Japanfest may be a popular way to introduce Japanese culture to metro Atlantans, but it’s also a treat for local residents who miss their native Japan.
"My favorite part is that it’s Japan away from Japan,” said Lisa Uetsuki, who grew up in Japan and works at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. “It is just a big community get-together. Japanese people working in American companies can invite all of their colleagues and show them where they are from and get them involved in activities and demonstrations.”
The 24th annual Japanfest Atlanta will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Convention Center at Gwinnett Center. The event, presented by the Japan-America Society of Georgia, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and the Consulate General of Japan, is expected to draw more than 18,000 people.
The festival includes authentic Japanese cuisine, dance and music performances, art demonstrations and children’s activities. Martial arts presentations will include aikido, karate, kendo, kyudo and sumo.
Uetsuki organized Ginza Dori, a section of the festival designed to represent a street in Tokyo where an annual summer festival takes place. The area will have a water balloon game. The balloons float in water and paper hooks are used to try to grab them.
"A lot of children in Japan go to the festivals and try to scoop up as many as they can. [The hooks are] made of paper so it melts as they try to get the balloons out of the water pool," Uetsuki said.
Other games in the Ginza Dori area include the ring toss and hagoita -- a traditional Japanese game that is similar to badminton -- and several other games and shops with items that can be purchased along the real Ginza Dori street.
The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York will perform traditional and modern dances from various regions of the country. And NASCAR driver Akinori Ogata will show his car and sign autographs.
A festival favorite is the kimono section where folks can try on the traditional robes.
“People love to try them on because kimonos are a very special Japanese garment,” said Yoshie Brandt, chairperson of the Konnichiwa Club. “We will have all kinds and dress people and take a picture. People from all cultures looks great in a kimono.”
The Konnichiwa Club is a non-profit organization that promotes Japanese culture in the Atlanta area. Members will be on hand to write attendees names in Chinese characters that are used in Japanese language.
Additional festival highlights include a portable shrine, known as o-mikoshi. It is made of delicate wood and will be carried around the event on Sunday.
“Some people can go to Japan but some cannot, so hopefully these activities will give people a good idea of Japanese culture," said Kaz Yoshida, who helps oversee the Ginza Dori section and has participated in Japanfest activities for several years.
What: The 24th annual Japanfest Atlanta.
When: Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Convention Center at Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.
Admission: $8. Free admission for ages 6 and younger.
Further information: www.japanfest.org ; www.gwinnettcenter.com ; 404-842-1400.
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