Every year, Nikkei communities around the world gather together for fun cultural activities and food. These matsuri (festivals) often celebrate specific occasions such as Tanabata and Obon. Major cultural festivals are also organized annually by local organizations such as the Nisei Week Japanese Festival (Los Angeles), the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, Chicago’s Ginza Holiday Cultural Festival, Festival do Japão (Brazil), Matsuri AELU (Peru), and the Powell Street Festival (Vancouver).

Discover Nikkei compiled photos to share our global Nikkei community’s matsuri traditions. 

We recommend you use the slideshow view to check out the photos shared by our Nima-kai community.

*Presented in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum’s 2021 Natsumatsuri Virtual Family Festival on August 14, 2021 and the 2021 Nisei Week Virtual Experience on Saturday, August 14.