Tickets Are Now On SALE!
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Tickets Are Now On SALE! 〰️
NATSU MATSURI KC
Third Annual Natsu Matsuri KC
Natsu Matsuri(夏祭り) which translates to "summer festival" in Japanese, is an annual event that takes place across Japan in the summer months of July to September. These festivals are a celebration of Japanese culture and customs, and feature a variety of activities and performances.
Our Natsu Matsuri KC will showcase Japanese owned + related businesses, Japanese artists and organizations, traditional performances, and games such as the water balloon fishing(水ヨーヨー釣り) and the goldfish scooping(金魚すくい) and more!
Date & Event Time: August 30th (Sun) 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Merriam Marketplace
*Outdoor under a pavilion
Ticket price: $8 Pre-purchase, $10 day of the event.
Kids 12 and under enter free!
Limited Event Parking Available
This is a family & kids friendly outdoor festival. Please bring a lawn chair and/or picnic blankets to enjoy the summer weather with us! Please be prepared for potential excessive heat.
Tickets are $8 pre-event and $10 on event day. We have limited space so please get your tickets soon!
Kids 12 and under enter free!
We will have Game Passes $12 for kids 12 and under to play select games and have 1 small prize guaranteed per game. (No longer unlimited play due to line concerns.)
Single game tickets $2 will also be available for people 13+ to play games, but prizes are based on skill.
All funds raised will be directly put towards future Japanese community events hosted by Yukari KC Inc.
Note: In the unlikely event that we have to cancel Natsu Matsuri due to severe weather, all sales will be considered donations to Yukari KC to cover incurred expenses and to fund future community events. If this provides a hardship, please reach out. We thank you for your understanding!
Yukari KC is a registered 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit.
Tickets are required!
Want to support Natsu Matsuri?
If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our [Volunteer Form]
If you are Japanese owned/related business and would like to be a vendor, please fill out our [Vendor Form]
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a sponsor, please email us at info@yukarikc.org.
Performances
Our event elevates local Japanese performers. Learn more about them below!
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We are a volunteer community group with a passion for taiko, whether in the practice room or on stage. We have performed for the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival, the Independence Cherry Blossom Festival, and various Charity, Library, and Business Events. Please contact us via the form to schedule a performance.
Three Trails Taiko started in the summer of 2010 from the collaboration of some passionate taiko players from Denver Taiko and Ki-Daiko and is currently operating as a community performance taiko group.
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In 2005, Seiji Ikeda founded the Kansas State University Yosakoi Dance group, inspired by his experiences with Yosakoi dancing during his time in the JET Program. Ikeda’s initiative brought this unique dance form to the heart of Kansas, fostering a unique cultural bridge between American and international students at K-State. In 2006 and 2007, dancers from Kansas State University Yosakoi Dance group participated in the Yosakoi Soran Festival in Hokkaido, Japan, where they competed against thousands of dancers and earned several performance awards. Today, Tatsumaki Yosakoi operates from Manhattan, Kansas, with a sister team in Kansas City, continuing to spread the joy and energy of Yosakoi dancing. In 2019, the group was honored with the title of Official Yosakoi Ambassador by Kochi Prefecture, a testament to their efforts in promoting Yosakoi around the world. This accolade highlights Tatsumaki’s role in fostering global cultural exchange and understanding through dance.
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Miho Kawashita is a calligrapher from Miyazaki, Japan, now based in the Kansas City area. She was awarded the Grand Prize at the All Japan High School and University Students Calligraphy Exhibition as a student. Since moving to the United States in 2024, she has performed large-scale calligraphy demonstrations for audiences of more than 1,000 people.
In her dynamic live performance, Miho brings Shodo (書道)—the “way of the brush”—to life with a large brush, ink, and paper. She will create powerful Kanji characters inspired by Natsu Matsuri. Her fluid and rhythmic movements capture the energy, beauty, and grace of calligraphy. As Miho performs, Keiyuu Taiko (敬友太鼓) will accompany her with the powerful rhythms of Japanese Taiko.
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Keiyuu Taiko is a student-led organization at KU, founded in January 2025. Our name is a combination of the following kanji: 敬(respect) 友 (friendship) 太鼓 (big drum).We are open to members of any experience level and practice once a week.
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A one-man band, Yuya Mix is a modern folk singer/songwriter from Minnesota. His set includes a guitar and ukulele, keeping in time with his suitcase-drum and tambourine, and often mixing in either harmonica or kazoo. Inspiration for his originals come from small town life and
Japanese-American upbringing in the Midwest.
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More info to come.
Test your skills by playing our traditional festival games to win prizes! Catch the Gold fish, fish out a balloon yo-yo, or ace in ring toss!
Natsu Matsuri Games
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Goldfish scooping is a traditional Japanese game in which a player scoops goldfish with a paper scooper. It is also called "Scooping Goldfish", "Dipping for Goldfish", or "Snatching Goldfish". Kingyo means "goldfish" and sukui means "scooping". Sometimes bouncy balls are used instead of goldfish.
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Ring toss is a game where rings are tossed around a peg.
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Yo-yo balloons, also known as Yo-yo Tsuris, are a common type of water balloon found at matsuri festivals in Japan. Typically small, round, and colourful, the balloons are filled to a diameter of about 75 mm (3 in) with air and roughly 45 mL (1.6 imp fl oz; 1.5 US fl oz) of water. The balloon is clipped or tied closed and hung from an elastic string with a finger loop tied at the end. This gives them enough weight and bounce to function as a yo-yo, earning them their name.
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Shateki (usually written in Japanese as 射的) is a target-practice game in which participants shoot down targets with a paper-bullet gun. Our version uses rubber band guns.
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The Dodeka Dart Magic Ball is a fun, interactive target game. It features a large, flexible, and foldable circular target mat. The target is covered with a special felt-like material so that lightweight, velcro-style balls can easily stick to it.
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Senbonbiki has treats are attached to long pieces of string which are strung through holes. The child pulls on a piece of string, not knowing which treat it is attached to.
Vendors and Info Booths!
Huge Thank You to Our Grand Sponsors!
We Appreciate Our Kin Sponsors!
All The Love to Our Tomodachi Sponsors!
FAQ:
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YES! We encourage it regardless of ethnicity or nationality. Natsu Matsuri KC is an event that celebrate Japanese culture, and everyone is invited!
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No worries! We will be handing out general admission at the event through our registration booth. Just bring your name and order number and you’ll receive all of your admission wristbands.
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Yes! Parking is completely free. We will be guiding people to the main event grass lot parking area that is northeast of the marketplace. Parking is limited and once the lot is full, you’ll have to find street parking.
Merriam Marketplace is connected to other parks in the area through the Turkey Creek Streamway Trail. It’s a beautiful riverside trail that provide a nice walk to our event.
But, donations are always welcome!
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Game passes allow children 12 and under to play all of our games, and they are guaranteed ONE prize per game. Once their prize is redeemed, their game pass will be marked. If a child fails the challenge they automatically win a small prize.
Game tickets lets anyone play any of our games (EXCEPT SENBONBIKI) but the prize has to be earned through skill.
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No, kids are limited to one prize per game per game pass. If they want additional prizes, they must purchase a new game pass or individual game tickets.
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There is very limited seating, but people are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs and picnic set ups.
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Yes, but they must be leashed at all times.
https://www.merriam.org/Government/Departments/Parks-Rec/Parks
