The University of Montana Western and the Dillon Public Library invite the community to celebrate the third annual Japanese Festival in Western Montana, with a variety of events taking place May 2–3, 2025.

Festival activities for all ages will be held across Dillon, including at the University of Montana Western, the Dillon Public Library, and several local businesses.

This year’s festival will feature performances of koto (Japanese harp) and taiko (Japanese drum), as well as cultural tables with hands-on activities. Additional events throughout downtown Dillon include a presentation by a renowned manga translator, a traditional tea ceremony, a paper armor craft activity, and a samurai demonstration.

Performers and guest speakers will travel from Seattle, Wyoming, and Japan. Nao Fukumoto, the Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) Coordinator, has played a key role in organizing this celebration of Japanese culture.

Schedule:

9AM-5PM - PASSPORT PICK-UP
Dillon Public Library

9AM-5PM - JAPANESE DOLL & CULTURAL DISPLAY
Dillon Public Library

9:30AM-10:30AM - FUROSHIKI WORKSHOP (JAPANESE CLOTH WRAPPING)
Lynn Miyauchi
Dillon Public Library

10AM-11AM - KOTO WORKSHOP 1 (JAPANESE HARP)*
Nanako Takakura
UMW Lewis & Clark Room

11AM-11:30AM - SAITO FAMILY & JAPANESE HISTORY EXHIBIT 1
Lynn Giles
Beaverhead County Museum

11:30AM-1PM - CULTURE TABLE (CALLIGRAPHY, CRAFT, SUSHI SAMPLING, TAIKO & KOTO EXPERIENCE and MORE!)
UMW Lewis & Clark Room

1:30PM-2:30PM - KOTO WORKSHOP 2 (JAPANESE HARP)*
Nanako Takakura
UMW Lewis & Clark Room

2PM-3PM - SAMURAI ARMOR DEMONSTRATION
Lynn Miyauchi
Badger Archery

2PM-2:30PM - SAITO FAMILY & JAPANESE
HISTORY EXHIBIT 2
Lynn Giles
Beaverhead County Museum

3PM-4PM- MANGA TRANSLATION PRESENTATION
Mari Morimoto
The Bookstore

3:30PM-4:30PM - TAIKO WORKSHOP (JAPANESE DRUM)*
Ringtaro Tateishi & Sohshun Tateishi
UMW Lewis & Clark Room

3:30PM-4:30PM - BRACELET MAKING
The Thomas Co Jewelers

4PM-5PM - PAPER ARMOR CRAFT FOR KIDS*
Lynn Miyauchi
Dillon Public Library

4:30PM-5:30PM - YUKATA TRY ON (TRADITIONAL CLOTHING)
Nao Fukumoto
Patagonia

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