The South West Japan Festival brings the music, culture, food and festivities of Japan to the cities of Bunbury, Busselton and Dunsborough.
The South West Japan Festival began in 2018 as a way to celebrate the Sister Cities of Bunbury and Setagaya City. and this year, Bunbury celebrates 32 years as a sister city with Setagaya City. Join us in celebrating everything Japan, from lantern festivals to cooking classes, anime and manga workshops to artist exhibitions, film festivals and the (highly anticipated!) annual stamp rally!
Here’s some of the events that were lined up at the 2024 South West Japan Festival!
– Join the celebrations at Yarri Restaurant + Bar, for a taste of Japan with their own Japanese fine-dining, as well as Japanese sake tasting for all the over 18s!
– Come along for BGMM Japanese Auto Matsuri, a showcase of Japanese cars and motorbikes. Hosted by the Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum. Free to attend and have a look at some incredible vehicles!
– Bunbury Matsuri Day – Where Japanese dancers, musicians, martial art masters and singers take to the main stage. Japanese food trucks bring the flavour of Japan straight into Bunbury, where Queens Gardens in Bunbury will come alive with workshops and markets are available for the whole family!
– Bunbury Floating Lantern Festival – Taking place at Friendship Park in Queens Garden, come along for an afternoon packed with Japanese themed activities, such as making koi kites, listening to Japanese music, trying on kimonos, lolly drops from Kite Kinetics, a smoke ceremony, and buying a lantern to paint/decorate in the spring sunshine. Of course, we can’t forget- Launching the lanterns into the inlet at sunset for a beautiful parade of light.
– Enjoy sushi on the iconic Busselton Jetty Train, and disembark at the end of the world famous landmark for a drumming and Japanese dance performance!
Check out their website for further details, including dates, tickets and more. 2025 dates and events are yet to be announced.
