{"id":3756,"date":"2026-09-30T09:00:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T14:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/?p=3756"},"modified":"2026-09-29T19:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T00:22:09","slug":"japan-festival-returns-to-jccc-for-its-21st-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/2026\/09\/30\/japan-festival-returns-to-jccc-for-its-21st-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan Festival Returns To JCCC For Its 21st Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><strong>Cosplayers pose in character in front of the Tori Gate in MTC at Japan festival 2025. Photo by Mckenzie Hollinshed<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you&#8217;re even a little curious about Japanese culture and traditions, don\u2019t miss the upcoming <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kcjapanfestival.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Greater Kansas City Japan Festival<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> hosted right here on campus next month.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, celebrate this year\u2019s theme of Sumo traditions with demonstrations by the Shogeki Sumo Team, as well as various arts and crafts workshops, Japanese food, performances and shopping scattered around several buildings on campus.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kcjapanfestival.org\/tickets\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Tickets are on sale now.<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> You can purchase them online or at box offices located in the Midwest Trust Center (MTC) lobby or the Satellite in the Student Center.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With proper ID, admission for JCCC students: $8.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Adults: $25\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Youth (Ages 6\u201318): $18<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Children ages 5 and under receive free admission.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Make sure to pick up your wristbands at one of several box office locations:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">MTC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Student Center (SC)\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Regnier Center (RC)\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Office and Classroom Building, just outside the CoLab.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">KC Japan Fest hosted its first event at JCCC in 2004, departing from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where it began in 1997. This year marks the 21st festival here on campus.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Kotoko Grass is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Foreign Language Department as well as the primary faculty supervisor for the Nihongo Club, which celebrates Japanese culture year-round.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Members meet biweekly on Fridays at 3:00 p.m. at the CoLab and practice Japanese with their peers.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt is a wonderful community for JCCC alumni to return to and share their experience, wisdom, and encouragement with fellow members. Our goal is to have fun, learn, connect, and grow as a JCCC community that brings cultural diversity to the college,\u201d Grass said.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For years, the group has met consistently every other week, providing a community for new and returning members.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We have fun in ways that differ from the classroom setting, and it provides a warm, welcoming space for many students to find a sense of belonging at the college,\u201d Grass said. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Although not directly affiliated with KC Japan Fest, Nihongo Club hosted a fundraising table last year and will continue to showcase its highlights at the upcoming event with a booth.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Grass notes that KC Japan Fest, in conjunction with the JCCC Japanese Program, plays a significant role in sharing Japanese culture with the local community.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt is amazing for the JCCC Japanese Program and the Nihongo Club to have the Japan Festival on the JCCC campus every year. This event brings so much attention to the college and lets community members know what we have to offer. We don&#8217;t have a large Japanese population in this area, so being able to share our culture with the community means a lot to me. Many students in the JCCC Japanese Program participate and volunteer at the festival every year. They are proud to be a part of it, and it brings them joy to participate not just as audience members, but as active contributors who help promote cultural diversity and highlight Japanese culture,\u201d Grass said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For more information about the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kcjapanfestival.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">festival<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jccc.campuslabs.com\/engage\/organization\/nihongoclub\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Nihongo Club<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, check out their websites and information pages.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, celebrate this year\u2019s theme of Sumo traditions with demonstrations by the Shogeki Sumo Team, as well as various arts and crafts workshops, Japanese food, performances and shopping scattered around several buildings on campus.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":2407,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_ppma_block_editor_authors":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[364],"class_list":["post-3756","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"author_meta":{"display_name":"Saul Epstein","author_link":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/author\/sepstein\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/files\/2025\/10\/Mckenzie1.jpeg","coauthors":[{"link":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/author\/aneesah-jameel\/","display_name":"Aneesah Jameel"}],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/category\/featured\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Featured<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Featured<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 13 hours ago","modified":"Updated 1 day ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on September 30, 2026","modified":"Updated on September 29, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on September 30, 2026 9:00 am","modified":"Updated on September 29, 2026 7:22 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"Screenshot","series_order":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"authors":[{"term_id":364,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"aneesah-jameel","display_name":"Aneesah Jameel","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","author_category":"","first_name":"","last_name":"","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":""}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/files\/2025\/10\/Mckenzie1.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3756","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3756"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3756\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3758,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3756\/revisions\/3758"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3756"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3756"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.jccc.edu\/messenger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=3756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}