JapanFest Atlanta 2024 to Celebrate 50+ Years of Georgia-Japan Ties with Unique Performances and Cultural Exhibits

To celebrate over 50 years of ties between Georgia and Japan, JapanFest Atlanta 2024 will feature an extraordinary lineup of headlining performers. Miyabiya, coming from Japan, will showcase their mesmerizing blend of traditional and modernized Kabuki theater, a performing art recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Additionally, Broadway performer and Rakugo master storyteller Katsura Sunshine, dubbed the "King of Kimono Comedy," will present his original material alongside captivating renditions of classic Japanese tales.

The festival's entertainment roster also includes the ever-popular Matsuriza Taiko Japanese Drum Troupe, Samurai Sword Soul, and demonstrations of sumo, karate, kendo, and kyudo martial arts. Guests can enjoy a full day of diverse performances and activities.

JapanFest will also spotlight Atlanta's best Japanese cuisine. Local restaurants will offer a variety of dishes such as bento boxes, rice bowls, ramen noodles, sushi, yakisoba, and shaved ice at the Japanese Food Court and Beer Garden. Cultural exhibits and workshops will feature calligraphy, Bonsai, Ikebana flower arranging, Kimono fitting, origami, and traditional tea ceremonies.

Children can participate in the festival's dedicated area, making Japanese crafts and toys, trying Kabuki face painting, and joining the o-mikoshi parade to carry a traditional Japanese portable shrine. Visitors can explore Ginza Dori, named after Tokyo's famous shopping district, to experience festival-style games, accessories, snacks, and toys.

Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a wide array of Japanese goods, including kimono, Japanese tea, dolls, handmade crafts, and anime/manga merchandise from over 100 vendor booths. The Japanese Businesses in Georgia (JBiG) exhibition will feature displays from many of the over 600 Japanese-affiliated companies based in Georgia, including the latest in Japanese technology such as automobiles, tractors, electronics, video games, and virtual reality.

Advanced tickets are available for $16 until September 20th, while tickets at the door will be $20. Family & Friends Packages are also available, offering four tickets for $70 or five tickets for $90 at the door. Children aged six and under can attend for free. Military personnel and seniors can purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $16 at the door, and group tickets are available for larger parties. Kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers can obtain free tickets by applying through the JapanFest website, and college groups can access discount ticket packages similarly.

JapanFest Atlanta 2024 is organized by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and The Japan-America Society of Georgia, with support from the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta. The festival is designed to promote friendship and cultural exchange between the Japanese and American communities in the Southeast, attracting over 20,000 visitors annually.