A former professional sumo wrestler will headline the 28th annual Greater Kansas City Japan Festival when it returns to Johnson County Community College in Overland Park on Oct. 3.
The one-day festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at JCCC's main campus, 12345 College Blvd. This year's theme is sumo. The marquee attraction is Tatsuosho, a former professional sumo wrestler from Japan, performing alongside the Houston-based Shōgeki Sumo Team, according to the festival's website.
Sumo demonstrations are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Yardley Hall. The 45-minute shows include live taiko drumming and audience participation, with select festivalgoers getting the chance to test their skills against the wrestlers.
A sumo panel lecture follows at 1 p.m. in Polsky Theatre, and a meet-and-greet is set for 4:15 p.m. in the MTC Courtyard.
The festival, co-hosted by the Heart of America Japan-America Society (HAJAS) and JCCC, has drawn more than 100,000 cumulative attendees since it launched in 1997 at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Johnson County Post reported. The event moved to JCCC's campus in 2004.
J-Pop singer Aya Uchida, from Kyoto, Japan, returns to the festival stage at 2:10 p.m. in Yardley Hall. She will be accompanied by Kansas City musician Jo Yamanaka on guitar.
Local ensemble Three Trails Taiko will open and close the day with taiko drumming.
Beyond the headline acts, the schedule includes martial arts demonstrations, origami classes, a Japanese bazaar and a traditional tea ceremony. Paid add-on workshops cover kintsugi (Japanese gold-repair pottery), calligraphy, koinobori (carp streamer making for children), Japanese poetry and woodblock printing.
According to Karen Miller, director of Global Engagement at JCCC, the festival connects classroom learning with hands-on cultural experiences for students. JCCC journalism students earned media credentials at the 2025 festival and covered the event as working reporters.
Their photographs later won recognition at state and national student journalism competitions. Floral design students have competed in the festival's ikebana competition. Electronics technology students once restored a vintage pachinko machine for display at the event.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $18 for youth ages 6-18 and free for children 5 and under. JCCC students pay $8 with a valid student ID. Tickets are available online at kcjapanfestival.org and at the Midwest Trust Center box office on the day of the event.
Upcoming community events
- Oct. 3: 28th annual Greater Kansas City Japan Festival, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., JCCC, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park
