Japanese culture and heritage will be celebrated at a massive Burnaby celebration over Labour Day weekend — filled with games, fun, entertainment and more.
The Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre (NNMCC) will be hosting its 11th annual Nikkei Matsuri festival on Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 2-3).
The family-friendly festival — the largest celebration of Japanese culture, according to its website — will give a chance for everyone to come together and immersive themselves in the richness of Japanese culture.
The event will feature various cultural celebrations, including a lively Mikoshi procession — a portable shrine is carried through the venue in a rhythmic manner, accompanied by traditional music and instruments.
The Yagura tower will also host a traditional Japanese dance performance, Bon Odori, which promotes unity and remembrance.
Other special performing guests, both local entertainers and from Japan are expected to perform in the two-day festival. There will also be a variety of exciting games, including Yo-yo Balloon Fishing, Super Ball Scooping, Balloon Darts among many, for you to enjoy.
Those inclined to completely soak themselves in the Japanese culture can also rent Yukatas, allowing visitors to dress in traditional attire and truly immerse in the experience.
Yatai street food stalls will also be on-site to provide you a wide array of delicious Japanese street foods, including rice bowls, ramen and takoyaki (octopus balls).
For the first time this year, the cultural centre is also hosting a pre-festival celebration: Zenyasai Beer Garden event on Friday (Sept. 1) from 5 to10 p.m., where guests can enjoy an evening of music, art, and relaxation in Nikkei Garden.
Dance the night away among the chochin lanterns and Yagura tower while sipping on cold beer, Japanese sake to the sundowner set performed by DJs inclusion Rennie Foster.
A live mural painting by artist Taka Sudo will take place during the Zenyasai Beer Garden event and the two-day festival.
The mural, embracing both urban and organic elements will comprise of neon-coloured Japanese cranes, representing a collaboration of Japanese and Canadian culture. The mural is expected to add to the cultural canvas of Burnaby. More information about the artist and mural is on Sudo's website.
For more information and the complete lineup, you can visit Nikkei Matsuri website.
Nikkei Matsuri Japanese Festival
- When: Sept. 1 to 3; Friday, Sept. 1, 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Where: Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre (6688 Southoaks Crescent)
- Cost: $8 in advance, $10 at the door. (Free for guests between 6 to 7 p.m.)
- Free for NNMCC members, children and youth 17 years old and younger, and seniors over 65.
