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 NOMA’s Japanese art collection, fashion shows, and much more.

Admission: $5 | FREE for NOMA members and visitors age 19 and younger

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

10 am

• Kaminari Taiko drumming demonstration (NOMA front steps)

10:45 am

• Welcoming remarks (NOMA front steps)

11 am

• Eishen-Ryu Iaido sword drawing (NOMA front steps)
• The Hearn Society presentation “Seeking an Open Life: Contemporary Collodion Photographs of Japan Inspired by the Writings of Lafcadio Hearn” (Stern Auditorium)
• Japanese Garden Foundation Tour (Meet at the Japanese Foundation table in the Italian Galleries on the ground floor)| Tea Demonstration on 3rd Floor
• Candy 5 demonstration (Café courtyard)

11:30 am

• Greater New Orleans Suzuki Forum concert (Great Hall)
• Kimono dressing demonstration (Second-floor elevator lobby)

12 pm

• Guided tour of Japanese Art Gallery (Third floor)
• Guided tour of Besthoff Sculpture Garden (Meet at the Main Gate)
• Candy 5 demonstration (Café courtyard)

12:30 pm

• Kaminari Taiko drumming demonstration (NOMA front steps)
• New Orleans Kendo Club (Stern Auditorium)

1 pm

• Minyo Dance (NOMA front steps)
• Jujitsu Club of Southeastern Louisiana University (Stern Auditorium)
• Tea demonstration (Third floor)
• Candy 5 demonstration (Café courtyard)

1:30 pm

• Miyabi Kai Japanese Dance Group of Pensacola, Florida (Stern Auditorium)
• Guided tour of Japanese Art Galleries (Third floor)
• Candy 5 demonstration (Café courtyard)

2 pm

• Lolita Fashion Show (NOMA front steps)
• Louisiana Karate Association (Stern Auditorium)
• Japanese Garden Foundation Tour (Meet at the Japanese Foundation table in the Italian Galleries on the ground floor)
• Candy 5 demonstration (Café courtyard)

2:30 pm

• Mechamaid Clubhouse (NOMA front steps)
• Hakkoryu Shindokai Dojo (Stern Auditorium)
• New Orleans Zen Temple Ceremony (Great Hall)
• Kimono dressing ceremony (Second-floor elevator lobby)
• Candy 5 demonstration (Café courtyard)

3 pm

• Japanese Weekend School’s Kids Dance
• Aikido of New Orleans (Stern Auditorium)
• Candy 5 demonstration (Café courtyard)

3:30 pm

• Shogun martial arts (Stern Auditorium)
• All Nippon Airways raffle (Great Hall)

4 pm

• Kaminari Taiko drumming demonstration (NOMA front steps)

Food vendors: Ajun Cajun (Sculpture Garden) • Linda Green “Yakamein Lady” (Sculpture Garden) •  Café NOMA, serving Japanese specialties

Participating sponsors, businesses, and organizations: Aikido of New Orleans, ANA Airways, Amai Nightmare Anime Cover Band, Baton Rouge Iaido, Candy 5, Crane’s Nest Go Club, Eva Vanrell Kimono Demo, Greater New Orleans Suzuki Forum, GACHI, Hakkoryu Shindokai Dojo and Shiatsu Massage, Hearn Society, 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 of Houston, Kawaii NOLA, Louisiana Karate Association, LSU Libraries, Mechamaid Clubhouse, Minyo Folk Dancing Group, Miyabi Kai Japanese Dance Group of Pensacola, Florida, New Orleans Zen Temple, 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, Showtime Sweetie, Twootie Tarte, and UNO Japan — Study Abroad at Doshisa University, Way of Tea Chado demonstration

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.