On 19 May, Japan Festival 2024 took place at Box Hill Town Hall in Whitehorse City, located in the metropolitan area of Melbourne, Victoria.
This event aimed to contribute to the cultural exchange between Japan and Australia by introducing Japanese culture and customs, offering a delightful experience for all attendees.
Visitors immersed themselves in Japanese culture, enjoying Wadaiko (Japanese drum) performances and traditional Japanese dance, along with engaging in activities like kimono and cosplay contests. They also indulged in Japanese street food, including takoyaki (octopus balls) and tonjiru (pork miso soup), as they strolled through the food stalls.
At the CLAIR Sydney booth, we showcased and promoted the JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme) in collaboration with JETAA (JET Alumni Association) providing travel information about various regions of Japan. Many visitors came to our booth seeking insights into popular tourist destinations and locations where they could relish snow during the winter season. Some had already made plans to visit Japan starting from the upcoming autumn or winter, and it was impressive to witness people discussing specific sightseeing itineraries.
Additionally, there were inquiries about sister cities such as Aichi Prefecture (the sister state of Victoria), Osaka City (the sister city of Melbourne), and Matsudo City (the sister city of Whitehorse City). Furthermore, visitors sought information and brochures for regions they had yet to explore, including internationally renowned tourist destinations like Kyoto and Hokkaido. It was evident that there is an increasing interest in inbound demand, post the COVID-19 pandemic.
Going forward, we will continue to support the promotion of local governments in various regions of Japan, fostering stronger connections between the people of Japan and Australia and further igniting interest in Japan.
From the 3rd to the 13th of December, eight selected swimmers from the Fukuoka Swimming Association visited NSW, where they participated in joint training sessions with a local school and competed in the 2024-25 Speedo NSW Senior State Age Championships.
