We are excited to announce the Grand Opening of Japanese Hall will be Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Hall’s location on the Legacy of the Plains Museum campus in Gering. All activities at the Museum will be free of charge that day. All times are Mountain Daylight Time.
The schedule of events is below:
9 a.m. Legacy of the Plains Museum and grounds open (free)
10 a.m. Japanese Hall Ribbon Cutting
10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Family activities (origami, samurai helmets, calligraphy, games) (Outside)
11 a.m.: Omaha Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) dance troupe (Outside)
Noon: Lunch and Learn lecture: Early Japanese Settlers on the High Plains, 1900–1940, Julie Ushio, Main Hall
1 pm.: Koto performance and demonstration, Tomoko Shepherd, Main Hall
1 p.m. Martial Arts of Medieval Japan, demonstrated and taught by Mugen Dojo, Omaha (Outside)
2 p.m. Denver Buddhist Temple Minyo Folk Dance Troupe (Outside)
3 pm. Denver Taiko Drum troupe performance and demonstrations (Outside)
4 p.m. festival closes.
5:30 p.m. Celebration and banquet, Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St., Gering. (Reservations required).
Since 2015, the Japanese Hall and History Project, with Legacy of the Plains has planned, relocated and renovated the hall and exhibits including a look at the early Issei migration to the U.S. and to the High Plains; their livelihoods in business and agriculture; coping with racism and prejudice; experiences during WWII and other military operations; cultural, artistic and athletic activities; the current and future state of Japanese Americans in the High Plains. Most items in the exhibits have been donated to the museum by families. These items include heirloom dolls, clothing, dinnerware, books, paper goods, and photographs.
Make hotel reservations now as availability is limited
If you are planning to attend, make your hotel/motel reservations as soon as possible. The Nebraska Cattlemen’s Ball, a large event that raises funds for cancer research, is the same weekend in Scotts Bluff County. This event attracts many, and hotel rooms may be difficult to book. A list of Scotts Bluff County hotels can be found here.
Nearby accommodations may be available in Alliance (53 miles); Kimball (41 miles); Sidney (73 miles); Oshkosh (76 miles) and Torrington, Wyoming (35 miles).
Tickets? Click on the Book Now button this page and select the Japanese Hall Grand Opening tile. You can order your tickets from there.
For more information or to learn more about how to donate to the Japanese Hall Project, please email inquiries to japanesehall@legacyoftheplains.org.