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Promoting and strengthening the friendship between the United States and Japan.
Part of the Newport–Shimoda Sister City Celebration
Saturday, October 25, 2025 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Touro Park, 5 Touro Park St W, Newport, RI 02840
Join us at Touro Park for a day of cultural exchange and family fun. Experience the thunder of taiko drums, graceful martial arts demonstrations, hands on kids’ crafts, kimono photo moments, calligraphy, origami, and delicious Japanese inspired food trucks. Meet local cultural organizations, explore vendor booths, and relax with music under the trees. This four hour community festival is free designed for all ages—come learn, taste, and play while discovering the traditions and creativity that connect Newport and Shimoda.
Made possible by a grant from Japan Foundation, New York.
Ongoing Cultural Touchpoints (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
These awesome, hands-on stations are where the whole family can play, create, and explore Japanese culture up close! All ages are welcome, and we'll have staff ready to help you out.
• Kimono/Yukata Photo Nook: Time to dress up! Try on a beautiful traditional Japanese kimono or light, breezy yukata and snap an unforgettable family photo.
• Calligraphy Name Tags: Get your name written in Japanese! See the art of Shodō (calligraphy) in action and receive your name translated into beautiful Japanese script on a keepsake name tag.
• Origami Station: Fold paper, make magic! Discover how to transform simple paper into amazing 3-dimensional shapes, creatures, and objects with easy-to-follow guidance to help you create your own shape!
Cosplay Parade & Family Costume Contest
Unleash your family's creativity at our spirited Cosplay Parade at 12:30 PM!
Attendees of all ages, including pets in costume, are invited to showcase their imaginative attire inspired by Japanese animation, manga, and pop culture. This is a marvelous opportunity for families to bond through shared passion and artistry. To enter, assemble under the large tent next to the Commodore Perry Statue. Simple prizes will be awarded across four distinct categories celebrating creativity, including Best Family/Group Theme, Most Creative Pet Costume, Most Inspired Anime/Manga Look, and the Fan's Choice. Made possible by a grant from Japan Foundation, New York.
Our Vision
Japan-America Society of Southern New England (JASNE or JAS Southern New England) is based in Rhode Island with members throughout MA/CT/RI and aims to connect and serve individuals throughout southern New England who have significant connections with or interest in Japan. JASNE offers services and activities to foster greater friendship and understanding between Japan and America at the grassroots level, including collaborating with other organizations in New England focused on Japan-America relations in their efforts and promoting their events.
JASNE started in 2018 as the Japan America Navy Friendship Association-Newport (JANAFA-Newport). The group operates under the name JANAFA-Newport for activities on Naval Station Newport aiming to connect individuals who have served in Japan, are going to serve in Japan, or have a significant connection to Japan. JANAFA-Newport arranges on-base activities that focus on connecting military members and their families together to help them prepare for future assignments in Japan or to celebrate their previous time in Japan.
Our Mission
The mission of JASNE is to promote and strengthen the US-Japan Alliance and to foster greater friendship between our countries.
We believe that the strongest alliances are built not just on policy, but on people and mutual respect. That is exactly how we plan to achieve our mission with the Japan-America Friendship Festival: by transforming Touro Park into a vibrant space for shared experience.
Through hands-on Cultural Touchpoints, we're creating a grassroots platform for mutual understanding, deepening the cultural ties that form the foundation of our enduring alliance.
Come join us as we celebrate this powerful friendship!
Get Involved
Join us in our efforts to strengthen the ties between the American and Japanese communities. Whether you have a background in the military, cultural exchange, or simply share a passion for promoting friendship between the two nations, there are various ways to engage and contribute to our cause.
Upcoming Events
Thu, Oct 23VariousThe Mayor, Newport City Council, and Newport's Sister City Commission run a multi-day Sister City Celebration with Newport’s sister city Shimoda, Japan every other year.
Sat, Oct 25NewportJoin us at Touro Park for a day of cultural exchange and family fun. Experience the thunder of taiko drums, graceful martial arts demonstrations, hands on kids’ crafts, kimono photo moments, calligraphy, origami, and delicious Japanese inspired food trucks.
Sun, Oct 26Wyndham Newport HotelThe conference will help all organizations to understand what each of us are doing, invite each other to participate in our events, promote each other's events to our members and area, and work together to strengthen the friendship between the peoples of the U.S. and Japan.