“Nihon Matsuri” Japan Festival Held in Salt Lake City, Utah (April 25, 2026)

On Saturday, April 25th, the annual “Nihon Matsuri” Japan Festival was held on Japantown Street in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The opening ceremony was attended by Stephanie Sueoka, Executive Committee Chair of the Japan Festival, representatives from the Japanese Church of Christ, the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, the Salt Lake City and Utah governments, and Ms. Jani Iwamoto, Honorary Consul of Japan in Salt Lake City.

The festival featured a variety of booths, including Japanese food sellers, as well as stage performances of traditional arts such as taiko drumming and sumo wrestling. Additionally, panel displays shared information about the history of Japanese Americans in Utah and the ongoing Japantown redevelopment project alongside ikebana, kimono, and tea ceremony experiences. It was a well-attended event.

The Consulate-General of Japan in Denver was also invited, with Deputy Consul-General Takayama delivering a speech at the opening ceremony.