Bainbridge Island Mochi Tsuki

Jan 19, 2026 @ 3:18 pm

Seattle waterfront skyline featuring the Space Needle and Great Wheel ferris wheel, viewed through a ferry window across Elliott Bay.

A group of people gathered outdoors watching a young man wearing a headband demonstrate mochi pounding with large wooden mallets (kine) at what appears to be a traditional mochitsuki event.

A taiko drummer in a red and black vest performs with large wooden bachi sticks on a traditional Japanese drum during a group performance.

A taiko drummer wearing traditional black and bronze performance attire plays a large wooden drum with wooden bachi sticks during a performance.

A man wearing a headband pours water into a traditional stone mortar (usu) during a mochi-pounding demonstration as a crowd watches outdoors.

Last weekend we took the ferry to Bainbridge Island to see a Mochi Tsuki event. I read about the history of Japanese immigrants on Bainbridge island. I saw people making mochi, a taiko drummer group, and traditional dances. It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot. Definitely recommend this event!