The 2026 Nisei Week Japanese Festival ended on Aug. 23 with the Closing Ceremony and Street Ondo on First Street in Little Tokyo.
With Junko Goda and James Okazaki serving as emcees on the yagura, speakers included 2026 Nisei Week Foundation President Helen Ota, Japan Airlines Vice President and Regional Manager Linus Lee, and 2027 Nisei Week Foundation Co-presidents Sarah Fukui and Sara Hutter.
The 2026 Nisei Week Court was introduced: Queen Kara Kimiko Chu, First Princess Ai Grace Kusayanagi, Miss Tomodachi Jacqueline Fujiko Naito, Princess Emiliy Kaori Gruhn, Princess Meagan Sueko Pham, Princess Kailah Julianne Tokushige, and Princess Deena Maiko Umeda. The 2025 court was also recognized.
Performers included L.A. Taiko Collective, Ryujin Taiko, Yosakoi San Diego, and Team Kawachi Ondo/L.A. Kansai Club.
Pop singer Rayko Takahashi performed “Sunset Road,” “Big City Girl Ondo” and the classic “Ue o Muite Arukou,” also known as “Sukiyaki.”
Nobuko Miyamoto , Atomic Nancy and the Fandango Obon Band introduced a new song, “120,000 Stories,” dedicated to Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II, and also performed “Banbutsu no Tsunagari” and “Mottainai,” which have become Obon standards.
The popular bear character Rilakkuma was on hand for photo ops.
Dance groups participating in the ondo:
L.A. Bando Ryu
2026 and 2025 Nisei Week Courts
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 Children 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 volunteers and staff
Little Tokyo Historical Society
Boyle Heights Community Partners
The Minnies
Kotobuki no Kai
Long Beach Ondo Club
Little Tokyo Dance Club
Skid Row-Kyo Mission
Team Kawachi Ondo
L.A. Kansai Club
