Japanese Festival
Japanese Festival
Japanese FestivalLabor 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.
MAJOR VENUE SPONSOR
FESTIVAL SPONSOR
DEMONSTRATION SPONSOR
CSI Leasing, Inc.
Admission
$20 |
$10 |
$10 |
Free |
| General (ages 13 & up) |
Children (ages 3–12) |
Garden member (ages 13 & up) |
Festival-level+ members (limit six adults) and member children (ages 12 and under) |
Purchase Tickets
Featured Performers
Sumo
This year, Japanese Festival presents three of the most popular rikishi in the world.
|
ICHI 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 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 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). |
Plan Your Visit
Enjoy authentic Japanese music, art, dance, food, and entertainment at one of the oldest and largest festivals of its kind in the United States.
View Festival Program View Vendor List
Please note: We welcome all cosplayers to Japanese Festival, but please make sure that your costumes are family appropriate and leave your weapons at home—even if they are harmless props. Violators will be asked to leave the festival.
Teahouse Island Tours—Sold Out
Japanese Festival is your rare opportunity to visit the enchanting Teahouse Island in the heart of the Japanese Garden lake. These intimate guided tours will lead you to the secluded island home of an authentic soan, or farm hut-style teahouse, gifted to the Garden by Missouri's sister state of Nagano, Japan.
2026 Teahouse Island Tours are sold out.
Due to rocky, uneven terrain, Teahouse Island is not accessible via wheelchairs or motorized scooters. We apologize for any resulting inconvenience.
Share Your Japanese Garden Memories
Opened in 1977, Seiwa-en, the Japanese Garden, has welcomed millions of visitors over the past 50 years. As we prepare to celebrate the milestone anniversary of the Japanese Garden in 2027, we invite you to share memories, tributes, or photos that highlight what makes this "garden of pure, clear harmony and peace" so special to you.
Japanese Festival Vendor Information
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
Parking
Free parking is available on several Garden lots along Shaw Blvd., with continuous shuttle service provided throughout the festival weekend. Street parking is also available along Tower Grove Avenue at the Garden's eastern boundary.
Please respect our neighbors and refrain from parking on private lots. Vehicles parked on private lots are subject to towing at the vehicle owners' expense.