Japan day

Every spring, we celebrate Japanese language and culture during “Japan Day.” This will be the 18th year of Japan Day, which is hosted by the Sac State Japanese Program and Japan Club as part of the Festival of Arts. The theme for this year is “Hamami - Flower Viewing," and the event features a variety of traditional and modern performances, including a Taiko drumming performance at 1:00pm, martial arts demonstrations, cosplay, Sac State’s Soran Bushi dance, and more. In addition, there are many hands-on learning activities available, such as origami, calligraphy, board games, drawing, and dancing.

• Free Event

• Free parking: TBA  Parking PDF Map

• Open to Public

Questions? 

Japan Club President: Gage Clark (gclark@csus.edu); Sac State Japanese Program: Prof. Kazue Masuyama (masuyama@csus.edu)

Japan Day 2026 Theme:  🌸花見 Flower Viewing 

2026 Stage Performances

10:00 AM Introductions & "Welcome to the 19th annual Japan Day"

By 

10:10 AM Opening Act - Soran Bushi Dance Performance by Sac State's Japan Club

Led by 

10:20 AM Radio Taiso

Led by Joshua Opada

English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zbv6gWK3TE

Ehime Prefecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJH2MGNtwiM

10:30 AM Samurai Demonstration

Led by Tip Sayamnath 

10:40 AM Open Mic🎤 Act/Performance

Sign up at MC Booth

11:00 AM Shouting Contest 

By Sac State Japanese Program

Sign up at MC Booth

Write your name, and give us your best scream in Japanese!

11:20 AM Kendo Demonstration

By Sacramento Kendo Dojo

Kendo, meaning "the way of the sword," is a traditional Japanese martial art that emphasizes the use of bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor (bōgu). It has deep roots in the culture and history of the Samurai, focusing on discipline, respect, and the development of mental and physical strength while adhering to tradition and etiquette. Come and watch Sacramento Kendo Dojo’s demonstration and learn about the spirit of Kendo.  

11:45 PM  Singing Performance by Port of Sacramento Japanese School

Song: School Anthem of Port of Sacramento Japanese School

11:55 AM Bun-Eating Contest (pankui kyousou パン食い競走）

By Sac State Japanese Program

Sign up at MC Booth.  Write your name, and try to grab a bun—no hands!

12:15 PM Judo Demonstration

By Sacramento State Judo Club

Kata demonstration, followed by some throwing/technique demonstrations, and then some sparring matches.

12:35 PM  

1:00 PM Taiko Performance

1:50 PM  Jiu Jitsu Demonstration

By  Eliot Kelly Sensei

In recent times, Ju-Jutsu has become known as an effective form of self-defense, an international sport, and an integral component of mixed martial arts. While Ju-Jutsu was a battlefield martial art practiced by the Samurai in Japan, the art was brought to Brazil after the immigration of Japanese people to the Americas began in 1908. In Brazil, the martial art of Ju-Jutsu became known as a hand to hand combat art. As the art was practiced in Brazil, the martial art gradually became to be practiced as a sport. With a new sounding name, Jiu-Jitsu, the sport and martial art was presented to the world through UFC 1 in 1993, and the world championships in 1996. At Japan Day, practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu will demonstrate some of the different strangles, joint locks, throws and positional holds. 

2:20 PM  Open 🎤 Act/Performance 

Sign up at MC Booth.  

As of 4/5/25

• "Cowboy Bebop - Tank" by Mira Loma High School Brass Band

• Moss and Morgana

• Augusta Moth

• Renren Sato

2:55 PM Soran Bushi Dance Performance by Sac State's Japan Club

Led by Gage Clark

3:00 PM Closing Remarks 

By Japan Club and the Japanese Program

2026 Japan Day Learning Tables

TABLE MAP 

SIGN-UP Link

Quadrant 1 Leader: 

Welcome Table    

Lead: Prof. Vassil

Snack Sales Table  

Lead: Joshua Myron

Card-making Table 

Lead: Kaylene Ly

Design unique cards using Japanese motifs and techniques.

Hashi - Chopsticks Table

Picking beans using chopsticks  

Lead: Mark Abdullah

Master the art of using chopsticks by participating in our bean-picking challenge.

Hanafuda Table - Card Game

Lead: Paolo Hidelgo

video instruction

Learn to play Hanafuda and enjoy this classic Japanese card game.

Shogi Table - Japanese Chess

Lead: Paolo Hidelgo, Nobu

How to Video

Challenge yourself with Shogi, the Japanese variant of chess.

Go Table - Board Game

Lead: Julian Roldan

Engage in the ancient board game of Go, a test of tactics and foresight.

Kendama Table - Cup and Ball

Lead: Kati Puzar

Try your hand at Kendama, a traditional cup-and-ball skill game.

Tongue Twister in Japanese 

Lead: Hazuki Uemura & Kana Shigematsu

Have fun twisting your tongue with tricky Japanese phrases

Calligraphy Table  

Lead: Renee Zhang 

Experience the grace and discipline of Japanese calligraphy.

