The Orlando Japan Festival is an annual event put on by the Japan Association of Orlando, the local Orlando Japanese community, and is one of my favorite events of the year – where you can have a taste of the street food from Japan like takoyaki octopus balls to gyu don beef rice bowls, and of course sushi, all while enjoying traditional Japanese cultural entertainment. It’s a wonderful event to take the whole family.
The event, which was once hosted at the Rangetsu building on International Drive, is now put on at the Hunter’s Creek plaza just south of SR 417 on John Young Parkway for the past few years.
There are amazing traditional performances like the 100 Drummers taiko performance performed by Matsuriza of the Disney Epcot Japan Pavilion, Koto (Japanese harp player), traditional Japanese Dance, Tsugaru-Shamisen, the age-old iconic Tea Ceremony (symbolic of Japan’s oldest traditions), Japanese Calligraphy (shodo), Martial Arts demonstrations, as well as a chance to try-out real Japanese Kimonos.
My favorite aspect of the festival is the many Japanese Food Stalls staffed by the local Japanese restaurant community including Rangetsu, Sushi Tomi, Japan Food Aki, the Disney Epcot Japan Pavilion’s Mitsukoshi, and more.
Japanese Books on sale at the FestivalVisitors purview the selection of booksA young samurai in training with his friendJTB Travel Agency here in Orlando for all your Japan travel needs http://online.jtbusa.com/JTB Travel Agency http://online.jtbusa.com/Mr. Harris Rosen of Rosen Hotels welcomes guests to the Orlando Japan FestivalMr. Rosen, a huge supporter of the local community, including the Japanese, donated $100,000 to Japan in 2011 after the TsunamiMr. Harris Rosen of Rosen HotelsA young samurai getting geared upSamurai gear in showJapanese street food – includes a fish shaped mung bean dessert, squid, octopus ballsJapanese street food – includes a fish shaped mung bean dessert, squid, octopus ballsGrilled squidKimonos for sale at this booth with Izumi and Yuni Sakurada and friendsWild Jack Horse Mackerel Nigiri Sushi from Mitsukoshi of Epcot’s Japan PavilionMitsukoshi team of Epcot’s Japan PavilionPalm reading at the Orlando Japan Festival
Matsuriza Taiko Drum TeamRangetsu of Maitland teamFoods from Rangetsu!Aki of Japan on International Drive – Selling their Curry Rice!Chika – Aki of Japan on International Drive – Selling their Curry Rice!Aki of Japan on International Drive – Selling their Curry Rice!Kiko Japanese of MelbourneMochi rice ballsOkonomiyakiChef Hidehiko of Sushi Tomi on John Young and Sand Lake selling onigiri, futomaki sushiChef Hidehiko with his wife Reiko of Sushi Tomi!Chef Hidehiko with his wife Reiko of Sushi Tomi!Mikado Sushi of Hunter’s CreekNo-Face (???? kaonashi, lit. “faceless”), a spirit in the Japanese animated film Spirited AwayNo-Face (???? kaonashi, lit. “faceless”), a spirit in the Japanese animated film Spirited Away
Green Tea Ceremony with Mr. Harris RosenGreen Tea Ceremony with Mr. Harris RosenAsia Trend Magazine boothThe Food Court is packed
Cosplay, a popular form of expression through costume at the Japan FestivalJunichi and MimiKid’s games at the festivalCosplay, a popular form of expression through costume at the Japan FestivalCosplay, a popular form of expression through costume at the Japan FestivalCosplay, a popular form of expression through costume at the Japan FestivalYoung Japanese girls in KimonoMatsuriza Taiko drumming team
