Hai! Japantown! Saturday, August 25

Saturday, August 25 from 3:00 - 7:00 pm

Seattle’s historic Nihonmachi comes alive with festivities only an Asian-style neighborhood can claim with the return of “Hai, Japantown!” Long-time locals, Seattle newbies, area residents and visitors alike are invited to take part in discovering this vital, re-surging community during a summer celebration for the entire family. Experience an historic heritage walk, the dedication of Nihonmachi Alley art, Hawaiian music, a beer and sake garden, Spam musubi making contest, nashi (Japanese pear) picking and more. For updates, visit FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/970642499782932/?active_tab=about

Here’s the Hai! Japantown Line Up:

Momo Semi-Annual Good Fortune Sale
11:00 am – 7:00 pm
604 S Main St
It’s the fame-ish sale everyone waits for, where YOU get to determine your discount. Here’s how it works: select a sale clothing or accessory item you love from our men or women’s section, then pick a crunchy cookie stuffed with fortunes and receive an additional 10% - 30% off. Confucius say, “Smart shopper pick wisely.”

Bonfire Gallery “I Saw the Face of Hecate”
Noon – 5:00 pm
605 S Main St
A solo show of local artist Juli Adams paintings and sculpture inspired by a lifelong curiosity about darkness as an expression of self-knowledge and empowerment. Not to be missed!

DaDaDa Gallery Archival Sale
Noon – 6:00 pm
513 S Main St
Clothing, bags, accessories 40-80% off.

KOBO Mako & Mujuri Okinawa Ensemble
3:00 – 4:00 pm
602 S Jackson St
Wearing beautifully tailored kimonos, Mako & Munjuru spread Okinawan music through playing traditional instruments, the sanshin and taiko. These songs not only preserve the sound of Okinawan music, they also share stories of love, family and heritage. According to Mako, playing the music of her ancestors helps her feel a connection to her roots and the people who have come before her.

Amy Nikaitani Nihonmachi Alley Mural Dedication
3:30 pm
Between 6th Ave S and Maynard Ave S on S Jackson St north side
This ceremony will honor local Japanese American artist Amy Nikaitani with the unveiling of her murals featuring landmark businesses that undauntedly continued upon the families returning from WWII incarceration: Kokusai Theatre, Maneki Restaurant, Sagamiya Confectionery and Uwajimaya Grocers.

Japanese American Remembrance Trail Tour - SOLD OUT
4:00 pm
Starts in Chiyo’s Garden on S Jackson St between Maynard Ave S and 6th Ave S
The Wing Luke Museum in partnership with the National Park Service hosts an educational urban hike through the original Japantown, starting at Nihonmachi Alley and Chiyo’s Garden; 60-90 minutes. Comfortable walking shoes are advised. Space is limited, register online. For more information, visit wingluke.org/calendar.

Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee Presents the Jay Thomas Quartet
4:00 pm
605 S Main St
Seattle-ites may not realize that Jackson Street was once home to many jazz and blues clubs. The music returns to the Panama — deemed the 60th National Historic Landmark in 2015, and the setting for the novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet — witha visit from native son Jay Thomas, who played at The Black & Tan and other ’60s era area nightclubs. The music of Thomas, a versatile multi-instrumentalist (trumpet, flugelhorn, alto, tenor, soprano and flute) is earthy and lyrical with evidence of his deep roots in blues and swing.

Momo Fun-for-All Face & Body Painting
3:00 – 5:00 pm
600 S Jackson St
Put on the party with glitter painting by budding temporary tattoo talent, Nagisa! The affordable artistry is $5 - $10, depending on what you fancy.

KOBO Kid’s Corner: Japantown Style
Yo-Yo Water Balloon Fishing Game, Veggie Printmaking and Origami Magic
3:00 – 5:00 pm
604 S Jackson St
Join local artists Etsuko Ichikawa and Sayuri Fukuda in Yo-Yo Fishing, a favorite summer fest game where you fish for floating balloons with a paper string. There will be prizes! Try your hand at Veggie Printmaking with Susan. Make your own colorful art using lotus root, daikon, ginger and more to imprint unique designs on cloth. Learn origami with master folder, Sakiko!

Japanese Cultural Community Center of Washington Activity Time
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Storytelling at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 pm
Nihonmachi Alley on S Jackson St between Maynard Ave S and 6th Ave S
Family fun presented by the JCCCW with coloring and storytelling. Experience Kamishibai, a form of Japanese street theater, popular during post-war Japan until the advent of TV.

Live Music from Mai Pu’uwai Makana
5:30 pm
Chiyo’s Garden in alley on S Jackson St between Maynard Ave S and 6th Ave S
Kana means “Sharing the Breath of Hawaiian Music,” and that's just what this trio brings: “feel good Island music” Hawaiian/Island Reggae to the party.

Momo Spam-O-Rama Musubi Contest
6:00 pm
Chiyo’s Garden in alley on S Jackson St between Maynard Ave S and 6th Ave S
Spam fans are invited to participate or spectate during the revival of the fame-ish Spam musubi competition. Contestants create their versions of Hawaii’s favorite Spam sushi and are judged on presentation, taste and originality. Interested entrants can email lala@momoseattle.com or call 206.329.4736 by August 22 for details.

Chill in Chiyo’s Garden Party
3:00 – 7:00 pm
In alley on S Jackson St between Maynard Ave S and 6th Ave S
Kaname presents an al fresco summer 21+ lounge with DJ Maile Lono (aka DJ Maui NKO) from KBCS, live Jawaiian music (Mai Pu’uwai Makana), light bites, beer and sake. Artist Erin Shigaki gathers your wishes on traditional ema to help create a future public art installation in Occidental Square. It’s also nashi (Japanese pear) season, and revelers are invited to pick the fruit and eat it right from the tree. A pot of nashi-sauce will be cooking on the open-air patio.

KOBO Wear Your Summer Yukata!
3:00 – 7:00 pm
602 S Jackson St
Come down and wear your favorite Yukata and Obi and celebrate
Hai! Japantown. We’ll have helpers standing by to help dress you at KOBO at Higo.

Trichome’s “High! Japantown!”
3:00 – 7:00 pm
618 S Jackson St
The legalized lifestyle boutique mixes up CBD drinks with music to sip by in this 21+ event.

KOBO and Artists for Japan Hiroshima Flood Relief
3:00 – 7:00 pm
602 S Jackson St
This grassroots group will be accepting donations to be sent to a NPO in Hiroshima (to be confirmed), one of the areas severely damaged by the torrential rainfall, worst flood in decades in early July. Any amount is welcome and appreciated.

Movies in the Park in Hing Hay Park
Entertainment and the Screening of “Allegiance, the Musical”
7:20 pm – 10:30 pm
S King St and Maynard Ave S
Taiko drummers rally the neighborhood, followed by local poet Troy Osaki, and live music from Anime Creek and ukulele artist Arden Fujiwara. The film will start at dusk (approximately 8:30 pm). For more info check out https://www.facebook.com/events/200745964112156/?ti=cl