Japan Festival Houston
2024/9/16
On September 7th and 8th, Japan Festival Houston (hereafter referred to as the “Festival”) was held in Hermann Park. Japan Festival Houston is the largest Japan-related event in Texas (and the largest in the southern United States), occurring annually at Hermann Park, where the Japanese Garden is located. It is the only event named after a foreign nation allowed to be held in the park.
The Festival featured performances of Japanese musical instruments and taiko drums, chindon-ya (brightly-costumed street performers who advertise for shops), yosakoi (a traditional dance), jujutsu, kendama, and more. Various groups provided experiential activities to introduce guests to Japanese culture, and Japanese food such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, ramen, and wagashi sweets were abundant. Visitors were able to enjoy Japanese culture.
The booth for the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston introduced Japanese culture by allowing guests to make traditional kokeshi dolls, write wishes on votive “ema” plaques, try on kimono, and collect Niponica – an educational magazine published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for overseas audiences.
While at the Festival, Consul General Naganuma also attended a tea ceremony led by the Houston Chapter of Urasenke Tankokai and a flower arranging demonstration by the Houston Chapter of Ikebana International.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston will continue to support cultural exchange and ventures promoting Japan.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston will continue to support cultural exchange and ventures promoting Japan.