Say ‘Konnichiwa’ to celebrating culture at South West Festival of Japan

International travel may be off the cards for the unforeseen future, but Bunbury residents will be able to experience a taste of Japan at home this weekend.

Following a successful 2020 event, the South West Festival of Japan is back to bring a celebration of culture to the city for a fourth year.

This year’s event will take over the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery to showcase Japanese culture through arts, crafts workshops, music, popular culture and food.

Consul-General of Japan Toru Suzuki will launch the festival tomorrow before a free screening of Japanese drama comedy Born Bone Born at Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre.

Festival-goers can expect a packed schedule, including the Japanese Film Festival Satellite at the BREC today, tomorrow and next Friday; a CBD stamp rally from today to next Friday; and drumming, tea, Manga art and cherry blossom workshops.

On Saturday, the BRAG will come alive for the Hanami Festival day, with a display by the South West Bonsai Group, market stalls, martial arts demonstrations, dancing, singing, drumming, cosplay and more on the agenda.

Event organiser Renee Morrison said with international borders closed, many people from Perth were looking forward to visiting Bunbury to celebrate the arts and culture of Japan.