Orlando Japan Festival Returns November 4

Celebrating its 18th year, the free festival
offers fun for guests of all ages

ORLANDO, Fla. (October 2, 2018) – The Japan Association of Orlando (JAO) presents its 18th annual Orlando Japan Festival on Sunday, November 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kissimmee Lakefront Park, located at 69 Lakeshore Blvd. in Kissimmee. The festival offers free admission and fun for guests of all ages.

The Orlando Japan Festival features exciting cultural performances including Judo, Iai (martial arts using swords), Koto (Japanese harp), Musha (samurai warrior), Nihon Buyo (traditional dance), and authentic Japanese Taiko drumming by Orlando Taiko Dojo.

This year’s festival will also feature live painting by Yasunori Kimata, an accomplished artist who uses Shodo (or Shuji) techniques, a Japanese form of calligraphy consisting of unique brush strokes and movements. Sponsored by the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami, Kimata’s live painting enables guests to experience true mastery of the brush as he creates an original piece alongside the rhythms of live music.

Additionally, the Orlando Japan Festival offers guests the opportunity to try on kimonos, participate in a raffle, learn the art of origami, join in the Bon Odori dance, play Japanese carnival games, participate in a Cosplay competition, and enjoy the sounds of a live, 100-drummer Taiko drumming ensemble.

Available for purchase are Japanese food, drinks, arts and crafts, jewelry and more from dozens of festival vendors.

The Orlando Japan Festival is organized by the JAO and sponsored by the City of Kissimmee, the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami, ACT America, IACE Travel, mickeynet, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas, Inc., Mitsukoshi U.S.A., Orlando Taiko Dojo, Sapporo, Asia Trend Magazine, TV Japan and Caravan Serai.

The JAO is a section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Japanese culture within the community and supporting local organizations and individuals in endeavors to further Japanese visual and performing arts, culture and education. For more information about the Orlando Japan Festival, visitwww.jorlando.org or contact [email protected].

For more information about the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami, please contact Miwako Patton at[email protected] or Hector Franco at [email protected] and visit www.miami.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html.