2024 - 66th Annual Ginza Holiday Festival (Japanese Cultural Festival: Japanese Food, Minyo Dancers, Martial Arts, Crafts..) 3 DaysNEW

Our 66th Annual Ginza Holiday Festival, a Japanese cultural festival featuring handmade crafts, food, and entertainment, will be presented by the Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT) on July 26, 27, & 28 at 435 W. Menomonee Street in Chicago’s historic Old Town.

Dates
July 26, 2024: 5 pm - 8 pm
July 27, 2024: 11 am - 7 pm
July 28, 2024: 11 am - 4 pm

Once again MBT is honored to present the Waza, master artisans from Japan, creating handmade crafts originating over 300 years ago and passed down through generations. Ginza visitors will have the opportunity to meet the Waza and even purchase some of their crafts. In addition, Ginza hosts many local artisans who exhibit and sell items such as artwork, jewelry, textiles from Japan, kimonos, and t-shirts.

An abundance of traditional Japanese cuisine will be offered, including MBT’s famous grilled Chicken Teriyaki dinner, udon (Japanese cold noodles), grilled Corn on the Cob and Hawaiian Shave ice. For dessert, try the kintoki (Japanese snow cone topped with sweet azuki beans). Japanese beer will also be available.

Throughout the event there will be ongoing stage performances featuring Taiko Drumming, Minyo Folk Dancing, demonstrations of Martial Arts, and more.

The MBT chapel will be open for visitors who are interested in observing the place of worship and learning the basics of Shin Buddhism. During stage intermissions, our minister will deliver brief talks on Buddhism.

Features

Food
• Charcoal-grilled Chicken Teriyaki, Udon noodles, fresh Corn on the Cob, and more
• Purchase items directly at food booths (cash and credit cards accepted)

Entertainment
• Minyo dancers, Taiko drumming, Martial arts demonstrations
• Local Asian-themed Craft Vendors
• Chapel tours with talks on Shin Buddhism

Schedule

Friday, July 26
6:00 pm: MBT Minyo Group
6:30 pm: Chicago Aikikai
7:00 pm: MBT Taiko Group

Saturday, July 27
12:00 pm: MBT Minyo
12:30 pm: Choyokan Kendo
1:00 pm: Ho Etsu Taiko
2:30 pm: Na Kapuna Ukulele
3:00 pm: MBT Taiko
3:30 pm: Chicago Aikikai
5:00 pm: Chicago Koto Group
5:30 pm: MBT and Ho Etsu Taiko

Sunday, July 28
12:00 pm: MBT Minyo
12:30 pm: Choyokan Kendo
1:00 pm: Ho Etsu Taiko
2:30 pm: MBT Taiko & Ho Etsu Taiko
3:30 pm: Raffle Drawing

Featured Performers
• MBT Minyo Group: Traditional Japanese folk music and dance
• Choyokan Kendo Dojo: Japanese martial art of swordsmanship
• Ho Etsu Taiko: Japanese drumming ensemble
• Chicago Aikikai: Aikido dojo
• MBT Taiko Group: Japanese American Buddhist Taiko drumming
• Na Kapuna Ukulele Club of Chicago: Hawaiian music and dance
• Chicago Koto Group: Traditional Japanese music with Koto and Sakuhachi

Waza Artisans
• Eiji Kinoshita: Unique earthenware from Kyushu Oita Prefecture
• Masahiro Kawakami: Tenugui (hand-painted cotton cloth) from Asakusa Tokyo Prefecture
• Yuzo Mori: Bamboo crafts from Kyushu Oita Prefecture
• Shunsuke Igarashi: Papier-mâché figurines from Kasukabe Saitama Prefecture

Local Artisans
• Ariyama Studio: Screen-printed images and T-shirts with Japanese influence
• Sansei Artisans: Sumi-e and watercolor paintings
• Origami Only: Handmade décor in framed pictures
• SumoFish: Japanese and Hawaiian culture-inspired T-shirts and decals
• Flying Plumtree Studio: Handmade Ojizo statues and Japanese-style tableware
• Kimono Japon Sac: Handbags made from vintage kimonos and obi
• Lisa L Ceramics: Handmade ceramics in porcelain and stoneware
• Shinsen: Japanese black ink calligraphy
• Art Towata Ceramics: Beautiful ceramics from the late master potter Art Towata
• Chicago Japanese Club: Promoting cultural exchange and education with Japanese-themed items and games for children

Midwest Festival, Bon Odori & Practices

Festival Location
Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 West Menomonee Street, Chicago, IL 60614 

Festival Title
Annual Ginza Holiday Festival (Japanese Cultural Festival - Japanese Food, Martial Arts, Unique Crafts..)

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