The Japan-America Society of DFW (JASDFW) welcomed more than 18,000 attendees to Haggard Park for the 2026 Otsukimi Japanese Moon Viewing Festival, setting a new attendance record for the annual celebration. The event, held in Plano, featured welcoming remarks by Mayor John Muns and highlighted the deepening cultural ties between North Texas and Japan. This record turnout signals a growing appetite for Japanese culture in the region and positions the festival as a major community event.
One of the evening's most anticipated guests was Emi Lo, an acclaimed anime English voice actress known for her work in popular series including The Apothecary Diaries. Fans gathered at the Main Stage for a special appearance and screening by Lo, underscoring the rising influence of Japanese pop culture in the United States. The festival also showcased traditional Japanese culture with powerful taiko drumming by Dallas Kiyari Daiko and multiple sumo wrestling demonstrations by the Dallas Sumo Club, which drew large crowds and cheers.
The entertainment lineup included a classic anime Ghibli songs concert by Nova Pangea, energetic dance performances by Okinawa Eisa Ryukyu-damashii and Lonestar Yosakoi, the Dallas Cherry Blossom Children's Chorus, and a live J-pop performance by Sallad, who closed with a song from The Apothecary Diaries. Beyond performances, thousands explored Japanese and Asian cuisine, a bustling marketplace of artists and vendors, anime and pop-culture experiences, traditional children's games, and hands-on activities such as calligraphy, flower arranging, and tea ceremony.
The festival's success was made possible through community support, volunteers, performers, vendors, partners, and sponsors. JASDFW recognized Toyota as its Community Impact Partner, along with key sponsors including EZ On Coat, SpotOn, H-E-B, Kawai, 7-Eleven, NEC, i Fratelli Pizza, Dimaco, Art Centre of Plano, The Original Pancake House DFW, Crunchyroll, The Time Group, and FC Dallas. Event photos are available View Event Photos.
The 27th Annual Otsukimi Japanese Moon Viewing Festival continued JASDFW's mission of strengthening friendship and understanding between Japanese and Americans by creating opportunities for North Texans to experience Japanese culture firsthand. With more than 18,000 attendees in 2026, Otsukimi has grown into the region's largest public celebration of Japanese culture and a signature community event for the Japan-America Society of DFW. This growth reflects a broader trend of increasing interest in Japanese culture and highlights the importance of cultural exchange in fostering international relationships. For more information, visit www.jasdfw.org.
