A salute to Shizuoka, Japan, and the Japanese culture
Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6, 2024

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. 

Sponsored for the community by: 

Asian Market

2023 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES (2024 schedule to be determined)

• Ikebana display by Ikebana International Omaha #60
• Bonsai display and sale 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 the Japanese Hall of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, an organization that preserves the history and legacy of Japanese Americans in Nebraska.
• Children's crafts- Make a koi fish kite and enjoy some fun coloring pages
• Enter to win- Fill out an entry form to win Japanese dagashi and other fun snacks!

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, Japanese tea with The Tea Smith, and more! 

10:30 to 11:30 a.m.  Hinode Dojo | festival garden lawn

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Koto performances | foyer (short performances during time frame)

11 a.m. Souran Bushi performed by UNO and UNL students | Japanese park

11:15 a.m. to noon  Japanese Flute | Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory

Noon  Omaha Kendo and Iaido Kyokai | festival garden lawn

1 p.m.  Kyudo | Japanese park 

1:30 p.m. Traditional tea ceremony demonstration with Japanese utensils | great hall 

2 to 3 p.m.  Japanese Paper Arts and Easy Origami Workshop | children's classroom

2 p.m. Teas of Japan and Shizuoka presentation by The Tea Smith | Japanese park

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

3:15 p.m. Introductory Taiko Lesson | great hall 

3:45 p.m.  Kokyo Taiko Performance | great hall

SUNDAY ACTIVITIES