Japan Fest
Sat, October 26th at 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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
Festival Schedule
10:00 am | Kaminari Taiko on the front steps
10:45 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
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
2:30–3:00 pm | Japanese garden tour with the Japanese Garden Foundation at the Japan Society of New Orleans table
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
Participants
Aikido of New Orleans and NOLA Aikido | Linda Green “The Yakamein Lady” |
Ajun Cajun | Louisiana Karate Association |
All Nippon Airways | Minty Mix |
Art by Artemis Solas | 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 |
Kaminari Taiko of Houston |
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.
Sponsors
UBE Corporation | Japan Club of New Orleans |
All Nippon Airways | Shintech Incorporated |
The Consulate General of Japan in Nashville | Denka Performace Elastomer |
Japan Foundation New York | Zen-Noh Grain Corporation |
Japan Society of New Orleans | CGB Enterprises, Inc. |