Japan Day 2019
2019/3/19
The Japanese Society of Auckland and Consulate General of Japan Auckland held the 18th Japan Day at rugby’s hallowed Eden Park Stadium.
At the opening ceremony there were speeches from Consul General of Japan Minoru Kikuchi, Minister for Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa, National MP Mark Mitchell, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Japanese Society of Auckland Chairperson Anri Go.
At the venue there were indoor and outdoor stages with performances of Yosakoi dance, Japanese traditional dance, Taiko drumming, Aikido, Karate, animation characters and cosplay, and there were booths holding tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy, yukata wearing demonstrations and exhibiting Bonsai, Ikebana and Japanese dolls. In addition, many different aspects of Japan were showcased with Japanese musical culture presented with a performance from Shamisen player Keisho Ohno and Taiko drummer Kenji Furutate and Miss New Zealand International Natasha Unkovich appeared as an ambassador for Visit Japan tourism. There was also a 2019 Rugby World Cup booth promoting travel to Japan.
This is the largest event introducing Japanese culture in Auckland and with 45 thousand visitors it is an excellent opportunity for people to increase their knowledge of Japan’s attractions through Japanese culture.
At the opening ceremony there were speeches from Consul General of Japan Minoru Kikuchi, Minister for Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa, National MP Mark Mitchell, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Japanese Society of Auckland Chairperson Anri Go.
At the venue there were indoor and outdoor stages with performances of Yosakoi dance, Japanese traditional dance, Taiko drumming, Aikido, Karate, animation characters and cosplay, and there were booths holding tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy, yukata wearing demonstrations and exhibiting Bonsai, Ikebana and Japanese dolls. In addition, many different aspects of Japan were showcased with Japanese musical culture presented with a performance from Shamisen player Keisho Ohno and Taiko drummer Kenji Furutate and Miss New Zealand International Natasha Unkovich appeared as an ambassador for Visit Japan tourism. There was also a 2019 Rugby World Cup booth promoting travel to Japan.
This is the largest event introducing Japanese culture in Auckland and with 45 thousand visitors it is an excellent opportunity for people to increase their knowledge of Japan’s attractions through Japanese culture.
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| Consul General Minoru Kikuchi | Minister for Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa |
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| National MP Mark Mitchell | Auckland Mayor Phil Goff |
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| Japanese Society of Auckland Chairperson Anri Go | Opening ceremony |
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| Performance by Mr Ohno and Mr Furutate | Miss NZ International |
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| Rugby booth | Rugby booth |
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| Ikebana exhibit | Bonsai exhibit |
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| Tea ceremony demonstration | Japanese tea demonstration |