Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2013

JAFA's Kodomo no hi Japan Festival is the biggest Japan festival in Adelaide with a 18-year history. Last year the event was attended by up to 5000 people. The day is filled with Japan-related performances, exhibitions, activities, stalls and plenty of Japanese food.

Come along for a fun day for the whole family at this unique community event.

Event Information

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More information available at the Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival website

Pictures from Last year’s event

Japanese Taiko Drumming

Mochi Tsuki

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Japanese Bonsai

Kendo

Japanese Food Stalls including Ika-yaki

Japanese Origami

Plum Blossoms at Bairin Koen

Bairin Koen in Gifu City is a famous spot for plum blossoms in Japan. The name Bairin Koen (梅林公園) means “plum grove park” and it certainly lives up to its name with 50 different types of ume or plum blossoms and around 1300 plum trees. About 700 of the trees have white blossoms with the other 600 with red/pink blossoms.

The park was originally a private estate until it passed into the hands of Gifu City, where it was expanded and made into a public park.

The earliest plum blossoms begin blooming in mid-January, with the majority usually reaching their full blossom in late February or early March. The Gifu Ume Matsuri is held around that time in the park on the first Saturday and Sunday of March. It features music, dancing and lots of street vendors selling all kinds of fabulous Japanese festival food.

Close up of the Pink Plum Blossoms

Pink Plum Blossoms

More Pink Plum Blossoms

Close up of the White Plum Blossoms

White Plum Blossoms

Plum Blossom Grove

A point of interest is the park is home to a D51 steam locomotive, which is popular with kids both big and small.

D51 Steam Locomotive

Information

Wadaiko Japanese Drumming

Wadaiko (和太鼓) is a term used to describe a traditional style of Japanese drumming or drums. The name comes from the Japanese words “Wa” meaning Japanese and “Taiko” meaning drum. They are often played at Japanese festivals and events and require tremendous skill and endurance.

The sound of the drums is very dynamic and thunderous and can be felt deep down in your soul. The drummers traditionally wear a “happi” festival jacket when performing.

Performance at Olinda Hanami Day

Wadaiko Drum

Here is a video of a Wadaiko performance at the recent Olinda Hanami Day

Japan Festivals August 2012

Summer in Japan is the time for festivals and August is one of the hottest months for Japanese festivals and events with lots happening around the country. The hot weather is the perfect excuse to head outdoors and enjoy these spectacular events.

Some of the big festivals and events include:

Summer Activities in Japan

Summer is the time for festivals, food and fireworks in Japan. The white winter landscape has been covered in lush greenery with the sounds of cicadas shrilling and furin (wind chimes) blowing in the breeze.

The weather is hot and sticky, which is perfect for the summer festivals.

A few of my favourite summer activities in Japan

Kodomo no hi Japan Festival

JAFA's Kodomo no hi Japan Festival is the biggest Japan festival in Adelaide with a 17-year history. Last year the event was attended by up to 5000 people.

The day is filled with Japan-related performances, exhibitions, activities, stalls and plenty of Japanese food. 

Come along for a fun day for the whole family at this unique community event.

Inaugural World Tea Farms Festival

The Inaugural World Tea Farms Festival is a must see event you should schedule in to your calendar for March. It’s a 2 Day Festival celebrating tea from around the world. There will be tea from 30 tea farms including tea from India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. The tea from Japan will feature tea from Wazuka, Shizuoka, Yame, Kyoto, Nara and many more.

The event will be held on Saturday March 10th – Sunday March 11th from 10am to 4pm.

Frankston Japanese Festival

The Frankston Japanese Festival is on Saturday, 25 February on Kananook Creek Boulevard from 11am – 5pm.


The festival will mark the 30th anniversary of Frankston’s sister city link with Susono. Susuno is located 175km south-west of Tokyo in Shizuoka Prefecture.


The highlights of the festival will include:

Setsubun

Image by siren7

Today, February 3rd is Setsubun no hi (節分の日) which marks the start of the spring season risshun(立春) in Japan. The word Setsubun literally means a division of the seasons. Setsubun no hi is not an official national holiday, but it is celebrated in ways meant to drive away evil spirits and bad luck and bring in good luck.

Melbourne Japanese Summer Festival 2012

The Melbourne Japanese Summer Festival is on at the Docklands on Saturday, February 11th from 4-8pm. Summer Festivals are popular annual events throughout Japan and now you have the chance to experience one here in Melbourne.

Admission to the festival is free and will showcase a number of performances including Dances, Taiko Drumming, Shamisen and Sumo. The festival will be packed with a wide range of stalls with traditional Japanese games, activities and food including Sushi, Okonomiyaki, Japanese Bento and Japanese Beer.

Why Visit Japan in 2012

http://ciracar.com/beautiful-japan-part-2

Japan has had a rough 2011, with the March earthquake and tsunami disaster hurting tourist numbers, but Japan is the place to visit in 2012.


Why visit Japan in 2012?

Picture of Week Festival Floats in Takayama

This is one of the four famous yatai or festival floats, displayed at the Takayama Yatai Kaikan (Festival Floats Exhibition Hall).

The yatai, some of which date from the 17th century, are spectacular creations with flamboyant carvings, metalwork and lacquerwork.

The hall is 800 yen to enter and is open from 8am to 5pm.