Byron Bay" is the easternmost town in Australia.
"Byron Bay" is a small town in northern New South Wales where surfing and yoga are popular.
The town of Byron Bay has no tall buildings, no luxury resort facilities or shopping malls.
While the Gold Coast and Brisbane, towns near Byron Bay, have a high percentage of Japanese, the percentage of Japanese is much lower in Byron Bay, which is a little further away.
However, there are several Japanese restaurants run by Japanese people in town, which are popular among the locals and bustling every day.
Held once a year! Japan Festival "Matsuri
Byron Bay, the easternmost town in Australia, holds a Japan Festival once a year in November.
According to locals, the market was originally a small-scale market, but as the number of visitors increased each year, the event has now been moved to the larger main beach, and the admission fee, which used to be charged, has been waived, allowing more people to visit the Japan Festival.
This time, I happened to visit Byron Pay on a trip during the festival and learned about the Japan Festival, and I was glad to see that Japanese culture is so popular overseas.
From here, I would like to introduce the actual "Japan Festival Matsuri 2024!
Lots of "fun booths" like festival stalls
At the "Japan Festival" in Byron Bay, Australia's easternmost town, you can experience Japanese culture firsthand at stalls selling Japanese food and booths selling Japanese games such as ring tossing and super ball scooping. You can directly experience Japanese culture at the "Japan Festival" in Byron Bay, Australia's easternmost town.
Gyoza, takoyaki, yakisoba, and green tea sweets were on sale, and all the stores were very popular, with long lines forming.
Many items were sold out by late in the festival.
The festival starts from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., so it is recommended to arrive early.
The prices of the products sold at "Japan Festival" are higher than those at Japanese festival stalls, but since they are made and sold by Japanese people, you can enjoy the authentic taste of Japan.
Sushi is also as shown here.
It was Japanese sushi rolls, not the unique foreign sushi rolls called California rolls.
The "inari sushi" tasted just like inari sushi in Japan, which made me happy because I visited just when I was craving Japanese food.
Because it was the Japan Festival, I felt it was a good opportunity to introduce "Japanese sushi" to people from overseas who have never been to Japan.
The festival included exciting "Awa Odori" and "Karate" performances.
In addition, many traditional Japanese cultural performances such as "Sumo" (Japan's national sport), "Mochitsuki" (a New Year's event), "Soranbushi" (a typical Hokkaido folk song), "Koto" (a traditional stringed instrument), and "Bon Odori" (a Japanese traditional dance) were also performed. The traditional stringed instrument "Koto" and "Bon Odori" entertained the audience from start to finish.
The taiko and karate performances were performed not only by Japanese but also by Australians. The performances were as accomplished as the Japanese, and it was clear that the performers had learned their skills because of their love of Japanese culture.
As a Japanese, I was very happy to see that even in such a small town, there are people who love Japanese culture.
If you are planning to visit "Byron Bay" in November, please consider visiting the Japan Festival.
＞ Byron Bay Japan Festival Matsuri Official Instagram
Japan Festival is an opportunity to meet "Japanese living in the suburbs
This time, I visited the annual "Japan Festival Matsuri 2024" held in Byron Bay, the easternmost town in Australia, and was impressed by the large number of local Australians and Japanese people who gather there. I realized that there are many Japanese people in a small town, not only local Australians, but also Japanese people living in the suburbs.
I think one of the attractions of the festival is not only to enjoy Japanese culture, but also to possibly meet new people.
Other major cities in Australia also hold large-scale Japan Festivals every year.
If you are planning to visit any of the cities listed below, please plan your visit to the Festival according to your schedule.
＜Japan Festivals in Australian cities
Perth, Western Australia
Holding period:Every year in March (since 2014)
Scale of the event: approx. 20,000 visitors
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Holding period:Every May (since 2000)
Scale of the event: approx. 40,000 visitors
Sydney, New South Wales
Holding period:Every December (since 2002)
Scale of the event: approx. 50,000 visitors
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