(Photo courtesy of Japan Club of Guam )
With the cheerful beat of taiko drums, lyrical tunes of traditional Japanese music and carnival foods from the Land of the Rising Sun, the Guam Japan Festival is back April 12!
Harumatsuri is a Japanese traditional festival to welcome the arrival of spring. In previous years, a local group of Japanese companies and individuals, hosted the celebration in autumn as an Akimatsuri “autumn festival” every year since 1970 at Ypao Beach Park in November. This year, the festival moves to spring, as the club wanted to avoid the fall typhoon season.
This annual festival originally started as a small Japanese community event to show their children a typical traditional Japanese festival and culture. It has grown year after year and today is considered the island’s largest annual festival – enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The event attracts more than 39,000 people every year, according to the organizers. Partial proceeds go to the Japanese International Academy of Guam.
“Spring symbolizes new beginnings, and we believe it will bring a fresh and vibrant energy to our beloved festival,” said Rui Miyamori, a public affairs officer with the Japan Club of Guam.
The festival is scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Governor Joseph Flores Beach Park (Ypao Beach Park) on April 12. The first half will be dedicated to family-friendly activities. Beginning at 5 p.m., the event will feature live music and alcohol for adults.
Visitors will get a rare glimpse into Japanese festival culture, including bon odori dancing, mikoshi (portable shrine)-carrying and plenty of games and food booths. Other performances scheduled include Japanese folk dancing, Saipan Awaodori dancing, wadaiko drum performances and a tuna filleting event.
Don’t miss yakisoba stir-fried noodles, yakitori skewered chicken and other Japanese festival foods.
Tickets will be sold in groups of 10 for $10 each. Money cannot be used at the booths, only tickets. Organizers recommend purchasing tickets in advance at the Japan Club of Guam, Pier Marine, Japanese International Academy of Guam and Tokyo Mart in Tamuning or online.
Parking is available at Freedom Park and John F. Kennedy High School. A free shuttle service will operate from 1:45 p.m.-10:15 p.m.
There are plenty of fun activities planned for the entire family, so make plans to attend the Guam Japan Festival!
Things to know
43rd Guam Japan Festival – Harumatsuri (Spring Festival)
Hours: April 12, 2 -10:15 p.m.
Location: Ypao Beach Park
Tel.: (671) 646-8066 (Japan Club of Guam)
*Japan Club of Guam is seeking sponsors, venders, and performers. For more information, contact the office or email at jpclub@teleguam.net.
Get your tickets in advance to avoid long lines at the ticket booth during the event.. You can buy tickets at Japan Club of Guam or Pier Marine [1st floor] (March 17 – April 11, Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.), Japanese International Academy of Guam (March 17 – April 11, Mon – Fri, 8:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., 1:30 – 4 p.m., Sat 8:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m.) and Tokyo Mart in Tamuning (April 7 – 11, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
(Photo courtesy of Japan Club of Guam )
(Photo courtesy of Japan Club of Guam )
