CoolER Japan at JapanFest 2016

"Announcing CoolER Japan: JapanFest 2016"

Atlanta – Buckle your seatbelts and get ready to explore Japan like never before. This year’s JapanFest theme "Cooler Japan" will present an old cool(tradition) and new cool (pop-culture) of Japan highlighting five categories: Tradition, Fashion, Music, Technology and Anime. JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 17-18, 2016, from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday) at the Infinite Energy Center (located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097).

Anchoring the Tradition category at JapanFest 2016 will be kabuki theater! Kabuki is a centuries-old form of traditional Japanese theater that is a rich blend of music, dance, spectacular staging and costuming. There will also be plenty of martial arts demonstrations as well as an Echizen pottery demonstration.

New this year in the Fashion category is a Kimono Fashion Show – A creative fusion of traditional kimono and modern chic. For attendees that want to experience the traditional dress, the Konnichiwa Club will be available to dress them in kimonos.

Music has always been well represented at the festival, and this year is no exception. JapanFest will feature a variety of musical performances sure to suit all ages and interests, including the always popular Matsuriza taiko drumming, J-Rock and J-Pop, and classical music. There will also be traditional and modern Japanese dance performances, and all are invited to join in the spirited Obon dance!

Many of the approximately 550 Japanese companies based in Georgia will display their products in the Made in Georgia exhibition. Interactive exhibits include the latest in Japanese technology, such as automobiles, tractors, and electronics.

JapanFest is collaborating with MomoCon, the anime convention, to present an Anime Village with all things anime, including a Pokémon Go meetup!

For the younger set, there is a Children’s Area which has a variety of crafts and activities. There will be plenty of Japanese cuisine, so bring the family for a day of fun!

Purchase tickets in advance from the website and skip the lines! Tickets are $10. Children age 6 or younger are free. Teachers can bring their students to JapanFest for free by applying online at www.japanfest.org. Larger organizations can save money by purchasing advanced ticket packages online.

No pets other than guide dogs are allowed inside the convention center. For more information, call 404-842-0736 or visit www.japanfest.org.

Sponsors:

Platinum-Delta, Gold-Aflcac, Coca Cola, Silver-Fisher-Broyles, Kumon North America, TV Japan/NHK Cosmomedia America Inc., WSBTV-Channel 2, Bronze-American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Power Equipment Division; LeafFilter; Miura America Company; PriceWaterhouse Coopers; Sapporo USA, Inc; Temple University, Japan Campus; TOTO USA Inc; Fuji-Dexerials America Corporation, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Inside

Gwinnett Magazine, Panasonic Automotive Systems, Yamaha Motor Corp.U.S.A, Sakura-

Atlanta Parent Magazine; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC; Ernst &

Young LLP; Global Atlanta; Gwinnett Daily Post; Holiday Inn Gwinnett Center; Creative

Loafing; Honda Precision Parts of Georgia; KPMG; Nidec Elesys Americas Corporation;

Toppan Printing; Ume-Atlanta Braves, Kuraoka Clinic, Machida Family of Duluth

CLICK HERE for more details.