The 2025 Nisei Week Japanese Festival concluded on Aug. 17 with the Ondo Public Street Dancing and Closing Ceremony on Aug. 17 on First Street between San Pedro and Central in Little Tokyo.
The ceremony opened with a performance by L.A. Taiko Collective and L.A. Mugen Taiko.
Junko Goda served as emcee. Nisei Week Foundation President Helen Ota delivered greetings and the 2025 Nisei Week Court, including Queen Kimi Look, introduced themselves. The 2024 court was also recognized.
The dancing was preceded by a performance by Matsutoyo Kai and the introduction of the new consul general of Japan in Los Angeles, Kosei Murota.
Several community groups participated in the dancing, including L.A. Bando Ryu, San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center’s Meiji Dance Club, Nisei Week Public Ondo Dance Group/Sanjo Kabuki Dance Company, Fujima Kansuma Kai, Japanese Speaking Parents Association of with Challenges/Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program, Bando Kyo no Kai, Sun Valley Japanese Community Center, Go For Broke National Education Center, Hoshun Kai, San Fernando Valley Japanese Language Institute, Japanese American National Museum/Little Tokyo Historical Society, Boyle Heights Community Partners, The Minnies, Kotobuki no Kai, Long Beach Ondo Club, Team Kawachi Ondo/L.A. Kansai Club, Moe↗Age! from Asayoru Maid Cafe and Little Tokyo Cande Club/Skid Row-Kyo Mission.
Live music was provided by Ryujin Taiko, Rayko and Lolita Dark, Ryukyu Koten Afuso-ryu Ongaku Kenkyu Choichi Kai-L.A. Shibu, Matsutoyo Sato, Minyo Station, and Great Leap’s FandangObon Band featuring vocalists Nobuko Miyamoto, Nancy Sekizawa and Martha Gonzalez.
With Nisei Week Choreographer Bando Hidesomi leading her dancers, two songs that were featured at the parade the week before — “That’s Important” (Sore ga Daiji) and “Kawasaki Odori” — were also peformed at the Ondo.
In addition to Nisei Week mascot Aki the Akita, Rilakkuma was available for selfies. A raffle drawing was also held.