The Japan Festival of Wellington 2014 took place on 23 August at TSB Bank Arena in Wellington NZ. The festival celebrated the relationship between Japan and New Zealand by bringing Japanese culture to Wellington in a not-for-profit event. This year’s Festival celebrated the 20th anniversary of Wellington and Sakai’s sister city relationship.
Sakai’s delegation (led by the Mayor of Sakai) visited the Festival, met with the Mayor of Wellington, sister city association and others.
In Wellington, the Festival’s international performers included Judo, Tea ceremony-Urasenke style, Taisho-Goto Group and many others. The Festival was a great success. According to the organiser, the festival attracted over 35,000 people.
Sakai’s rich history
Sakai City has carved out a long history. The Yamato Dynasty was established in the 4th to 5th centuries, during which time the Mozu Tumulus Cluster was built, consisting of more than one hundred ancient burial mounds, including the Nintoku-ryo Tumulus. The city is now working on having the Mozu Tumulus Cluster, including the Nintoku-ryo Tumulus, listed on the World Heritage registry. The city is blessed with many temples and shrines, tea ceremony culture integrated by tea master named Sen-no-Rikyu, and traditional industries such as cutlery, incense and bicycle manufacturing.