Japanese Festival

Japanese Festival

WhenSaturday, September 5, 2026
4:00 AM – 4:00 PM
WhereMissouri Botanical Garden

Japanese Festival

Japanese Festival

Labor Day Weekend

September 5–6 | 9 a.m.–9 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.)
September 7 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)

Experience the thunderous pounding rhythms of the taiko drums, sumo wrestling, and more at this three-day cultural adventure right here at the Garden. 

For more than 40 years, the Missouri Botanical Garden has produced the annual Japanese Festival in conjunction with the Japanese Activities Committee, a coalition of several Japanese-American organizations that provide art, dance, food and entertainment for thousands of visitors each year.


 

Japanese Festival is a rain-or-shine event. Festival admission required for Garden entry September 5–7. Tram tours, Café Flora brunch, and Saturday morning walking hours will not take place Labor Day weekend. 

 

Featured Performers


Sumo

This year, Japanese Festival presents three of the most popular rikishi in the world.

ICHI
6'4"   540 lbs
* Emperor's Cup Winner (highest prize in Pro Sumo!)

Ichi is one of the greatest living sumo wrestlers. He reached the top division of Pro Sumo at record pace (at the time), and defeated 5 different Grand Champions, a total of 9 times (almost an historical record).  He was ranked in the top 1% of ALL Pro Sumo wrestlers. He loves archery, and also grew up riding horses (he can still ride if you bring a Clydesdale!).

MENDEE
5'10"   340 lbs
* Amateur World Sumo Champion

Mendee has competed all over the world in sumo, for most of his life. He dominated the US Sumo Open, with almost perfect records, in all 4 years that he's competed, so far. He's also a perennial medalist in the Sumo World Championships.

ZORIG
6'3"   320 lbs
* All-Star Sumo Champion

Zorig competed for years in Pro Sumo, and around the world. He also has won tournaments in free-style wrestling, soccer, and more. He can walk on his hands, do acrobatics, leg splits, ice skating and roller skating stunts, and much more. He speaks 6 languages (Mongolian, Japanese, Spanish, English, French, and Russian).

 

 

Location & Parking

The Missouri Botanical Garden is easily accessible from the St. Louis metro area and conveniently located near Interstate 44.
 

Address

4344 Shaw Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63110

Get Directions

 

Parking

Free parking is available at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and South Vandeventer Avenue. Parking shuttles run continuously throughout the weekend. 

View Map

Please respect our neighbors and refrain from parking on residential streets or private lots. Vehicles parked on private lots are subject to towing at the vehicle owners' expense. 

 


Missouri Botanical Garden

         

4344 Shaw Blvd,
St. Louis, MO 63110

(314) 577-5100

Hours & Admission

Missouri Botanical Garden

Butterfly House

         

15050 Faust Park
Chesterfield, MO 63017

(314) 577-0888

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Butterfly House

Shaw Nature Reserve

         

307 Pinetum Loop Rd,
Gray Summit, MO 63039

(314) 577-9555

Hours & Admission

Shaw Nature Reserve

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