A feast for the senses awaits visitors at the biggest Japan Summer Festival, held in conjunction with the 10th edition of the Sports Hub Community Play Day, at the National Stadium on 8 and 9 September. The stadium premises will be transformed into a gigantic festival ground with more than 100 Japanese F&B, games, and merchandise booths as well as a center stage featuring 25 sensational stage performances by 24 groups and organisations from Japan and Singapore.

These performances include:

• Taiko drum performance – an ancient Japanese percussion using large drums;
• Yosakoi – a unique style of dance typically performed at festivals in Japan;
• Domobics – an aerobics dance performance named after the beloved Domo, official mascot of Japan's public broadcaster NHK; and
• the distinctive Hawaiian Hula dance performance amongst many others.

Sue Kealohiokalani Mayuzumi, who leads the Japanese Association of Singapore’s Hula Dance Group, said,

“The Summer Festival is a huge event for the Japanese Association. This year’s event is particularly special because of its venue at the Singapore Sports Hub. It marks a milestone in how the Summer Festival connects both the Japanese and local communities here in Singapore. I know many in the Japanese community who have not been to the National Stadium, and they’re excited at the prospect of attending the festival at this venue. Among my students, we represent Japanese, Hawaiians, and Singaporeans. Majority of my students are Japanese and most of them have experienced the festival in Japan. Hence, I believe they can bring that experience to enliven the atmosphere here in Singapore.”

Authentic Japanese stalls

Apart from the authentic Japanese F&B stalls serving dishes typically associated with festivals, visitors can also shop from a colourful array of Japanese merchandise including anime-related products, cosmetics and skin care products, tote bags, stationary, origami earrings, pre-packed snacks, toys, French-inspired hats, handmade spoon kits, artisanal accessories, and many more (details in Annex B).

Photo Credit: The Japanese Association, Singapore

Domo and Pikachu Meet-and-Greet Sessions

Besides the onstage entertainment, visitors can get the chance to meet with Domo and Pikachu in action and snap a picture with them in the meet-and-greet sessions, on a first-come-first-served basis over the 2-day event.

Thrilling games to keep the whole family entertained

There are three main game zones to keep the whole family entertained - the Pokémon Carnival zone, the Sports Hub Community Play Day – Fun on Wheels! zone, and the Japanese Association’s Game Corner. The carnival features several Pokémon-themed game stations and machines, where participants can test their hand-eye coordination skills in games including “Let’s Battle Pikachu”, “Squirtle Yo Rescue” and “Gengar Shadow Ball”.

The Japanese Association’s Game Corner

At the Japanese Association’s Game Corner, there are five booths featuring traditional Summer Festival favourites including Yo-Yo Tsuri, a game involving fishing for water balloons using a frail paper string with a hook; Shateki, a game where participants can shoot their target prizes to win them; and Senbonbiki, a game where participants can choose from a multitude of strings to pull, to see if he or she can win prizes.

Photo Credit: The Japanese Association, Singapore

“Fun on Wheels!” theme

The Sports Hub Community Play Day will be taking place concurrently on the National Stadium grounds, with activities taking on a “Fun on Wheels!” theme. Visitors can relive the arcade glory days with 90s car racing video game Daytona and Initial D. Other popular Japanese-made arcade games include Dance Dance Revolution and Bishi Bashi.

Singapore GP F1 Roving Truck

Besides arcade games, a Singapore GP F1 Roving Truck will be on site inside the National Stadium, for participants to test out the reflexes of car racing enthusiasts in our simulators. There will also be giant versions of popular group games such as Twister, Snakes & Ladders, and Pick-Up Sticks.

Photo Credit: Singapore Sports Hub

Japanese-themed games

The Sports Hub Community Play Day zone will also comprise Japanese-themed games such as Hanetsuki, a game resembling badminton, but played without a net; Ohajiki, a game involving flicking small, coin-shaped pieces called with one’s fingers, to hit other pieces; Otedama, a game where the challenge is to toss and grab small bean bags.

Keeping active through fun-play, sports and fitness activities

Fitness buffs can look forward to the J-Party Fitness mass workouts conducted by Japanese instructors. The programme comprises popular routines such as Zumba, Salsation, and Kardioblast, and it will take place from 1 pm to 3 pm on both days with fitness packs up for grabs.

Photo Credit: The Japanese Association, Singapore

Each day will conclude with the Bon Odori dance, where participants can take part in the traditional dance while wearing the Yukata. For more information on the Japan Summer Festival, please visit here.