A salute to Shizuoka, Japan, and the Japanese culture
Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8, 2023

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

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. 

2022 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES (2023 is under development)

• 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.
• Children's crafts- Cherry blossom art and fun coloring pages

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities with the Omaha Sister Cities Association
Japanese calligraphy, origami, warrior helmet making, chopstick games, traditional games and toys, Japanese ice cream samples from Ted & Wally's Premium Ice Cream, and more! 

10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Japanese Flute | Japanese park

10:30 a.m.  Hinode Dojo | Japanese park

11 a.m.  Teas of Shizuoka, Japan with The Tea Smith | great hall north

11 a.m.  Koto performances | foyer

11:30 a.m. Soran Bushi performed by UNO and UNL students | Japanese park

Noon  Omaha Kendo and Iaido Kyokai | Japanese park

1 p.m.  Kyudo | Japanese park

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.  Japanese Paper Arts and Easy Origami Workshop | great hall 

2 p.m. Traditional tea ceremony demonstration | great hall north

2:30 p.m. Performances by the students of Omaha Japanese School | Japanese park

3 p.m. Soran Bushi performed by UNO and UNL students | Japanese park

3:15 p.m.  Kokyo Taiko Performance | Japanese park

SUNDAY ACTIVITIES