The crowds along the Rhine, an estimated 750,000 attended the festival
JLGC London has returned to exhibiting to the public after events restarted post-lockdown, recently attending events promoting Japan in Germany and Ireland.
Japan-Tag began in 2002 to introduce Japanese culture along the Rhine in Dusseldorf, Germany. People coming to the festival were excited to experience Japanese culture after the absence of the past two years due to COVID-19. Thousands attended in costumes, and stages were set up in multiple places, performances of Japanese drums and kins, performances of judo, kendo, iaido, etc., cosplay fashion shows and karaoke competitions, flower arrangements, kimono dressing, and Japanese calligraphy. Chiba and Fukushima prefectures also exhibited, both having links with the city of Düsseldorf and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
At around 23:00, a large-scale fireworks display by a fireworks artist invited from Japan, resulted in huge cheers from the crowds, the opportunity for visitors to enjoy Japanese culture lasting throughout the day.
In addition, many related events such as Japanese-German economic symposiums and Japan-related exhibitions at museums are held in conjunction with Japan-Tag, meaning the day is a major annual event in the city of Düsseldorf, with a powerful pull to attract customers.
The JLGC stall gave visitors information and explained the attractions in the regions of Japan. JLGC has created a QR code table for the English version of tourist sites, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube accounts for each region providing information visitors can view and social media to follow.
In Ireland, Experience Japan is an annual event in Phoenix Park held in Dublin for many years and an event focused on families interested in Japanese culture and visiting Japan attend. Performances included Japanese music, dance, martial arts and exhibitions such as bonsai and haiku contests.
Some of the visitors to JLGC’s booth had previously visited Japan for work or travel, and others plan to travel to Japan as soon as immigration restrictions due to coronavirus finish. People visiting the booth seemed generally interested in Japanese animation and manga, and studying Japanese.
Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka may be familiar names in Ireland, but visitors asked for information on other cities, signs that interest in provincial locations is increasing. Furthermore, those who have already travelled to Japan Took away pamphlets from various places, hoping to go to areas other than ‘big three‘ next time.
JLGC will also be exhibiting at Hyper Japan, also being held again after a two-year hiatus, at the Evolution London venue in Battersea Park SW11 4NJ on Friday 22 to Sunday 24 July. For more details see here: https://hyperjapan.co.uk/festival/
