Everyday Is 'Japan Day' At Japan Society, But In Central Park It Happens Only Once A Year

Yo-yo fishes. Photo by Katsura on Flickr.

Join us this Sunday, June 6th in the East Meadow for the fourth annual Japan Day @ Central Park!

Throughout the day there will be tons of Japanese cultural activities for the whole family: main stage performances such as taiko drumming, sword fighting demonstrations, a fashion show, J-pop and hip-hop gigs, and much more. Also, there will be various activity tents scattered throughout the beautiful ground. You can try your hand at origami, calligraphy, and making Japanese-style fans (especially handy for the hot summer months ahead!) If you’re in the mood for food, there will be many snack tents offering Gyoza dumplings, udon noodles, senbei rice-crackers, and refreshing green tea. 

Japan Society will be running the yo-yo tsuri activity tent in conjunction with the Japan Local Government Center . To play yo-yo tsuri, you fish for water balloons with a rod made of a paper-clip and paper. You have to move quick so the paper doesn't disintegrate. Once you catch a water-balloon they bounce just like a yo-yo!

Festivities start at 10 am, but if you’re up early there’s the Japan Run at 8 am. Registration is closed, but you can still go the cheer on the over 5,000 runners who’ll be participating: including some past Japanese Olympians! The Kid’s Run at 9:30 is still open for registration.

Admission is free. All events will be held come rain or shine. We hope to see you there! 

N.O.