Springfield Sister Cities

We're just a few members of the big team it takes to produce the Japanese Fall Festival, but we wanted proof we were still upright by the time breakdown finished Sunday evening.

If you came to the 30th festival last weekend: Thank You! 😘

If you have thoughts you'd like to share about your experience, please use this short survey form. We always look for ways we can make the event better year after year.

https://forms.gle/MWQxPn4W6inRu9ADA

𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 Japanese Fall Festival🍁
Experience a full afternoon of hands-on cultural workshops led by master artists from Japan and expert creators from Springfield.

🇯🇵 𝟏𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. — 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐢 (Stroll Garden) | $60/item | Create a living miniature landscape blending bonsai principles with artistic composition. Instructor: The Plant Room — Springfield’s botanical studio known for terrarium artistry, plant design, and guided horticulture workshops.

🇯🇵 𝟏𝟐:𝟏𝟓 𝐩.𝐦. — 𝐖𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢 (Botanical Center) | $30/person | Learn traditional Japanese confectionery from Noriyuki Kamiyama, fourth generation owner of Kadoya in Koriyama City. He continues his family’s legacy of award winning wagashi, crafting delicate sweets from sweet bean paste.

🇯🇵 𝟏:𝟑𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. — 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 (Botanical Center) | $30/person | Practice expressive brush technique inspired by the festival’s large scale calligraphy performances. Instructor: Seiran Chiba — renowned for dynamic, large format calligraphy showcased throughout the festival.

🇯🇵 𝟑:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. — 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐳𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐮 (Botanical Center) | $30/person | Shape molten sugar into intricate animals and designs. Instructor: Candy 5 — the first Japanese female candy artist in the 300 year history of Amezaiku, trained by master Sir Takeo Kimura. She performed at Disney World’s Epcot Japan Pavilion for 17 years.

🇯🇵 𝟑:𝟑𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. — 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐢 (Stroll Garden) | $60/piece | Hands on bonsai training rooted in traditional Japanese practice. Instructor: Kurt Dillow — Springfield bonsai practitioner known for his work with native Missouri species and for teaching foundational bonsai techniques to new hobbyists.

🎟️ Register online at PeaceThroughPeople.org/JFF. A shuttle runs before each Botanical Center workshop—arrive at Tram Stop 1 at least 15 minutes early.

👉 Explore the full schedule and reserve your spot. Saturday and Sunday are packed with cultural experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

🇺🇸 🇯🇵 Our visiting delegates from Isesaki enjoyed meeting City of Springfield, MO Mayor Jeff Schrag today at the Busch Municipal Building. 🇺🇸 🇯🇵

Emiko Negishi presented Mayor Schrag with a letter from Isesaki Mayor Yasuo Hiji while Kunihiko Naganuma offered gifts from the City and the 伊勢崎市国際交流協会-Isesaki International Relations Association. City delegate Saki Miyagi shared that Isesaki, like Springfield, has two sister cities; the other is Ma'anshan in Anhui, China.

Emiko also brought a souvenir that the Mayor autographed for her - a can of 3 Blind Mice from Mother's Brewing, which Mayor Schrag founded.

The delegates will be at the Cultural Tent at this weekend's Japanese Fall Festival where they look forward to sharing our respective cultures with more area residents.

For full festival information, visit: https://peacethroughpeople.org/jff

Discover the beauty and tranquility of Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden—a 7.5-acre oasis with winding paths, a moon bridge, a tea house, meditation garden, and beautiful traditional Japanese landscaping without leaving Springfield. A special time to visit is Sept. 11 to 13 during its 30th annual Japanese Fall Festival — featuring music, demonstrations and more reflecting Japanese culture. Learn more from Ozarks Alive. https://www.springfieldmo.org/blog/post/mizumoto-japanese-stroll-garden-springfield-sister-cities-offer-connections-with-culture/

Thank you, Ozarks Alive, for sharing the story and beautiful photos of the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden and this weekend's festival!

Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, Springfield Sister Cities offer connections with culture — Ozarks Alive The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Springfield offers a way to connect with culture different than the Ozarks, but tied to it. In 1986, Springfield became sister cities with Isesaki, Japan. (Courtesy of Springfield Sister Cities/Aaron J. Scott)