:30 am—12:00 pm | New Orleans Kendo in the Great Hall

11:30 am–12:00 pm | Guided tour of the Japanese gallery on the third floor

12:30–1:00 pm | Kaminari Taiko on the front steps

12:30–1:00 om | Family-friendly guided tour of the Japanese Gallery on the third floor

1:00–1:30 pm | Performance by Japanese Weekend School on the front steps

1:00–1:30 pm | Baton Rouge Iaido swordsmanship demonstration in the Great Hall

1:00–1:30 pm | Candy Mix Maids performance in NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Arts

1:30–2:00 pm | Louisiana Karate Association demonstration in the Great Hall

1:30–2:00 pm | Guided tour of the Japanese gallery on the third floor

2:00–2:30 pm | Performance by Japan Club of New Orleans Minoyo Dance Group in the Great Hall

2:00–3 pm | Fashion show and cosplay costume contest in NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Arts

2:30–3:30 pm | Performance by Miki Fuji on the front steps

2:30–3:00 pm | NOLA Aikido demonstration in the Great Hall

3:00–3:15 pm | New Orleans Zen Temple ceremony in the Great Hall

3:00–3:30 pm | Guided tour of the Japanese gallery on the third floor

3:00–3:45 pm | Performance by the Greater New Orleans Suzuki Forum in NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Arts

3:30–4:00 pm |Kaminari Taiko on the front steps

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Participants

Aikido of New Orleans and NOLA Aikido	Kaminari Taiko of Houston
Ajun Cajun	Linda Green “The Yakamein Lady”
All Nippon Airways	Louisiana Karate Association
Art by Artemis Solas	Minty Mix
Asian Pacific American Society	New Orleans Kendo
B Sweet LA	New Orleans Chapter No 97 Ikebana International
Bambi DeVille Vintage	New Orleans Zen Temple
Baton Rouge Iaido	NOLA Kimekomi
Candy5	NOLA Rufflebutts
Crane’s Nest Go Club	Nori Guys
Donn Davis	PuriKura Panic!!
EM’s Bakery	Shogun Martial Arts
Greater New Orleans Suzuki Forum	Showtime Sweetie
Japan Club of New Orleans	Sweet Star Treasures, LLC
Japanese Consulate of Nashville	The Crab Man Plus, LLC
Japanese Garden Foundation	Twootie Tarte
Japanese Weekend School of New Orleans	UNO-Japan: Study at Doshisha University
Japan Society of New Orleans	Violet Sprinkles

COSTUME GUIDELINES

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

• Costume masks that obstruct or cover the wearer’s face are prohibited. Face masks covering the nose and mouth for health reasons are welcomed but not required.
• Accessories or toy weapons, such as swords, greater than 2 feet in length are not permitted.
• No sharp objects are allowed.
• Costume components cannot extend more than 2 feet in length from the body.
• Please keep all costumes family friendly.

Other restrictions may apply at NOMA’s discretion. A check room will be available for any items not in compliance. For questions regarding costumes, please call 504.658.4100. Please note that admission is required for fashion show participants.

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Sponsors

UBE Corporation	JET Alumni Association
All Nippon Airways	Matusi City
The Consulate General of Japan in Nashville	Shintech Incorporated
Cornerstone Energy Park	Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Gray Construction	Denka Performace Elastomer
Japan Foundation New York	Zen-Noh Grain Corporation
Japan Society of New Orleans	CGB Enterprises, Inc.
Japan Club of New Orleans