With the cheerful beat of taiko drums, lyrical tunes of traditional Japanese music and carnival foods from the Land of the Rising Sun, the Guam Japan Festival is back April 11!

Harumatsuri is a Japanese traditional festival to welcome the arrival of spring. In previous years, a local group of Japanese companies and individuals hosted the celebration in autumn as an Akimatsuri “autumn festival” every year since 1970 at Ypao Beach Park in November. Last year, the festival moved to spring, as the club wanted to avoid the fall typhoon season.

With the success of last year’s spring festival, which attracted many participants from the local community, tourists and the U.S. military, organizers have chosen “Tsunagu (connect) – Full Bloom” as this year’s theme, wishing the event will continue to bring people in Guam together with the image of Sakura, a symbol of spring.

“Spring symbolizes new beginnings, and we believe it will bring a fresh and vibrant energy to our beloved festival,” said Rui Miyamori, a public affairs officer with the Japan Club of Guam.

This annual festival originally started as a small Japanese community event to show their children a typical traditional Japanese festival and culture. It has grown year after year, and today is considered the island’s largest annual festival – enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The event attracts more than 37,000 people every year, according to the organizers. Partial proceeds go to the Japanese International Academy of Guam.

The festival is scheduled to run from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Governor Joseph Flores Beach Park (Ypao Beach Park) on April 11. The first half will be dedicated to family-friendly activities. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the event will feature live performances and alcohol sales for adults.

Visitors will get a rare glimpse into the Japanese festival culture, including bon odori dancing, mikoshi (portable shrine)-carrying and plenty of games and food booths. Performances scheduled include Japanese folk dancing, Aikido and sword-fighting demonstrations, wadaiko drum performances and a tuna filleting event.

Don’t miss yakisoba stir-fried noodles, yakitori skewered chicken and other Japanese festival foods.

Tickets will be sold in groups of 10 for $10 each. Money cannot be used at the booths, only tickets. Organizers recommend purchasing tickets in advance at the Japan Club of Guam in Pier Marine, Japanese International Academy of Guam and Tokyo Mart in Tamuning or online.

Parking is available at Freedom Park and John F. Kennedy High School. A free shuttle service will operate from 2:45 p.m.-10:15 p.m.

There are plenty of fun activities planned for the entire family, so make plans to attend the Guam Japan Festival!

44th Guam Japan Festival – Harumatsuri (Spring Festival)

• Hours: April 11, 3 -9:30 p.m.

• Location: Ypao Beach Park

• Phone: (671) 646-8066 (The Japan Club of Guam)

• Website

* Japan Club of Guam is seeking sponsors, venders, and performers. For more information, contact the office or email at office@guamjpc.org.

Advance Tickets

*Sold in groups of 10 for $10 each

Get your tickets in advance to avoid a long line at the ticket booth. You can buy tickets at

• Japan Club of Guam or Pier Marine [1st floor] (Till April 10, Mon., Tue., Thu. and Fri., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

• Japanese International Academy of Guam (Till April 10, Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Cash Only)

• Tokyo Mart in Tamuning (April 6 – 10, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

Online Ticket

Stage and field events you won’t want to miss

- First Half

3 p.m.: Opening

3:15 p.m.: Chorus “Sakura Sakura” and “Niji”

3:25 p.m.: Folk Dance “StarMine”

3:35 p.m.: Jump rope performance (by students of Japanese International Academy)

3:50 p.m.: Japanese Folk Dance Kids Troupe

4:02 p.m.: Team Bark (sword-fighting performance)

4:17 p.m.: Guam Wadaiko Juku Dolphin Jump (Wadaiko performance)

4:37 p.m.: MoreYouRhythm (dance by seniors)

4:52 p.m.: Guam Aikido (Aikido demonstration)

- Second Half

5:30 p.m.: Opening performance (Guam Wadaiko Juku Dolphin Jump and Guma Taotao Tano), National Anthems, messages from event sponsors and VIP remarks Kagamiwari (sake barrel breaking) ceremony

6:15 p.m.: Mikoshi Parade and Bon Odori dancing

6:45 p.m.: Tuna filleting show

7 p.m.: Japanese folk dance and Bon Odori (Japanese Folk Dance Kids Troupe)

7:30 p.m.: Team bark (sword-fighting performance)

7:40 p.m.: MoreYouRhythm (dance by seniors)

7:55 p.m.: Guam Wadaiko Juku Dolphin Jump (wadaiko performance)

8:25 p.m.: Mikoshi Parade and Bon Odori dancing (by Kosaikai)

9:20 p.m.: Closing Remarks