2023 Annual JapanFest Festival Event- Experience Japan (Japanese Food & Beer Garden, Live Taiko, Music Performance, Dance, Games..) 2 DaysNEW

JapanFest now celebrating 35 years, is one of the largest Japanese festivals in the country that celebrates Japanese culture. JapanFest will feature taiko drum concerts and traditional Japanese dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, cultural workshops, children's games, Japanese food and beer garden, contemporary and traditional musical performances, and so much more. JapanFest is a great chance to immerse visitors, together with their family and friends, in all things Japanese!

JapanFest is a joint production brought to you by the Japan-America Society of Georgia and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia with the support of the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta.

Festival Event Dates
Sept 16-17, 2023 (2 Days)

Event Times
Sat: 10 am - 6 pm
Sat: 10 am - 5 pm

Tickets

FAQ Event Information

Where does this event take place?
JapanFest has expanded in 2023 with larger space, improved layout and traffic flow, more entrance and exit points, and venue access to the different parts of the festival. The address is: 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097

What are the parking details and directions?
Event Parking Rates: $5.00 PDF parking passes will be emailed out after purchase. Pre-paid passes must be presented when entering the lot either via hard copy or mobile. All parking passes are valid for a single-vehicle space. Parking does not allow reentry on the event days. Vehicles will be charged $5 per entry each time. On-site paid parking is available by credit card upon arrival. Directions Parking Tips Accessible Parking Available on a first-come, first-serve basis Handicapped parking is available in all Gas South Convention Center lots. All spaces require a valid permit to be displayed at all times. Please note that Gas South Convention Center no longer provides trolley service.

Will I be able to share tickets with family or friends?
Yes. Purchasers will be able to transfer mobile tickets to others after tickets have been delivered and before the festival. Each ticket may only be scanned at the gate once for admission. You will need to have an AXS account in order to transfer tickets to other spectators.

What are your wheelchair and service animal policies?
Gas South District is happy to provide wheelchair escorts for guests with special needs. This service is free and can be requested via our Guest Services team. Pets are not permitted inside the festival area due to Health Department regulations. We must strictly enforce this policy due to the food sales associated with JapanFest. Wheelchair escorts are available upon request at main entry points. Please be aware there may be a short wait while we assist other guests. So that we may assist multiple guests, please be aware that our staff will not remain with you during the event, nor are you allowed to remain in the wheelchair for the duration of the event. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” Service animals are welcome inside the Gas South District. A service animal must be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual's disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal's safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. Service animals will rest in the seating area of the individual with a disability, rather than in the aisle. A guest whose service animal poses a threat to the safety of other guests and employees may be asked to escort the animal off the premises. Animals that simply provide emotional comfort do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Therefore, Emotional Support Animals (ESA's) are not permitted inside the Gas South District.

What is your bag policy?
"To create a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests, the following safety and security measures are implemented at JapanFest Atlanta 2023. Approved bags - Clear vinyl, plastic, or PVC bags - Diaper bags & medically necessary items - Small bags Non-Approved bag - Suitcases * Random checks will be performed."

Organizers
Co-organized by JapanFest, Inc., The Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia), and supported by the Consulate General of Japan.

Mission
The mission of JapanFest is to improve understanding and appreciation of linkages between Japanese and Americans residing in the Southeastern United States through an annual salute to Japanese culture and friendship entitled JapanFest. This celebration will promote multicultural education, encourage social harmony, and ensure the cultural integrity of JapanFest by providing an appropriate mix of authentic contemporary and traditional programs on Japanese art and culture. Activities include a wide variety of performing arts, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and exhibitions. These grassroots efforts are coordinated by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and The Japan-America Society of Georgia, and implemented by a host of community volunteers. JapanFest is committed to organizing a self-sustaining event, supported in part by non-Japanese Chamber of Commerce and non-Japan-America Society of Georgia members, and provides meaningful support to educational endeavors in Georgia.

History
What is now referred to as "JapanFest" began in 1981 as Japan Week, a biannual series of Japan-related cultural events organized by the Consulate-General of Japan that took place around the city of Atlanta. In 1986, the name was changed to JapanFest, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, the Japan America Society of Georgia, and the Consulate General of Japan organized their own events under the title of JapanFest. In 1993, the first Picnic and Sports Day was held at Mercer University. In 1995, Picnic and Sports Day became Japan Day at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. In 1996, JapanFest moved to Stone Mountain Park and became an annual event. In 1997, JapanFest, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit corporation. In 2012, JapanFest had over 17,000 attendees, making JapanFest the largest Japanese festival south of Washington, DC and east of Houston, TX.

Awards
JapanFest was selected as a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2003, 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2019, and was a recipient of the Certificate of Commendation from the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2004 and 2011 for its contributions to the friendship and goodwill between Japan and the United States.

Event Location
Gas South Convention Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097

Event Title
2023 Annual JapanFest Festival Event- Experience Japan (Japanese Food & Beer Garden, Live Taiko, Music Performance, Dance, Games..) 2 Days