Kansas City Japan Festival

09/12/2026

Experience the power, tradition, and excitement of Sumo Wrestling as former professional wrestler Tatsuosho brings centuries of tradition to life with the Shōgeki Sumo Team at KC Japan Fest 2026!

More than just a wrestling exhibition, the performance explores the fundamentals, history, rituals, and cultural significance of sumo. Learn about the traditions surrounding the ring, discover how sumo wrestlers train and compete, and watch exciting matches demonstrating the strength, balance, and technique behind the sport.

The performance also features live taiko drumming and plenty of audience participation—including the opportunity for select festivalgoers to step up and test their skills against the wrestlers!

Featuring TATSUOSHO, a former professional sumo wrestler from Japan, and the Shōgeki Sumo Team, this action-packed 45-minute performance brings audiences up close to one of Japan’s most iconic traditions.

Get your tickets in advance at:
https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/tickets/

09/05/2026

ONLY A FEW SEATS LEFT for our Poems & Prints Workshop!

Discover two Japanese art forms at KC Japan Fest. In Poems & Prints, you’ll explore waka poetry and mokuhanga woodblock printing, creating a work that brings words and images together.

First, choose from a selection of pre-carved woodblocks featuring traditional Japanese motifs and contemporary imagery, then print your own image by hand using Japanese woodblock printing techniques. Your finished print becomes your inspiration as you compose your own waka: a 31-syllable Japanese poetic form with more than a thousand years of history.

For centuries in Japan, poetry and visual art have been intertwined, with waka appearing on paintings, fans and other works of art. This workshop invites you to experience that tradition yourself—and leave with something uniquely your own.

This is a ticketed add-on workshop. Reserve your spot when you purchase your KC Japan Fest tickets, before this workshop fills up!
https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/tickets/

08/30/2026

ONE DAY LEFT TO SAVE 25%!

Planning to join us for the 2026 Kansas City Japan Festival? Don’t wait — purchase your tickets online by August 31 and save 25% with code SUMO2026.

This year, KC Japan Fest steps into the ring with SUMO, plus a full day of Japanese performances, food, art, culture, shopping, hands-on workshops and more!

🎟️ The advance ticket discount ends tomorrow, August 31. Get your discount:
https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/tickets/

08/26/2026

Experience the way of tea at the 2026 Kansas City Japan Festival! This special add-on workshop offers a chance to experience sadou (茶道), “the way of tea,” as an invited guest. Begin with a demonstration exploring the traditions and principles of Japanese tea culture, then enjoy ceremonial matcha and wagashi, a traditional Japanese sweet.

You’ll also have the opportunity to participate yourself, learning to prepare and serve tea to your fellow guests.

Space is limited. Use code SUMO2026 to receive 25% OFF each festival ticket through August 31. https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/tickets/

08/24/2026

New this year! In this paid kid's workshop, young Japan Fest visitors will learn about koinobori—the colorful carp wind socks traditionally flown in Japan as symbols of strength, perseverance and good fortune. Each child will decorate their own vibrant koinobori to take home as a special keepsake.

Space is limited, so reserve your kiddo's spot soon!
Use code SUMO2026 to receive 25% OFF each festival ticket through August 31. https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/tickets/

Note: Each child must be accompanied by one adult age 18+. Accompanying adults are there to assist their child and do not need a workshop ticket.

08/22/2026

Join us at Planet Anime August 21-23 in the Anime Entertainment Zone! We are folding origami sumo to celebrate this year’s festival guest and theme!!

08/22/2026

Try your hand at shodou (書道), the Japanese art of calligraphy, with an add-on workshop at the 2026 Kansas City Japan Festival!

You’ll learn how to work with traditional brush, ink and paper, practice the foundational brush strokes used to create kanji characters, and complete your own calligraphy omiyage (souvenir) to take home and display.

Space is limited. Use code SUMO2026 to receive 25% OFF each festival ticket through August 31. https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/tickets/

08/20/2026

Our most popular paid workshop is back! In this hands-on workshop, you will learn Kintsugi 金継ぎ, meaning ‘golden repair’, is the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with powdered gold or other metal.

This workshop sold out quickly last time it was offered, so claim you spot quickly! Use code SUMO2026 to receive 25% OFF each festival ticket through August 31. https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/tickets/

08/18/2026

KC Japan Fest Workshops Now On Sale!

Back by popular demand, exclusive paid workshops are available. Add them on at checkout when you purchase your 2026 festival ticket. Hurry, spots are limited and fill up fast.

https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/tickets/

Choose from:
Kintsugi — discover the Japanese art of golden repair
Japanese Calligraphy — experience shodou, the way of the brush
Koinobori — a colorful carp streamer workshop just for kids
Tea Ceremony — experience the traditions and rituals of sadou
Poems & Prints — combine waka poetry with Japanese woodblock printing

And don't forget to use code SUMO2026 to receive 25% OFF each ticket through August 31!

08/03/2026

🎟️ Tickets for the 2026 Kansas City Japan Festival are now on sale! Use code SUMO2026 to receive 25% OFF each ticket through August 31.

This year’s festival spotlights the incredible tradition of Sumo, featuring former professional sumo wrestler Tatsuosho and the Shogeki Sumo Team, plus authentic Japanese food, cultural performances, shopping, exhibits, and special workshops.

https://www.kcjapanfestival.org/tickets/
Get your tickets before the discount disappears!

The Kansas City Japan Festival showcases Japanese culture in KC. Featuring music and dance performances, martial arts, anime and manga, Japanese food, and more!