The Japan Festival is located in Hermann Park, typically adjacent to the Japanese Garden near downtown Houston.

[2] Gondo originally conceived the idea of holding a potential "Japan Festival" in Hermann Park as a way to showcase and publicize the new Japanese Garden.

[2] He presented his festival concept to Houston Mayor Bob Lanier and the city government, who granted him permission to hold the event in Hermann Park.

[1] Glen Gondo continued to lead and organize the festival for many years.

In addition to commercial, merchandise and food booths, there were demonstrations for sumo wrestling, and on the main stage there were other activities including Taiko drumming, and performances by artists like the Minyo Crusaders.