Matsuri makes beachfront comeback

THE sounds of traditional drumming and Japanese folk songs emanated across the beach on the weekend when the annual Matsuri Japan Byron Bay returned to the oceanfront for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Festival attendees feasted on Japanese street food, including gyoza, yakitori and shave ice, and shopped at market stalls selling everything from kimonos to Pokemon paraphernalia.

As well as Taiko drumming performances, there were martial arts and samurai demonstrations, kids’ sumo contests and origami workshops.

Festival director Mayu Akiba said the event provided an opportunity to support the local Japanese community and provide others a greater understand of cultural diversity.

“Living in Byron Bay is a big challenge,” she said. “Getting a job and a place to live is no mean feat for an expatriate.

“But Japanese food is very popular with Australians, so it’s probably easier for Japanese people compared to people from other cultures to live in this highly competitive small town.”

Akiba was delighted to see the festival return to the park next to Byron Bay Surf Club, where it began in 2017, because there was more space than its post-COVID location at Byron Youth Service’s Youth Activities Centre.

While event organisers tried to keep the event small for members of the Japanese community and their friends due to parking restraints, Akiba said the festival was so popular the previous venue was overwhelmed.

“The highlight of this year was the bamboo stage structure located in the centre of the venue,” she said. “It exuded a Japanese

atmosphere and really livened up the venue, matching with Japanese street food stalls that most people have never seen in the Byron Bay area. It was like a mini-Japan we provided.”