Asunción CityParaguay travel guide
EncarnaciónHoracio Cambeiro · CC BY-SA 4.0
Heritage communities

Natsumatsuri, Encarnación Japanese Summer Festival

Taiko, dances and Japanese food on a summer night hosted by Encarnación’s Nikkei (Japanese-descendant) community.

A Saturday in late summer, from 7 p.m. (2026: Saturday, February 28, at the Encarnación Japanese Association, Pacu Cuá neighborhood). Check the date before you go each year.February, March
Directions

What it is

The Encarnación Japanese Association celebrates its summer festival with traditional dances to the beat of taiko drums, stalls selling yakitori, takoyaki, sushi, yakisoba and okonomiyaki, Japanese sweets, and games for kids such as goldfish scooping. In 2026 there were more than 50 food and game stalls, and the festival marked 90 years of Japanese immigration to Paraguay. It’s a family event that shows the weight of Japanese immigration in Itapúa, where colonies such as Pirapó and La Paz have a strong Nikkei presence.

What to see and do

  • Bon odori dances and taiko drums
  • Homestyle Japanese cooking
  • Traditional games for kids

Tips

In 2026 entry cost ₲10,000 in advance and ₲15,000 at the door. You can bring chairs, tables and a cooler. Arrive early for the food and pair it with a sunset stroll along the Encarnación waterfront.

Dates may shift to the nearest weekend.

What to see

Encarnación

Encarnación · Itapúa

Encarnación

The Pearl of the South: riverfront promenade, river beaches, carnival and the perfect base for the Jesuit missions.

Festivals and events here

Verified · sep 2026

Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 2 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.

Sources (2)