Image: All rights and credits to www.bernardolivares.blogspot.com
How do you get to taste a slice of authentic Japanese culture in Guam? Just become part of Akimatsuri, the Japanese Autumn Festival held in Guam by the Japan Club. Days Inn Guam welcomes you to this much-awaited event that has become a cultural tradition in Guam and is now in the 35th year of its existence, and invites you to enjoy a fun-filled evening of Japanese music, dance, cultural performances, Mikoshi, toys, food games and much much more.
Event Details
Date: November 22, 2014
Time: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m
Admission: Free (But tickets are required to be purchased to buy food and play games)
Phone: 671-646-8066
Location: Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Beach Park (Ypao), Tumon
Festival Schedule:
2 p.m. Opening
5 p.m. Starting Performance
9 p.m. Closing Ceremony
Free shuttles will run from Guam Greyhound Park to Ypao every 10 to 15 minutes starting at 2:30 p.m. The last shuttle will leave Ypao to Guam Greyhound Park at 9:45 p.m.
The Festival had humble beginnings thirty five years ago in a the parking lot of the former Okura Hotel in Tumon with a crowd of around 500 Japanese expatriates who wanted to keep their heritage alive and pass it on to their children. Today, thousands of people throng the beach side park to soak in the Japanese culture.
There is a full lineup of entertainment from the Japanese School of Guam, local performers and various groups from Japan which will perform the umbrella dance, shanshan kasa odori, nankin tamasudare and kochi yosaki. There will also be a Taiwan Dragon Dance from the island’s Chinese school. This is also a great opportunity to get to learn several Japanese arts and crafts.
One of the important traditions at the festival is the carrying of the Mikoshi shrine set up on long heavy beams. About 40 men and women line up for this honor and in Japan, this ritual is carried out throughout each village to spread good energy and get everyone into the festive mood. The event will also have the Consulate General of Japan taking part in the Japanese tradition of ‘Mochisuki’, which is the ceremonial rice-pounding to make the popular Japanese sweet – Mochi.
The Japanese Autumn Festival is a great way for the local community of Guam and the Japanese community to come together in a joint celebration. Proceeds from the Festival go towards funding the Japanese School in Guam.
So pencil in the event into your calendar and look forward to munching on some great mochi and sipping sake in wooden cups, the way it should be drunk. And once you are tired from all the fun and games, come back to rest in your comfortable room at Days Inn, the most popular Guam hotel.
The Japanese Autumn Festival Celebrations in Guam, from 2012
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