As mentioned before in the blog post ‘A historic bond: Dutch Japanese relations’, the bonds that already exist for 426 years were celebrated in Amstelveen on June 28. The atmosphere was very lively and the food that was on offer was delicious. The presence of corporations like Mitsubishi and Nintendo shows that the event is considered an important podium for sharing Asian and Japanese culture and products.
The participation of Japanese Studies of Leiden University and the Japanese Embassy added academic and diplomatic depth to the event. Building on this, future editions could perhaps also include book sellers to cater to those interested in information about Japan, its history, and its culture.
Perhaps some room could then also be given to Japanese cosmetics, manga and anime artists, wishing bells, and other typical cultural items. A more immersive experience and more visitor engagement could be achieved through interactive activities and cultural workshops.
The event was very well attended. So much so that queuing became unavoidable. Next time the visitor flow could perhaps be increased with separate entrance and exit locations, and by creating more walking space.
But these are, of course, only minor suggestions. Overall, the event proved to be a great success. It definitely meets the growing interest in Japanese and Asian culture, as demonstrated by the large attendance and the engaged audience. The festival already has a strong foundation, which in future can be turned into an even more varied and immersive experience by blending its popularity with in-depth representation of Japanese culture.
Bronnen:
Japan Festival 2026 – japanfestival.nl
Japan Festival 2026 op het Handelsplein Amstelveen – MijnAmstelveen