JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 27-28, 2008, from from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday) at Convention Center at Gwinnett Center. 
JapanFest, now in its 22nd year, is the largest Japanese festival east of Houston and south of Washington, DC, and typically draws crowds exceeding 18,500. Organized by The Japan-America Society of Georgia (JASG), The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia (JCCG), and the Consulate General of Japan (CGJ), JapanFest Weekend is the highlight of a month-long series of events designed to promote understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast.
Tickets are $8, children age 6 or younger free. Tickets are available at the door; cash only please.. Save money by ordering advance ticket packages online.
JapanFest 2008 will explore the fascinating culture and history of the Heian Period (794-1185), with particular attention paid to The Tale of Genji as we celebrate the millennium anniversary of what is considered to be the worldfs first novel. Written by a noblewoman named Murasaki Shikibu in the early eleventh century, The Tale of Genji delves into the life and culture of the Japanese imperial court. Professor Junco Pollack of Georgia State University, Professor Yuki Takatori of Georgia State University, Professor Robert Steen of Oglethorpe University and Professor Douglas Reynolds of Georgia State University will present lectures on the history, culture, fashion, and language of this fascinating period at JapanFest 2008 .
JapanFest 2008 will feature a wide variety of authentic Japanese performances, exhibitions and hands-on workshops demonstrating traditional and contemporary Japanese artistic and cultural pursuits, including taiko drumming, dance, flower arranging, bonsai, tea ceremony, kimono, and martial arts, including aikido, judo, karate, kendo, kyudo (Japanese archery), and sumo.
Visitors can purchase an amazing array of Japanese goods, including books, kimono, Japanese tea, dolls, and rice paper. The Japan-America Society of Georgia will have t-shirts and temporary tattoos; the Ginza-dori, organized by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and named after Tokyo's famous shopping district will feature Japanese ceramics, traditional Japanese clothing and accessories and fun items such as masks and toys; at the Bazaar, organized by the Georgia Japanese Language School you will find books and household goods.
The first 2,000 children visiting JapanFest will receive a free Japanese toy. Toys include tops, marbles, menko (card game), bamboo helicopters, and several other traditional Japanese trinkets. Children can also attend kite-making workshops, learn origami and join in fun games.
Many of the Japanese companies based in Georgia will display their products in the Made in Georgia exhibition. 2007 participants include Hoshizaki America, Inc., JETRO, Kubota Manufacturing of America Corporation, Murata Electronics North America, Inc., RHYTHM USA, Inc., Seigakuin Atlanta International School, Symbiosis International, Inc., TDK Components USA Inc., TOTO U.S.A. Inc, Yamaha Motor Mfg. Corp. of America and Yanmar America Corporation.
JapanFest 2008 will feature several contests open to the public. The first ever JapanFest Academic Poster Contest will give college undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to visually present their academic research on Japan. We are also seeking submissions of digital photos for the JapanFest Travel Photo Contest. Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to submit their original drawings incorporating the theme of gKimono and the Japanese Peopleh to the JapanFest Poster Contest, and all Georgia residents are encouraged to submit their online video on the theme gJapan and Meh to the JapanFest YouTube Video Contest.
JapanFest is made possible by generous corporate sponsorship and the hard work of many community volunteers. JapanFest 2007 sponsors included: Aflac, Alston & Bird, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Elesys North America, Georgia Power, Interesse International, Komatsu America Corporation, Kroger, McDonaldfs, Pasona, Sapporo USA, Shimizu North America LLC, Spectrum Productions, Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corporation, Symbiosis International, Temple University Japan, and Toyo Tire.
JapanFest is not possible without the help of over 100 volunteers. To volunteer, please fill out an application.
If you are a teacher and would like to bring your students to JapanFest for free, please apply online.
No pets other than guide dogs are allowed inside the convention center.
For more information, call 404-842-0736.
