Readers of the site may know that I lived in Japan for a few years. Thus, it would stand to reason that we really enjoy going to JapanFest each year. It’s being held September 17 and 18 at Gas South Convention Center in Duluth, Georgia. We were thinking the other day about people who don’t have an affinity for Japanese culture. Why would they want to come to JapanFest? What could they possibly get out of it?
JapanFest has become one of our annual go-to events for the family. It wasn’t always that way. I’m skeptical of anything that has ‘fest’ or ‘apalooza’ at the end of it, as I channel my inner Heinz Doofenshmirtz and create a JapanCulture-inator. JapanFest is great fun for the entire family on so many levels and it happens at Infinite Energy Center September 17 and 18.
This is a festival designed to celebrate Japanese culture. What is great about JapanFest, and quite surprising from our perspective was how accurate it is as presenting it. I was also surprised at how much fun my wife and children had. It was kind of a given that I would love it, having lived in Fukuoka, Japan for two years. The curve ball was how much fun the kids had, interacting with some cosplay, watching the presentations or looking at the various things for sale.
At JapanFest 2016, for the first time ever they will have a Kabuki exhibition. Anime and voice over legend Kyle Hebert will also be present for questions and autographs. Hebert’s vocal work in Naruto, DragonBall-Z, Pokemon and others is well known by American audiences.
Do you like Samurai or sumo? They’ll be represented at JapanFest too. We’re most excited about a presentation called Shimasen Rock. This instrument is a three stringed wonder that makes the most magical sound. A close second is watching people play the Koto, which is the large ‘harp’, that is lying down. There is also a very large Anime area with product that you’ll only see at conferences or trade shows like this.
JapanFest has the best food court for Japanese food you will ever find. Ever. Walking through the food court is as close to eating at a yataii that you’ll come to in the U.S. We ate okonomiyaki, a dish that’s rarely served at most Japanese restaurants, and this fast version was as good as we’ve eaten.
They’ve got vendors from lots of Japanese companies, tractors (hello Kuboto!), a stage where they’ll introduce festivals or traditions and lots more. If Japan is Greek to you you’ll be OK at JapanFest. It’s fun, accessible to everyone and a real hoot for the entire family.
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