Celebrate 50 Years of Japan in Georgia at JapanFest Atlanta 2024

Experience Japan like never before at this year’s JapanFest Atlanta and celebrate 50+ years of friendship between Georgia and Japan!

Held on September 21-22, 2024, from 10am to 6pm (Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday) at the Gas South Convention Center, JapanFest Weekend 2024 offers a fun time for everyone, as visitors can enjoy a wide array of performances, presentations, exhibits, and authentic cuisine that will entertain, educate, and delight.

Photo byCourtesy of JapanFest

The State of Georgia opened its first international office in Tokyo in 1973 to promote trade and tourism, followed by the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta being established a year later in 1974. Now, Georgia and Japan share a sister state-prefecture relationship and 10 sister city connections. Georgia is also regarded as the center of Japanese business activities in the Southeastern United States as over 600 Japanese-affiliated companies have invested over $10.4 billion. These companies together employ nearly 40,000 workers state-wide, and with more than 50 Georgia companies doing business in Japan, joining us at JapanFest will help strengthen the special bond we share with Japan.

To celebrate this year’s 50th anniversary, JapanFest 2024 features an extraordinary lineup of headlining performers. Coming from Japan, Miyabiya Japan showcases their mesmerizing blend of traditional and modernized Kabuki theatre, a performing art proclaimed as an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In addition, Broadway performer and Rakugo master storyteller hailed as the "King of Kimono Comedy," Katsura Sunshine, showcases his own original comedic material, as well as captivating rendition of classic Japanese tales. With the ever-popular Matsuriza Taiko Japanese Drum Troupe, Samurai Sword Soul, sumo, karate, kendo, kyudo martial arts demonstrations, among many other captivating performing artists, you are sure to enjoy a full-day of entertainment.

JapanFest also features the best of Japanese cuisine in Atlanta! Local Japanese restaurants will offer a tantalizing menu of, bento boxes, rice bowls, ramen noodles, sushi, yakisoba, shaved ice and more at the Japanese Food Court and Beer Garden. Cultural exhibits and workshops include, calligraphy, Bonsai, Ikebana flower arranging, Kimono fitting, origami, tea ceremony, and more.

Kids will have a fantastic time experiencing Japanese culture firsthand. At the festival’s Children’s Area, where they can make their own Japanese crafts and toys. They can even take part in carrying a traditional Japanese portable shrine at the o-mikoshi parade. Head down to Ginza Dori, named after Tokyo's famous shopping district where you can experience Japanese festival-style games, accessories, snacks, and toys.

Visitors can also purchase an amazing array of Japanese goods, including kimono, Japanese tea, dolls, hand-made crafts, anime/manga goods, and much more at more than 100 vendor booths. Many of the over 600 Japanese-affiliated companies based in Georgia will display their products at the Japanese Businesses in Georgia (JBiG) exhibition. Interactive exhibits also include the latest in Japanese technology, including automobiles, tractors, electronics, video games, and virtual reality.

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