A salute to Shizuoka, Japan, and the Japanese culture
Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9, 2022

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Due to COVID-19, dates, activities, and services are subject to change or to cancellation.

For an entire weekend, the garden grounds are alive with merriment as guests celebrate the joys of autumn and experience the Japanese culture first-hand. Most activities are free with garden admission or membership. 

The Omaha Sister Cities Association helps host the Autumn and Japanese Ambience Festival, with a variety of activities to celebrate the Japanese culture. Japanese Ambience also celebrates the anniversary of the gift of the Japanese Sunpu Castle Gate at Lauritzen Gardens by Shizuoka, Japan, Omaha's first Sister City. Enjoy activities like Japanese calligraphy, koinobori, origami, chop sticks, traditional Japanese games, food tastings and more. Performances will include martial arts demonstrations, taiko drumming and traditional Japanese music and dance. Paid activities will help fund the construction of phases II and III of the future Japanese garden at Lauritzen Gardens. 

2021 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES (subject to changes or additions)

• Ikebana display by Ikebana International Omaha #60
• Bonsai display by the Nebraska Bonsai Society
• Join the Omaha GO Association to learn about GO, a board game of skill and strategy that is hugely popular in Japan.
• Origami artist’s booth by Linda Stephen, Origami Artist, featuring original origami art for purchase
• Find out about Japan Hall of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, an organization that preserves the history and legacy of Japanese Americans in Nebraska.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children’s Activities

Cherry blossom craft • coloring pages 
hallway outside children’s classroom

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities with the Omaha Sister Cities Association

Calligraphy • Origami • Chopstick Games • Traditional Games & Toys • Samurai Helmet Making
Ice Cream Samples from Ted & Wally's Premium Ice Cream 
festival garden patio

10:30 a.m. Hinodedojo martial arts demonstration | festival garden lawn

11 a.m. The teas of Shizuoka with The Tea Smith | conservatory gallery

Noon Omaha Kendo & Iaido Kyokai martial arts performances | festival garden lawn

1 p.m. Kyudo (Japanese archery) demonstration by Kenneth Yoho | festival garden lawn 
Watch a combination of skill, sport, and graceful, intentioned movement

1:30 p.m. Origami and washi Japanese paper arts workshop | conservatory gallery

2 p.m. Traditional Koto Music by Tomoko Shepherd and Emiko Unno| foyer
Enjoy traditional Japanese instrumental music, which mimics the sounds of nature

2:30 p.m. Traditional tea ceremony demonstration | great hall
See the preparation and presentation of matcha tea by Japanese students using Japanese utensils.

3 p.m. Kokyo Taiko Drummers | great hall 
Don't miss the dynamic, thunderous, and powerful sounds of this choreographed drum performance!

SUNDAY ACTIVITIES