Marking its 15th year in running, the Japan Festival has cemented its popularity as a cultural interchange event for the local Japanese and Australian community.
Joining popular festival food stalls are 110 other stalls bringing you cultural exhibits and workshops, elaborate handicraft and manga and anime stalls. Immerse yourself in a tea ceremony demonstration or try your hand at traditional Japanese board games or origami. Maybe you’ll pick up a new hobby? With various music, dance and martial arts performances happening on stage as well, you’ll be wondering what you should do next!
The highlight of the day will definitely be the kimono, cosplay and children’s drawing contests. Garnering popularity year after year, the drawing contest in particular has attracted over 400 entries this time round!
As for the top notch raffle prizes, there’ll be Return Trip to Japan valued at $3600. Consolation prizes include a Janome computerised sewing machine, Yamaha headphone and so much more! With such spectacular prizes, you’d want to buy more than one ticket! Good luck!
Raffle tickets ($2) can be pre-purchases at the JIM Office, but winning tickets are only valid if presented on the day of the festival. Tickets will be deemed void otherwise.
On an average, more than 5000 people attend this event yearly. With such a great turnout each year, it is up to the 150 volunteers who make this festival a success. If you require assistance on the day, be sure to speak to someone wearing a bright yellow vest.
For those who want to experience something new or relive that bit of Japan, get yourselves ready and prepare yourselves for one of the biggest ethic festivals happening right here in Melbourne!
Date: 18 May, 10:00am-5:00pm (Doors open 9:30am)
Venue: Box Hill Town Hall & Box Hill TAFE, 1000-1022 Whitehorse Rd (Melway: 47 D9)
Admission: General public $5 (Full fee for Kimono/Yukata wearers), Free for children up to Grade 6, disabled persons (+1 attendant) & Seniors Card Holders
Website: jcv-au.org/japanfestival/
