Maybe it’s the energy of Tokyo, the serenity of Kyoto, or the culinary delights of Osaka that have you dreaming of Japan.

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For one day in Emmarentia, that dream came to life at the annual Japanese Spring Festival hosted by the Japanese School of Johannesburg.

Held on October 11, the much-anticipated event was organised by Japanese expats and featured two main components. The first was a celebration of Japanese food and traditional games—nostalgic touches that reminded attendees of home. The second was a vibrant entertainment programme, including performances by the school’s children and an Aikido demonstration by local clubs.

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Kohei Mino, organiser of this year’s festival, noted that while travel to Japan has become somewhat easier, South Africa remains one of the farthest countries from the East Asian island, requiring a full day of travel. “Not everyone gets the chance to go back often, which makes days like this really special,” he explained. “Especially for children, it’s a great opportunity to experience Japanese culture right here in South Africa. It also allows us to share our traditions with the broader community.”

Most attendees were from Emmarentia, where the school is located, along with representatives from various Japanese companies. Each year, South Africa hosts two major Japanese cultural events: this spring festival and the New Year’s Festival held at the Japanese embassy in Pretoria. However, the latter is a closed event reserved for Japanese nationals.

Mino expressed his gratitude for the strong turnout, saying the festival was the result of three months of preparation. “It’s really appreciated that we can be here and for the school to be situated here, in this community. We would really like to prolong this great relationship.”

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