September 19 & 20 at Gas South Convention Center
September in metro Atlanta is typically filled with community festivals and fall fairs as neighbors gather to celebrate the start of cooler weather, community and shared interests. One festival, in particular, stands out, continuing to grow in size and popularity more than 20 years after its founding.
JapanFest Atlanta, a production of the educational nonprofit, JapanFest Inc. and supported by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, the Japan-American Society of Georgia and the Consulate-General of Japan is a two-day, family-friendly, cultural event designed to promote friendship and exchange between the Japanese and American communities in the Southeast.
One of the largest Japanese festivals in the country, it features two full days of performances, interactive experiences, delicious food and a bustling Japanese marketplace.
Thousands attend each year, with all age groups represented. Young kids, teens, adults, families, cosplayers, gamers, anime fans and anyone who wants to enjoy an immersive dive into Japanese culture will find something to celebrate at the annual event.
This year’s JapanFest — with the theme “Timeless Japan” — takes place September 19–20 at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth and will showcase Japanese products, entertainment, culture and cuisine through returning vendors and performers as well as a few new offerings.
“Timeless Japan” 2026 highlights and headliners
Broadway performer and Rakugo master storyteller, hailed as the “King of Kimono Comedy,” Katsura Sunshine makes another appearance at the festival this year, sharing humor and captivating renditions of classic Japanese tales.
There will also be performances by the Matsuriza Taiko Japanese Drum Troupe and Samurai Sword Soul, as well as sumo, karate, kendo and kyudo martial arts demonstrations.
Blending traditional taiko rhythms with dynamic choreography and a powerful stage presence, the world-renowned Matsuriza Taiko drummers — a festival favorite — will once again fill the room with heart-pounding percussion and energy.
Samurai Sword Soul, a theatrical martial arts group founded by Yoshi Amao (of the award-winning FX series Shōgun), also returns with dramatic swordplay and interactive demonstrations that put you right in the action.
Other 2026 performers scheduled to appear include Junko Fujiyama, Akua Shin, Sleep & Loop, Haruka Nakashima and Video Game Alliance.
Special guest performers, Waves of Harmony (a traditional shamisen group) and HARIBOW (an award-winning, Japan-based Double Dutch performance team), will also take to the stage to round out the weekend’s live entertainment.
Product showcase: Japan meets Georgia
The festival’s product showcase is another highlight, featuring booths and interactive exhibits from JapanFest sponsors and Japanese companies. Guests can explore the latest in technology, automobiles, tractors, electronics, video games and more.
Several of the over 500 Japanese-affiliated companies based in Georgia also take part in the festival, displaying and demonstrating their products in the Japanese Businesses in Georgia (JBiG) exhibition.
The exhibits fill a spacious hall at the convention center and are a draw to kids as well as adults.
Hands-on experiences: workshops, games, crafts and shopping
While the performances and exhibits alone are worth the trip, JapanFest Atlanta gives attendees the opportunity to do more than just watch — it encourages participation.
Throughout the weekend, guests can explore traditional arts and cultural practices, including calligraphy, a food-replica craft, a tatami mat craft, ikebana flower arranging and even kimono try-ons.
Ginza Street, a festival area evoking the feel of a traditional Japanese summer festival, features authentic games, gifts and shopping, along with mizuame (candied fruit) and other snacks.
Learn your fortune with an omikuji. Often seen at Japanese shrines and temples, the omikuji is a slip of paper that reveals your fortune and offers advice. If your fortune is not so good, you can tie it to the omikuji tree, leaving your bad luck there rather than having it follow you home.
At the festival’s Children’s Area, kids of all ages can make their own Japanese crafts and toys, play games to win prizes and even take part in carrying a traditional Japanese portable shrine in the o-mikoshi parade.
Finally, with over 140 vendor booths offering an array of Japanese goods, including kimonos, Japanese tea, dolls, hand-made crafts, anime and manga goods and more, you can easily spend a whole afternoon browsing and shopping.
Japanese video game experiences and cosplayers add to the weekend’s fun.
A welcoming and accessible experience
JapanFest Atlanta organizers say they are committed to making the festival accessible and welcoming to everyone.
For the past several years, they have provided American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for the Sunday Rakugo performance. And they donate admission tickets to low-income individuals and veterans to help make the festival more accessible to our community.
This year, they are also partnering with the Gwinnett Special Needs School to further expand their accessibility efforts.
“Together, we will create a dedicated sensory room where guests can take a break from the sights and sounds of the festival,” said Kazuko Lillie, manager of JapanFest. “Teachers from the school will generously volunteer their time to help support visitors using the space.”
JapanFest will also donate more than 100 admission tickets to the special needs school.
New this year
Also new this year, JapanFest is introducing the mARbie app, available at the venue during the event.
Created by MarbleXR Inc., a Japan-based XR company specializing in augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) experiences, the app will allow attendees to “explore locations, experience AR content, take photos with digital characters and objects and create memorable interactive experiences.”
Street food, treats and sake
Of course, one of the biggest and best parts of JapanFest is the food. Last year, the Japanese Food Court & Beer Garden expanded to include more options, and this year’s festival builds on that.
From steaming bowls of ramen and savory yakisoba to sushi rolls, takoyaki, mochi and kakigōri (shaved ice), there will be something to please every palate.
A fun treat for 2026 will be the viral sushi push pops from Alpharetta’s SushiYOKO Tomato 2.
Adults will also be able to enjoy a selection of Japanese beers and sake in a relaxed, open-air setting or while taking in live performances.
Event details
JapanFest 2026 takes place September 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and September 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gas South Convention Center on Sugarloaf Parkway.
- Parking: $5 (online in advance); $10 day-of. Payment is credit or debit card only.
- Advanced tickets: $20.78 per day; $38.24 for a two-day pass (purchased online) includes the facility fee
- Children 6 and under: FREE
Group tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations looking to support the festival and gain a larger presence in the Japanese-American community.
Guests and workshop offerings are subject to change. Full event schedules, performer updates and ticket info can be found at japanfest.org.
JapanFest rules & bag policy
To create a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests, JapanFest is continuing a new bag policy that was implemented in 2025.
Approved bags include
- clear vinyl, plastic or PVC bags (12” x 6” x 12” or smaller)
- diaper bags (if accompanied by a child)
- small clutch bags
- drawstring bags (12” x 12” or smaller)
- Medically necessary items of any sizes
Suitcases, non-clear backpacks and other large bags are not allowed. Random checks may be performed by security.
Rules for cosplay, attire and weapons are also in place. Check the website for the full list.
