JapanFest Weekend at Stone Mountain Park
JapanFest is an authentic Japanese Outdoor Festival that has been part of Atlanta since 1986. In 1996, JapanFest was moved to Stone Mountain Park where it has ample room for displays, demonstrations and visitor parking. The idea behind JapanFest was to offer those who have not experienced Japanese Culture and those who already appreciate Japanese culture the opportunity to have an authentic experience without having to leave the country. How authentic? JapanFest is organized by the Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and the Consulate General of Japan. This means that visitors to JapanFest can rest easily knowing that the festival is organized by those who honor and respect the Japanese Culture. In addition to that JapanFest was selected as a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2003. This means Visitors know they can expect not only an authentic experience but a great one as well.
JapanFest has a five dollar all day admission, and tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day of admission. Visitors to the festival will have to pay the eight dollar per car admission to Stone Mountain Park as well. Getting to Stone Mountain Park to attend JapanFest is simple from just about anywhere in theAtlanta area.Stone Mountain Park is roughly 16 miles east of
Atlanta on State Highway 78, you can just take 285 to exit 39B and travel on 78 for about 8 miles. For more information about
Stone Mountain Park please visit their website at: http://www.stonemountainpark.com. Among the many things you will find at
Stone Mountain Park’s website are more specific directions from cities in other states, and also some information about what you can see at Stone Mountain Park.
JapanFest runs from 11 am until 5 pm on September 23rd and 24th. Each day has events scheduled from open until close and there is something for nearly everybody. JapanFest has a children’s area that has activities like Origami making, mask making, lantern coloring, and performances of Japanese children’s songs. There is also a Martial Arts Stage at JapanFest where demonstrations will showcase many varieties of Martial Arts including: aikido, judo, karate, kendo, kenjutsu, kyudo, Okinawan Shuri-ryu and shinkendo. On JapanFest’s performance stage visitors can watch a variety of musical and dance acts that showcase many aspects of ‘s rich culture. At the workshop pavilion visitors can attend in several workshops and lectures such as “Appreciating Japanese Saki”, Origami making and Japanese Flower arranging among many others. JapanFest also hosts the Georgia Sumo Open. This year will be the Second year for the Georgia Sumo open, and the event will feature more than 20 sumo wrestlers from around the world. Sumo wrestlers entered into the Second Georgia Sumo Open at JapanFest will have an opportunity for rank advancement during their participation.
In addition to the eleven performers, eleven speakers and companies sponsoring workshops and lectures, and eighteen martial arts groups making demonstrations JapanFest has over seventy exhibitors and vendors who will be spread out through out the festival with booths for you to visit. The exhibitor and vendor booths offer all ranges of displays showcasing aspects of Japanese Culture from Anime to Zen. Study the art of Bonsai or learn more about taking your own trip to Japan, among many other topics at the JapanFest booths.
JapanFest is an excellent opportunity to experience Japanese Culture for both those who are unfamiliar with Japanese Culture and those who are familiar with Japanese Culture. Visitors to the festival can expect to have a great experience that is both educational and fun, all for only five dollars admission and without even leaving the state. JapanFest is an important and unique addition to the many diverse celebrations held in the Metro Atlanta area and it is not to be missed.
If you would like more information about JapanFest such as a detailed schedule of events, a map of the events area, a detailed list of the participants or the history of JapanFest please visit their official website at: http://www.japanfest.org/. At the JapanFest website you can also find a form to fill out for an opportunity to volunteer at JapanFest. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and fill out the form located here: http://www.japanfest.org/section.new.php?section=volunteer_new.
