Sunday April 12, 2026
University Union
All performances
Pacific Suite (3F)
Culture and Information Tables:
Forest Suite (2nd Floor)
Orchard Suite (2nd Floor)
Foothill Suite (3rd Floor)
Valley Suite (3rd Floor)
Welcome/Information Table
Summit Room (3rd Floor)
2026 Japan Day Was a Great Success — Thank You!
Taiko
Performance
Learning Table
Dance
What is Japan Day ? 🇯🇵
by Christian Lopez (2019)
Japan Day 2022 YouTube Video Playlist https://bit.ly/3TGNrtk
2021 Virtual J-Day
TV-short.mov2024 Japan Day
Michael and Austin at Study 40
Every spring, we celebrate Japanese language and culture during “Japan Day.” This will be the 19th 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 “Matsuri - Festival," and the event features a variety of traditional and modern performances, including a Taiko drumming performance, Samurai demonstrations, 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 lantern making.
Free Admission
Free parking: Parking Structure 1 : Student Parking Only (NOT faculty/staff parking)
Open to Public
Questions?
Japan Club President: Meng Xiong (mxiong12@csus.edu), Japan Club Vice President/Event Coordinator: Renee Zhang (qianhuizhang@csus.edu); Sac State Japanese Program: Prof. Kazue Masuyama (masuyama@csus.edu)
💪All Volunteers/Performers
🏮🏮🏮PLEASE READ Important Information 🏮🏮🏮
Please note that the website may contain advertisements.
Japan Day 2026 Theme: Matsuri 祭り
Festival
Our slogan is about connection.
繋ぐ (tsunagu) = to connect (action)
繋がる (tsunagaru) = to be connected (state)
繋げる (tsunageru) = to expand or create connections
We chose 繋ぐ as our main idea because Japan Club is about actively connecting people—
connecting people with each other, with Japanese culture, and with the community.
Japan Day has continued for many years, and each year we pass this experience to the next group.
So, this slogan represents both connection and continuity.
Our Partners
American River Conservancy: Wakamatsu Farm
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Center
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
International Programs & Global Engagement (IPGE)
Japanese Language Teachers in the Greater Sacramento Region
Matsuyama–Sacramento Sister City Corporation (MSSCC)
Minyo Tanoshimikai
Northern California Koyasan Temple
Port of Sacramento Japanese School ポートオブサクラメント補習校
Friends of Japan Club:
Soranbushi Club, Anime and Manga Society, Judo, Cosplay, Circle K
Local Companies who support this event (2026)
North American Food Distributing Co., Inc. [LINK]
2026 Pamphlet
2026 Stage Performance
💪All Volunteers/Performers
Led by MC Anh Lu, MC Karena Chiu
Led by Sac State's Soran Bushi Club
Led by Renee Zhang, Paolo Hidalgo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwOvu-j_WjY
Led by Joshua Opada
English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zbv6gWK3TE
Ehime Prefecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJH2MGNtwiM
Led by Tip Sayamnath
Song: School Anthem of Port of Sacramento Japanese School
Led by Sacramento State Judo Club
Kata demonstration, followed by some throwing/technique demonstrations, and then some sparring matches.
Led 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.
Sign up at MC Booth
Sign up at MC Booth. Write your name, and try to grab a bun—no hands!
1:00 PM Dance Performance
By Minyo Tanoshimikai
1:30 PM Taiko Performance
By Koyasan Spirit of Children Taiko
Sign up at MC Booth
Write your name, and give us your best scream in Japanese!
By Professor Masuyama Kazue
By Sac State's Soran Bushi Club
By Japan Club and the Japanese Program
Lead: John Oropesa
Lead: Lauren Mangels
Calligraphy Table
Lead: Arielle David
Experience the grace and discipline of Japanese calligraphy.
Sac State's Judo Club Table
Lead: Judo Club President Maxmillian Daniel Bender
Quadrant 2 Leader: Paolo Hidalgo
Lead: Shiho Asai (Hanafuda)
Learn to play Hanafuda, Karuta, Shogi, Go and enjoy this classic Japanese card game.
Lead: TBA
Master the art of using chopsticks by participating in our bean-picking challenge.
Quadrant 4 Leader: Mark Mulumba
Design unique cards using Japanese motifs and techniques.
Quadrant 5 Leader: Emma Ketsavong
At this table, we will be selling Japan Club merchandise, including:
Japan Club 2026 T-shirts
Sticker Packs
Japan Club 2025 T-shirts
Japanese hina dolls are displayed during the Girls’ Day Festival on March 3. This display represents the imperial court and symbolizes wishes for girls' health and happiness. Thank you to our generous donor, Ms. Susan Clement, for sharing these beautiful cultural treasures. Donated by Susan Clements
Shouting in Japanese! Led by Masuyama sensee
Get a donut without using your hands! Led by Kelly sensee
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
Meng Xiong - Japan Club President
Qianhui "Renee" Zhang - Japan Club Vice President/Treasurer
Event coordination & management - Renee Zhang, Meng Xiong, Dom Mesa
Flyer, Pamphlet, Graphic - Serena Hak, Renee Zhang
Check out Japan Club's Official Facebook and Instagram
Japan Club Adviser - Prof. Kazue Masuyama (masuyama@csus.edu)
Sacramento State is committed to creating inclusive and accessible events.
For disability-related accommodations, please contact the Disability Access Center at dac@csus.edu or (916) 278-6955 as soon as possible prior to the event.
For event-specific questions, please contact Prof. Kazue Masuyama at masuyama@csus.edu.
