Festival brings a taste of Japan to the Geelong Showgrounds

BORN from a simple desire for connection, the Geelong Japanese Festival will return to the Geelong Showgrounds this month.

Set for 18 April, the event invites visitors to experience omotenashi – the spirit of Japanese hospitality – in the heart of the region.

The festival emerged in the wake of the pandemic, when members of the local Japanese community recognised a strong appetite for connection and cultural exchange.

Japanese Association of Geelong president Tomomi Ishii said the foundations were already in place.

“Geelong has a long-standing history of international trade and a formal sister city relationship in Japan,” Ishii said.

“We wanted to create an annual ‘home’ for that relationship and then came the Geelong Japanese Festival.

“There is a unique energy that builds when you’re preparing to share your heart and culture with your neighbours.”

This year’s theme, People-to-People Collection, highlights the role of community in shaping the festival, with volunteers and organisers working behind the scenes to bring it together.

“Our committee and volunteers have been working tirelessly on everything from coordinating authentic food stalls to organising the Kagamibiraki [sake barrel ceremony],” Ishii said.

“Seeing the community come together like this makes every hour of planning worth it.”

The program will feature the thunder of the JAG Taiko Team, a popular cosplay contest and a wide range of cultural experiences, but for many, the Taste of Japan remains the biggest drawcard.

Alongside favourites like okonomiyaki, this year’s menu introduces a Japanese twist on a local festival staple – the spiral-cut “twist potato”, topped with flavours including aonori (seaweed), miso glaze and Japanese mayonnaise.

“It’s the perfect example of how our festival connects local Geelong tastes with authentic Japanese soul,” Ishii said.

“It’s a literal ‘twist’ on tradition that really represents the creative connection between our cultures.”

The festival will take place from 10am to 4pm and is free to attend.