The Japanese Festival is one of the largest and longest-running celebrations of Japanese culture in the country. Since 1977, the Garden has partnered with local Japanese American organizations to host this event, which features internationally renowned performances, professional sumo wrestlers, bonsai and ikebana displays and local Japanese cuisine.
In 2026, the festival will feature an award-winning musician, a renowned Wagashi artist, an interactive magician and three sumo wrestlers.
Featured Performer
Masayo Ishigure is an internationally acclaimed musician, recognized for her work to promote traditional Japanese music with audiences throughout the United States and around the globe. Through performances at some of the world's most prestigious venues and contributions to an award-winning film soundtrack, she has become one of the leading ambassadors of Japanese musical traditions in the U.S.
Originally from Japan’s Gifu prefecture, Ms. Ishigure began playing the koto and jiuta shamisen at the age of five. She later graduated from Takasaki Junior College, majoring in Koto and Shamisen.
After moving to New York City in 1992, Ms. Ishigure established herself as a prominent performer, appearing at renowned venues including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. She has also performed as a guest artist with symphony orchestras throughout the United States and presented concerts internationally.
In 2005, Ms. Ishigure contributed to the soundtrack for the film Memoirs of a Geisha with John Williams, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma and others. The soundtrack earned numerous honors, including a Grammy Award and a Golden Globe Award, and received an Academy Award nomination.
In 2016, the Consul General of Japan in New York honored Ms. Ishigure with the Consul General’s Commendation, and in 2023, a recital was held at Carnegie Hall to commemorate the 30th anniversary of her professional career in the United States.
Ms. Ishigure will be performing with a trio throughout the Japanese Festival weekend.
September 5–6, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. and September 7, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where:
Missouri Botanical Garden
Cost: Advanced tickets are strongly recommended.
Reserve tickets at
mobot.org/japanesefestival
Adult - $20
Child - $10
Member Adult – $10
Member Child – Free
What's in Bloom:
In September, you can enjoy beautiful asters, waterlilies, and sunflowers blooming throughout the Garden. If you’d like to explore Japanese plants, keep an eye out for the Japanese pagoda tree, Japanese anemones, and Japanese spireas.
