The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth has announced that Kawai Piano Gallery Dallas will serve as the official Cultural Pavilion Sponsor for the 2026 Otsukimi Japanese Moon Viewing Festival. The free community event is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Haggard Park, 901 E. 15th Street in downtown Plano.
The annual festival, which celebrates the Japanese tradition of moon viewing, draws thousands of North Texas residents for an evening of cultural exchange under the autumn moon. Attendees can expect Japanese music, traditional dance, taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, sumo exhibitions, cultural activities, children's programming, anime and pop-culture experiences, and a variety of Japanese, American, and Asian food offerings. As the Cultural Pavilion Sponsor, Kawai Piano Gallery Dallas will support a key area of the festival dedicated to introducing attendees to Japanese traditions, arts, and cultural experiences.
The sponsorship underscores Kawai's commitment to music as a universal language that bridges generations and cultures. ‘Kawai Piano Gallery is honored to take part in the Otsukimi event as a Cultural Pavilion sponsor,’ said a company representative. ‘Music has always been a bridge between cultures, and the piano in particular has long connected Japan and the world. As a company rooted in Japanese craftsmanship now serving the North Texas community, we see Otsukimi as a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the ties between our communities through music and shared cultural appreciation. We look forward to celebrating that connection with everyone who attends.’
Founded in Japan in 1927, Kawai is approaching its 100th anniversary in 2027. For nearly a century, the company has combined traditional Japanese craftsmanship with innovation to produce acoustic, digital, and hybrid pianos for students, families, educators, and professional musicians worldwide. Kawai Piano Gallery Dallas, located in Plano, serves the North Texas community with a selection of grand, upright, digital, and hybrid pianos, along with expert guidance for families, teachers, schools, churches, studios, and performers. The gallery also houses the growing Kawai Music School, which offers piano and voice lessons for students of various ages and levels, with instructors fluent in Japanese, Korean, English, and Persian/Farsi. Additional instruments and programs are planned as the school expands.
Kawai's involvement in the Otsukimi Festival highlights the natural connection between Japanese cultural heritage and music education. Through its sponsorship, the company will help create a space where festival attendees can learn, participate, and experience the arts as part of a broader celebration of friendship between Japan and North Texas. ‘We are grateful to Kawai Piano Gallery Dallas for investing in the Cultural Pavilion and helping us create an engaging, educational experience for festival guests,’ said Grant Ogata, President of the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth. ‘Kawai's Japanese heritage, commitment to artistic excellence, and dedication to music education make the company a natural partner for this celebration. Its participation will help us introduce more North Texas families to the richness of Japanese culture while strengthening the friendship between Japan and the United States.’
Otsukimi, which translates to ‘moon viewing,’ is a centuries-old Japanese tradition of gathering with loved ones to appreciate the autumn moon and express gratitude for the season. The North Texas festival provides a family-friendly outdoor setting for the community to experience this tradition through performances, cultural demonstrations, activities, and food. The event is free and open to the public, hosted by the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering friendship and understanding between Japanese and Americans in North Texas. For more information about Kawai Piano Gallery Dallas, visit https://kawaius.com/store/dallas.
