HYPER JAPAN, the UK’s biggest celebration of Japanese culture, cuisine and cool, closed with a record number of over 62,000 visitors attending to check out the event’s latest exhibitors in gaming, anime, fashion, music, food, drink and more. The weekend saw a wide range of visitors, from keen anime and cosplay fans to families and young professionals eager to learn more about Japanese culture, queuing round the building raring to see what this year’s event had to offer.
JLGC put out a stall at HYPER JAPAN 2013, held on Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July at Earls Court, providing information about Japan’s regions and handing out tourism brochures and updates. With fashion shows, manga drawing workshops, Anime film screenings and authentic Japanese food, Hyper Japan is becoming a must attend event for fans of Japanese culture. 62,000 people attended the event.
Throughout the weekend, HYPER JAPAN 2013 was the place to discover the real essence of traditional and new Japan. With today’s newest J-pop talents, Yun*Chi, YANAKIKU and J-Rock stars VANIRU; the latest in gaming from Nintendo and streaming anime services from Daisuki.net; as well as talks on the newest developments in robotic technology from ITK and Taiji Sugasuwa, the creator of the KURATAS Giant Robots, to martial art displays, calligraphy, origami and the opportunity to learn more about the day in the life of a geisha, there was something on offer for everyone to enjoy.
Kazuhiro Marumo, Managing Director of Cross Media, organisers of HYPER JAPAN 2013 exclaimed, “This is fifth HYPER JAPAN and the first time we have crossed the 60,000 visitor mark. This impressive figure is testament to just how strong the interest in Japanese culture has become here in the UK, and in HYPER JAPAN as a showcase of that culture. We’re already looking at how we can improve the event to make it bigger and better nest time, bringing more of the ‘real’ Japan to the UK. We’re also very proud of our role in supporting Japanese companies seeking to expand into the markets in the UK and beyond.”
Mr Marumo concluded, “I’m positive that the sixth HYPER JAPAN in July 2014, will be a highlight of the summer event calendar.”
JLGC not only handed out information on tourist destinations for Japan local authorities, but also carried out some market research into people’s impressions of Japan, travel plans and aspects of Japanese culture interesting to visitors. JLGC is increasingly helping Japan’s regions promote themselves and their products in the UK and Europe. Thanks to everyone who came to see us at one of the UK’s biggest Japan related events, and we look forward to seeing you next year.
Picture © Kaori Ando/Cross Media