Pin-making Table & Welcome Desk

Lead: Stephanie & Emily

Create your own custom pins inspired by Japanese designs.

Quadrant 2 Leader: 

Koyasan Temple   (Northern California) 

Lead:  (community member)

Gain spiritual insights directly from a Buddhist priest from Northern California's Koyasan Temple.

More information about us, here is the link. Koyasan and other temples

Yo-Yo Table

Sac State Alumni David Baldridge 

Origami and Paper Crane

Lead: Serena Hak & Anh Lu

Paper Crane for World Peace 

Learn about a story of Sadako and the relationship between paper crane and peace. Let's learn how to fold a paper crane, pray for world peace, and write a message in various languages. For more information, click the link. '

High School Teacher Table & Welcome Table  

Japanese language teachers at high schools and colleges

Sakura Gakuen Table 

Lead: Tomomi Flesuras
https://www.buddhistchurch.org/sakura-gakuen
Engage with Japanese language and culture in a community setting.

Hoshuko Table - Port of Sacramento Japanese School

Lead: Principal Abe

Study Abroad Program Table

Angela Wheeler, Sac State Alumni

WAKAMATSU Farm Table 

Lead: Cynthia Chaponot (community member)
Learn about the first Japanese colony in the U.S. and its legacy with the American River Conservancy.
Historical site (1st Japanese colony in US by delegation from Aizu, Japan), American River Conservancy

Matsuyama Table – Sacramento’s Sister City    - pending

Lead: Gloria Esepjo (community member)
Visit Matsuyama and other places in Ehime
Explore Sacramento’s sister city, Matsuyama, and other locations in Ehime prefecture.

Quadrant 3 Leader: 

DJ/MC Table

Lead: Meng Xiong, KSSU, DJ

Sakura Flower Table 

Lead: Emma Ketsavong

Make a beautiful sakura flower and help decorate our cherry tree structure!

Samurai / Sumo 

Lead: Tip Sayamnath

Witness the power and precision of samurai swordplay and putting on Sumo Costume.　

Anime and Manga Table

Lead: Anime and Manga Club

Cosplay: showcase with various cosplay props and advice on how to get into cosplay for any newcomers without the need for it to be expensive whilst maintaining quality.

Games/Art: Showcase of various arts and crafts based items as well as game related hobbies which include model kits, clay figures, trading card games (yugioh and digimon). Also, we will be giving beginner friendly advice on how to enter these hobbies.

KSSU Table

Omikuji  (Link) & Teru Teru Bozu (How to Video)

Lead: 

Explore your future with Japanese-style fortune telling.

Quadrant 4 Leader: 

Manzai / Rakugo 

Lead: 2nd Year Japanese language class

"We will provide a brief overview of Japanese traditional comedy arts Rakugo and Manzai. We will do so by summarizing popular stories like Jugemu, comparing/contrasting Manzai with Western comedy (such as “Who’s on First”), and introducing popular performers for guests who wish to learn more. Additionally, we will have rakugo props at the table for display."

Laugh and learn with demonstrations of Rakugo and Manzai, forms of Japanese comedic storytelling. 

Japanese Language Learning

Lead: Chelsea Shirley & Tim

We will teach you Japanese. We can also write your name in Katakana!

Kanji Challenge

Lead: Winston Cardozo

Nigaoe Drawing Booth

Sac State Alumni Jessica Williams

Kimono and Photo Booth

Miskow sensee

Shara Swanner
Try on kimonos and capture the moment in our themed photo booth.

Japan Jeopardy / Culture Table

Lead: Miskow sensee

Test your knowledge about Japanese culture at our interactive quiz station.

Special Activities

Open Mic Act 

Radio Exercise 

Shouting Contest in Japanese

Shouting in Japanese! Led by Masuyama sensee

Bun-Eating  Contest 

Get a donut without using your hands! Led by Kelly sensee

Singing

Other Fun Activities

• Wanage - Ring Toss

• Origami Plane Flying Contest

Virtual trips to Japan (Watch out QR Code Posting!)

https://www.japan.travel/brochures/eng/index.php

Tokyo: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1032.pdf

Tochigi - North of Tokyo: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/896.pdf

Kyoto: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1487.pdf

　　　https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1485.pdf

Kyoto: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1487.pdf

Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, etc.) https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1607.pdf

　　　https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1630.pdf

Virtual Trip to Aomori Nebuta and other activities in Tohoku: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/353.pdf

Virtual Trip to Sendai Tanabata: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1367.pdf

Virtual Trip to Aizu Wakamatsu and other places in Fukushima: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1484.pdf

🌸Japan Day Volunteer: SIGN UP LINK 

Thank you for your support! Please click HERE (Logistics of the Day)

Japan Day Organizers

Meng Xiong— Japan Club President

Qianhui "Renee" Zhang — Treasurer

- Brochure, Decoration 

Check out Japan Club's Official Facebook and Instagram

Japan Club Adviser - Prof. Kazue Masuyama (masuyama@csus.edu)

サクラメントとは？日本語でサクラメント州立大学やサクラメントについて説明しています。

https://sites.google.com/view/japn150classproject/home