JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 18-19, 2010, from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10 am to 5 pm (Sunday) at the Convention Center at Gwinnett Center (located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097).

JapanFest, now in its 24th year, is the largest Japanese festival east of Houston and south of Washington, DC, and typically draws crowds exceeding 18,000. Organized by The Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, and the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta, JapanFest is designed to promote understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast.

The theme of this yearfs festival is Discover Japan. The festival will explore the unique aspects of the various regions of the Japanese archipelago. Despite its small size, the eight regions and 47 prefectures of Japan are known for their unique cultures, dialects, art forms, and foods, which will be highlighted at this yearfs festival. The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York Inc. will present a medley of dances from all over Japan, including Iyo Manzai, the five fan dance from Ehime Prefecture, Yagi Bushi, an umbrella dance from Tochigi and Gunma Prefectures, Hanagasa Odori, a flower hat dance from Yamagata Prefecture, and Eisa, a summer festival dance from Okinawa, as well as favorites such as the Shishi Mai (Lion Dance) and Sakura (Cherry Blossoms). Mr. Bunbun as Aishu Kamen, who is joining us all the way from Atlantafs sister city, Fukuoka, Japan, will present his one-man show kids and adults alike are sure to love. Princess Sarah of the planet Cosmos has come down to Earth to search for a strong man who can save her son, who has been swept away by an evil circus troupe. Oh no, the Earth is in danger of exploding! Never fear, Aishu Kamen is here! Can his crazy methods save the prince?? Find out at JapanFest!!
(Information received from the homepage of www.japanfest.org)