Chance to embrace best of Japan
TOWNSVILLE will get a little slice of Japanese culture at a festival being held for the first time in five years this weekend.
Australia Japan Society North Queensland president Emi Miyoshi said Japan Day used to be held annually but had lapsed about five years ago.
“At the moment it’s summer in Japan and traditionally in summer there are a lot of festivals,” she said.
“So this is us having a festival to celebrate Japanese culture.
“I hope it feels like a mini Japan in Townsville.”
The day will feature Japanese food, cosplay, calligraphy, martial arts displays, a sushi demonstration and various cultural performances.
Ms Miyoshi, a Japanese teacher originally from Tokyo, has been living in Townsville for five years and said the society’s committee had been trying to create more Japanese events in the city over the past year.
“I’m lucky to have a lot of volunteers helping to put this together,” she said. “This is a chance for Australians to learn more about Japanese culture.”
One art form that will be on display is taiko drumming, which Ms Miyoshi said was becoming popular in North Queensland.
Japan Day will be held at the Riverside Gardens Community Centre in Douglas from 11.30am to 5pm on Saturday.