Annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival

The Festival is a nine- day celebration of Japanese and Japanese- American culture and history featuring ondo (folk dancing), cultural exhibits, a parade, a street arts fair, a carnival and the Taiko Gathering. Started by the Nisei (second- generation Japanese Americans) in 1934, during the Great Depression it is now the longest continuing cultural event of the United States.

The festival includes poster and essay contests, radio broadcasts, a fashion show, various cultural exhibits and demonstrations and an ondo parade, in which participants, wearing colorful kimono engaged in the festive art of folk dancing. In 1935, an pageant of Queen was added to it. After nomination, the queen was chosen, whose votes were calculated through scripts available upon purchase of merchandise at Little Tokyo stores.

The festival is a highy organized activity and a number of volunteers put their share of commitement which has resulted in the success of this festival for years. Members of the business community, religious organizations, Japanese American Citizen League chapters, Optimist Clubs, fraternities and sororities commit thousands of hours towards the success of the Nisei Week Japanese Festival.

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Contact Information

Annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival
244 S. San Pedro Street Ste 303
90012 Los Angeles, CA

Tel. +12136877193
info@niseiweek.org
http://www.niseiweek.org