Annual Japan Festival begins at 10 a.m. Saturday in Salt Lake City

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The 11th annual Nihon Matsuri Japan Festival will share Japanese culture and traditions with Utah communities through unique activities and entertainment for all ages on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The festival, located at Japantown Street, 100 South between 200 and 300 West in Salt Lake City, is open to the public and admission is free.

The Japanese Church of Christ Kenshin Taiko Drum Group will kick off the morning with a rousing performance that will be followed by opening remarks from Salt Lake City and County dignitaries, according to a press release.

This year's featured guest is Taikoza with Taiko, Shakuhachi, Shinobue. The international group from New York features soulful Shakuhachi music with powerful and ancestral Taiko drums, bamboo flutes, and is accompanied by a dance ensemble.

The festival will also feature traditional tea ceremonies, Anime, Japanese dance, martial arts demonstrations, Taiko drumming, a kimono fashion show and Japanese-American history exhibits. A variety of Japanese specialty food will also be available, including sushi, teriyaki chicken, beef sukiyaki, manju and much more.

Throughout the years, this springtime festival has drawn thousands of people to downtown Salt Lake, evidence that Japanese American history, culture, and traditions are best shared through live performances and onsite experiences.

"The Salt Lake Japanese American community is proud to present its 11th annual Nihon Matsuri spring festival," said Marion Hori, festival spokesperson. "The festival will have wonderful Japanese food, music, martial arts and dance performances, and is always a wonderful opportunity for families to experience this exciting culture."

Nihon Matsuri was introduced in 2005 by Floyd Mori, National JACL Director, as a way to also pass on the Japanese traditions and culture to younger generations of Japanese Americans and to help them identify with their heritage.