Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is getting ready to host the North American International Yosakoi Festival next weekend for the second year in a row. Taking place Sept. 19 and 20, the event will once again bring together performers, cultural ambassadors and guests for a weekend celebrating Japanese culture, dance, creativity and international friendship. Yosakoi is a type of high-energy Japanese dance often performed at festivals. Twelve teams from Canada, the United States and Japan will be taking part. “It was wonderful to have the first-ever one last year because it really was the focus point of showing something new that’s never been done here before, and the attendance was incredible on top of it, but also just the culture and the vibe that went along with it,” said Eric Granson with Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. “Everyone was so excited and happy, and, overall, the community sense of pride for the actual event was really showcased with everybody cheering it on and being a part of it.” “Nikka Yuko has a really, really, really strong relationship with Japan and Canada and this building—the Bunka Centre—itself already has the similar concept that we want to showcase in Japanese culture,” said Tomoyuki Honda, director with the North American International Yosakoi Festival. The event is free to attend.
