Saturday, September 19, 2015
Each year tens of thousands of people descend upon the Gwinnett Center (now known as the Infinite Energy Center) for the annual JapanFest. Everything to do with Japanese art, culture, sports, food and more can be found over the weekend long event and it is very, very popular.
When I arrived the line was out the door and down the sidewalk as people waited for entry. I got to witness sumo wrestling, kyudo (archery), flower design, anime and gaming panels and so much more but by far my favorite was the taiko drum performance. Definitely add it to the list if you are at all interested in immersing yourself in Japanese culture!
Tsuruko Saunders (left) helps Kaori Robinson secure her head piece during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Joon Kang ladles soup into a bowl during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
September 19. 2015 Duluth – Kun Hyuk Lee (left) and Hyun Jun Wang cook noodles during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Carter Gable (top) throws Garrett Bannevans out of the ring in a sumo wrestling demonstration during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Eric Griffin (left) throws Scott Witt out of the ring in a sumo wrestling competition during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Christa Hanson nocks an arrow on her bow string in a kyudo demostration during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Aaron Blackwell draws his bow in a kyudo demostration during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Lillie Phillips (left) and Allie Jones walk towards Anime Village during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Reyna Ghoshal (left) leans against her father Rudro as they shop in Anime Village during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Erica Crews (center) looks at plush anime character dolls during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Victor Kuh (left) makes contact with Hayato DeSouza in a kendo demonstration during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Sayaka Kikuchi beats her taiko drum as she performs on stage during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Keiko Ishikura beats her taiko drum as she performs on stage with her father Takemasa during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Yasuhito Inomata beats his taiko drum as he performs on stage during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Nagatoshi Sagara beats his taiko drum as he performs on stage during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Takemasa Ishikura beats his taiko drum as he performs on stage during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Mayuko Ishikura beats her taiko drum as she performs on stage during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Nagatoshi Sagara (left) beats his taiko drum as he performs on stage during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Sayaka Kikuchi (left), Nagatoshi Sagara and Takemasa Ishikura perform on stage during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Shingo Nashiro (left) performs on stage during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Keiko Ishikura beats her taiko drum as she performs on stage during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Sayaka Kikuchi beats her taiko drum as she performs on stage during JapanFest at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 19, 2015.