In 2009, an estimated 80,000 visitors gathered to peruse the goods of 30 vendors. More than 10,000 product samples and 450 food samples were sold within four to six hours. Approximately 200,000 people partook in the shopping and food eating festivities. What was going on?

Spectators at JapanTown in New York.

JapanTown was happening.

Due to the enormous success it had witnessed the previous year as the NYC Japan Street Fair, it was brought back under the new name JapanTown in hopes of continuing to give New York City a taste of true Japanese culture.

Bad luck comes in threes, but this summer, that isn’t the case.

Cosplayers at Japan Town.

To celebrate, in the next three months, three festivals will be held in the East Village, Midtown and Upper East Side, each focusing on a different aspect of Japanese culture: Japanese “cool” culture, Japanese healthy food, and Japanese soul food, respectively. JapanTown will bring together local businesses and common household brands, so that the people of NYC can truly experience and gain a better appreciation of the New York Japanese community.

The first of the three is the Cool Japan festival, which starts on July 17th in the East Village. NYC’s unofficial Japan Town, it will showcase the various aspects of Japanese culture that make it “cool.” Here, visitors can find anything from Japanese robots to antiques to yummy tidbits to eat while participating in the Japanese street fashion contest. Winners will receive a prize from a JapanTown sponsor.

JapanTown cosplayers.

Following that is the Healthy Food & Green festival on August 22nd in Midtown. A variety of wholesome dishes and organic produce can be sampled, which will be provided for by Souen Noodle restaurant, Suzuki Farm, Marukome, and Kikkoman.

Some of the vendors at JapanTown.

Udon galore at JapanTown.

Lastly, in the Upper East Side on September 26th, experience Japanese soul food. Authentic foods representing various parts of Japan will be presented. They range from Kyushu grilled tonton pork to Japanese curry to konjac. Regional produce from agricultural government Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost island, will also be available for taste.

Mochitsuki at JapanTown.

Taiko drums at JapanTown.

Food to eat, stuff to buy, New York City. What more could you ask for?

DETAILS

For more information, please visit www.nyjapantown.org.

Cool Japan Festival
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Fourth Avenue between 8th and 10th Streets

Healthy Food & Green Festival
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Madison Avenue between 43rd and 45th Streets

Soul Food Festival
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Lexington Avenue between 93rd and 96th Streets

Nothing says spring like cherry blossoms. And if you’re in the East Coast this weekend, you’re in luck. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which has more than 200 Japanese flowering cherry trees — the most diverse array outside Japan — will be holding its annual Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival. On May 1 and 2, come out and join tens of thousands as they revel in spring’s most picturesque display.

Cherry blossom blooms. Photo by Joseph O. Holmes.

But it’s not just a botanical wonderland. The festival has evolved into a celebration of the best of both traditional and contemporary Japanese arts and culture — and you know what that means. Cosplay! Short for “costume play,” cosplay has become an integral part of any celebration of Japanese culture. Gawk at lush cherry blossoms and cosplayers alike, all while enjoying dance, martial arts, food, manga, workshops, demonstrations, and guided tours of the Garden’s Japanese-inspired plant collections.

Revelers in cosplay at Sakura Matsuri. Photo by Joseph O. Holmes.

Cherry blossoms at Sakura Matsuri. Photo by Joseph O. Holmes.

There’s a lot going on in just a weekend, but highlights include:

* Traditional taiko drumming, as well as the more modern COBU, a taiko drum-meets-rhythmic footwork team founded by and featuring members of STOMP!

Taiko drum team COBU.

Soh Daiko.

* Concerts by Brooklyn-based Japanese gypsy rock band Kagero

Kagero.

* Thrilling karate demonstrations and original action drama by Samurai Sword Soul

Samurai Sword Soul.

Cosplayers.

* One of the more popular events is the Sakura J-Lounge, which has been expanded to feature even more manga, anime, and cosplay culture,

Manga Maven Misako Rocks!

including a “high tea” for the Victorian maidens and boho Bo-Peeps; a para para party with New York’s best anime dancers; and a stunning fashion show that demonstrates how creative cosplay can be.

And of course, there’ll be plenty of traditional Japanese arts and music like ikebana (flower arranging) and Japanese cuisine.

Japanese hot pot.

Faux flower making from reusables.

Visitors at Sakura Matsuri. Photo by Jason Gardner.

For festival hours, admission and schedule, check out the festival’s official site.

All photos courtesy of Brooklyn Botanic Garden.