Calling Japan lovers in the UK! The Japan Matsuri will be back this year on Saturday 6th October. This year’s Matsuri will be held at Trafalgar Square.
Last year the Japan Matsuri was held at County Hall, which I wasn’t sure was a particularly good venue (I heard Spitalfields in 2010 was better). I’m not sure how I feel about Trafalgar Square as a venue to be honest – I think it’s too big, and it will lose the “matsuri” feeling. If it gets over crowded, it’s a real pain to get around in Trafalgar Square, and the Chinese New Year celebrations there this year were horrible. Still, hopefully it will work out.
There’s not much on the website yet about what performances and stalls will be at the Matsuri this year, but they do say that the day will be opened by Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Keiichi Hayashi, at 11am, and there will be two stages, as well as an exhibition area. Entertainment will include martial arts, and I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a bit of taiko drumming, too. Keep an eye on their website, Facebook page and Twitter feed for more up-to-date information.
If volunteering is your thing, they’re currently looking for people to get involved. For more information, visit the Japan Matsuri website.
For my write-up of last year’s Japan Matsuri, click here.
Trafalgar Square? Don’t like the sound of that. It’s a tourist trap, especially on a Saturday!
Yeah, my thoughts exactly. (>_<) Let's hope we're proved wrong…