2024 OJCA/OJCC Natsu Matsuri – Japanese Summer Festival
2024/7/6
On July 6, the Embassy participated in Natsu Matsuri (Summer Festival) organized by the Ottawa Japanese Community Centre (OJCC) and the Ottawa Japanese Community Association (OJCA) at Sandy Hill Community Centre in Ottawa. On the day of the event, the rain previously forecasted no longer threatened to fall, and the day turned out to be sunny, making the event a success, with over 1,000 people coming to the venue.
At the opening ceremony, Ambassador Kanji YAMANOUCHI gave opening remarks in which he paid tribute to the efforts of all involved and congratulated the Japanese Canadian community for working together to host this grand event. Remarks were then given by Melissa Kamibayashi, President of OJCA, and Yeti Malavi, President of the Ottawa Chapter of JETAA (JET Programme Alumni Association), who congratulated the community for coming together wonderfully and continuing to provide opportunities for the enjoyment of Japanese culture in Canada.
The entire day was filled with traditional martial arts demonstrations including judo, karate, and Japanese archery, as well as yosakoi dance, bon odori dance, taiko drumming, and a yukata fashion show. Ambassador Yamanouchi and another Japanese diplomat also performed popular songs from Japan and elsewhere to the delight of the audience. Many groups from Montreal and Toronto participated in the sale and display of Japanese food and other Japan-related items, which were very well received. The Embassy set up a booth where visitors could enjoy traditional Japanese festival games such as yo-yo balloon fishing, ring toss, and shape cutting, as well as writing replies to letters sent to Canada by Japanese children. The embassy also promoted the JET Programme, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and touristic information.
This year's Natsu Matsuri was another lively and successful event, with a strong handover to OJCA/OJCC from JETAA Ottawa, which founded and has been managing the event for the past 20 years.
At the opening ceremony, Ambassador Kanji YAMANOUCHI gave opening remarks in which he paid tribute to the efforts of all involved and congratulated the Japanese Canadian community for working together to host this grand event. Remarks were then given by Melissa Kamibayashi, President of OJCA, and Yeti Malavi, President of the Ottawa Chapter of JETAA (JET Programme Alumni Association), who congratulated the community for coming together wonderfully and continuing to provide opportunities for the enjoyment of Japanese culture in Canada.
The entire day was filled with traditional martial arts demonstrations including judo, karate, and Japanese archery, as well as yosakoi dance, bon odori dance, taiko drumming, and a yukata fashion show. Ambassador Yamanouchi and another Japanese diplomat also performed popular songs from Japan and elsewhere to the delight of the audience. Many groups from Montreal and Toronto participated in the sale and display of Japanese food and other Japan-related items, which were very well received. The Embassy set up a booth where visitors could enjoy traditional Japanese festival games such as yo-yo balloon fishing, ring toss, and shape cutting, as well as writing replies to letters sent to Canada by Japanese children. The embassy also promoted the JET Programme, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and touristic information.
This year's Natsu Matsuri was another lively and successful event, with a strong handover to OJCA/OJCC from JETAA Ottawa, which founded and has been managing the event for the past 20 years.
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| Ambassador Yamanouchi gives opening remarks |
Ms. Kamibayashi, President of OJCA, gives her remarks |
Ms. Mallavi, President of JETAA Ottawa, gives her remarks |
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| Performance by the group The Sussex Diplomats (including the Ambassador) |
Embassy booth |
Embassy booth |
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| Performance by Oto-Wa-Taiko |
Performance of Yosakoi by Kochi Yosakoi Ambassador KIZUNA International Team | Audience & guests |