Experience Japan
Sat., Sun. & Mon., September 5, 6 & 7, 2026
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Included with paid museum admission; free for members
Schedule of Activities
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Japan through dynamic cultural performances, interactive workshops, and curator talks!
Supported by the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix and the Japanese Culture Club of Arizona
Programming supported in part by the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts
Space is limited; all activities are first come, first served.
Craft: Shamisen
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Make your own shamisen craft and pluck along to the day’s performances!
Photo Booth
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Pop-Up Shinobue Performance: Ken Koshio
9:30–9:45 a.m.
Central El Río
Enjoy the bright, airy melodies of the traditional shinobue flute.
Made possible through the generosity of K2 Enterprise, LLC
Shamisen Performance: Sho Asano
10:45–11:15 a.m.
North El Río
Enjoy the percussive sound of the Tsugaru shamisen performed by an internationally touring Japanese musician and member of the Tsugaru Shamisen Hall of Fame.
Youth-Led Tour: Junior Museum Guides
11:30 a.m.–noon, 12:45–1:15 p.m.
Orientation Gallery
Explore Japanese instruments and the Japanese diaspora with MIM’s Junior Museum Guides!
Youth-Led Taiko Workshop: Junior Museum Guides
11:30 a.m.–noon, 12:45–1:15 p.m.
Event Room 3
Learn to play a taiko drum and make some noise with MIM’s Junior Museum Guides!
Koto Demonstration & Talk: Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto
12:15–12:45 p.m.
Event Room 2
Listen to the graceful sounds of the koto while exploring the Japanese American experience during World War II in this intimate discussion and demonstration from a San Francisco-based musician.
Taiko Performance: Ken Koshio
1:15–2:00 p.m.
North El Río
Join the local musician for an exhilarating celebration of taiko, the Japanese American drumming tradition that blends cultural heritage and high-energy performance.
Made possible through the generosity of K2 Enterprise, LLC
Odori Dance Workshop: Suzuyuki Kai
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Event Room 2
Learn a traditional Japanese odori dance with this Tucson-based dance school led by Mari Kaneta Suzuyuki.
Traditional Dance Performance: Suzuyuki Kai
3:30–4:00 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy a performance of traditional Japanese dance that highlights cultural heritage, discipline, and beauty through elegant costuming, storytelling, and synchronicity.
Space is limited; all activities are first come, first served.
Craft: Shamisen
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Make your own shamisen craft and pluck along to the day’s performances!
Photo Booth
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Pop-Up Shinobue Performance: Ken Koshio
9:30–9:45 a.m.
Central El Río
Enjoy the bright, airy melodies of the traditional shinobue flute in this pop-up performance.
Made possible through the generosity of K2 Enterprise, LLC
Shamisen Performance: Sho Asano
10:45–11:15 a.m.
North El Río
Enjoy the percussive sound of the Tsugaru shamisen performed by an internationally touring Japanese musician and member of the Tsugaru Shamisen Hall of Fame.
Youth-Led Tour: Junior Museum Guides
11:30 a.m.–noon, 12:45–1:15 p.m.
Orientation Gallery
Explore Japanese instruments and the Japanese diaspora with MIM’s Junior Museum Guides!
Youth-Led Taiko Workshop: Junior Museum Guides
11:30 a.m.–noon, 12:45–1:15 p.m.
Event Room 3
Learn to play a taiko drum and make some noise with MIM’s Junior Museum Guides!
Koto Demonstration & Talk: Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto
12:15–12:45 p.m.
Event Room 2
Listen to the graceful sounds of the koto while exploring the Japanese American experience during World War II in this intimate discussion and demonstration from a San Francisco-based musician.
Taiko Performance: Ken Koshio
1:15–2:00 p.m.
North El Río
Join the local musician for an exhilarating celebration of taiko, the Japanese American drumming tradition that blends cultural heritage and high-energy performance.
Made possible through the generosity of K2 Enterprise, LLC
Obon Dance & Chant Workshop: Odaiko Sonora
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Event Room 2
Learn a fun Obon-style dance and chant from this Tucson-based taiko group.
Asian Americana Performance: Lisa Kori
3:30–4:00 p.m.
North El Río
Hear folk and Americana reimagined through the Santa Fe-based songwriter’s Japanese and Chinese heritage.
Space is limited; all activities are first come, first served.
Craft: Shamisen
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Make your own shamisen craft and pluck along to the day’s performances!
Photo Booth
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Shamisen Performance: Sho Asano
10:45–11:15 a.m.
North El Río
Enjoy the percussive sound of the Tsugaru shamisen performed by an internationally touring Japanese musician and member of the Tsugaru Shamisen Hall of Fame.
Short Films & Q&A: Works of Lisa Kori
12:15–12:45
Event Room 2
Watch a collection of short films about an Asian American musician’s search for her missing musical heritage.
Presented by the Japanese Culture Club of Arizona
Taiko Performance: Ken Koshio
1:15–2:00 p.m.
North El Río
Join the local musician for an exhilarating celebration of taiko, the Japanese American drumming tradition that blends cultural heritage and high-energy performance.
Made possible through the generosity of K2 Enterprise, LLC
Taiko Workshop: Ken Koshio
2:30–3:00 p.m.
Event Room 2
Join a hands-on and energetic taiko drumming workshop!
Made possible through the generosity of K2 Enterprise, LLC
J-Rock Performance: Surfing Godzillas
3:30–4:00 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy an exciting performance of retro Japanese rock.
Lunch at Café Allegro
Offered daily 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a menu of delicious global cuisine with fresh entrées, salads, soups, and grill items showcasing local produce and flavors from around the world.
Programming supported in part by
City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture
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