This fabulous yearly event takes place in Costa Mesa at the OC Fair & Event Center from October 18-20.2019.
Hours:
Friday 5 pm – 11 pm
Saturday 12 – 10 pm
Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
Since 2009, locals and guests gather to have fun and learn about Japan’s culture, traditions, art, cuisine, and technological innovations. It’s like a short, but beautiful visit to Japan without even leaving Southern California.
Visitors are always entertained with exhibition booths and various stages, Sado (tea drinking ceremony), sake tasting, Awa Odori dance, and much more.
About 30,000 people gather to take in the sites, experience cultural exhibits, live demonstrations, music, and definitely food. Some of the attractions include taiko drumming, calligraphy and flower arrangement demonstrations. For those who fall in love with Japan completely and want to have something to remember this event by, traditional kimonos are available for purchase.
This year’s participants, performers, and major events are:
• Misono – actress, TV personality, pop-rock singer, and song-writer
• Anna Umemiya – talk show and photo session
• Layla Lane – rock duo from LA
• Cosplay show on Saturday
• DJ Meirlin on Saturday
• Kabuki style music, shamisen and hayashi by Fuji on Saturday
• Awa Adori
• Cali Crisis with Stephanie Yanez and Plasmic
• Kohei on Sunday
• Ikebana workshop
• Mirudaru on Saturday
• Chi-ka
• Reakt
• Ring Da Bingo hip-hop
• Jinu Park
The event emcees this year are actress/ models Jennifer Field and Samantha Veil.
Food vendors include Arcane Café, Daikokuya, Dan Dan Noodle, Egghousted, Geko-Tei, Ito-En, Jasmine’s Sweet Treat, Luckyball BBQ, Norigami, Okamoto Kitchen, Rice Balls of Fire, Sakura Café, Shaved Ice from Japan, and many others.
Admission:
$8 for adults and children over 6
Parking: $9 in Lots I and G. Enter through gate 8.