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JapanFest is back this year and celebrating 35 years! As one of the largest Japanese festivals in the country that promotes friendship and cultural exchange between the people of Japan and the U.S., JapanFest will feature taiko drum concerts and traditional Japanese dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, cultural workshops, children's games, Japanese food and beer garden, contemporary and traditional musical performances, and so much more! JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 17-18, 2022, from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday) at the Gas South Convention Center. Visit www.JapanFest.org or contact admin@JapanFest.org or 404-842-0736 for details.





ORGANIZERS

MISSION

The mission of JapanFest is to improve understanding and appreciation of linkages between Japanese and Americans residing in the Southeastern United States through an annual salute to Japanese culture and friendship entitled JapanFest. This celebration will promote multicultural education, encourage social harmony, and ensure the cultural integrity of JapanFest by providing an appropriate mix of authentic contemporary and traditional programs on Japanese art and culture. Activities include a wide variety of performing arts, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and exhibitions. These grassroots efforts are coordinated by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and The Japan-America Society of Georgia, and implemented by a host of community volunteers. JapanFest is committed to organizing a self-sustaining event, supported in part by non-Japanese Chamber of Commerce and non-Japan-America Society of Georgia members, and provides meaningful support to educational endeavors in Georgia.

HISTORY

What is now referred to as "JapanFest" began in 1981 as Japan Week, a biannual series of Japan-related cultural events organized by the Consulate-General of Japan that took place around the city of Atlanta. In 1986, the name was changed to JapanFest, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, the Japan America Society of Georgia, and the Consulate General of Japan organized their own events under the title of JapanFest. In 1993, the first Picnic and Sports Day was held at Mercer University. In 1995, Picnic and Sports Day became Japan Day at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. In 1996, JapanFest moved to Stone Mountain Park and became an annual event. In 1997, JapanFest, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit corporation. In 2012, JapanFest had over 17,000 attendees, making JapanFest the largest Japanese festival south of Washington, DC and east of Houston, TX.

AWARDS

JapanFest was selected as a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2003, 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2019, and was a  recipient of the Certificate of Commendation from the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2004 and 2011 for its contributions to the friendship and goodwill between Japan and the United States.

The Japan-America Society of Georgia, Inc.

is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote

mutual understanding between the people of Japan

 and the state of Georgia 

404-842-1400    Admin@JASGeorgia.org

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