CJMY
The Japanese Summer Festival is back, bringing a vibrant fusion of Japanese traditions and local culture to the heart of Ipoh.
This annual event, celebrated in conjunction with the Ipoh Visit Festival and Visit Perak Year 2024, honours the long-standing friendship between Ipoh and its sister city, Fukuoka.
As part of the government’s efforts to promote Visit Perak Year 2024 and build momentum towards Visit Malaysia Year 2026, the festival promises an unforgettable cultural experience.
A showcase of Ipoh’s cultural readiness
Mayor Dato’ Rumaizi bin Baharin @ Md Daud officially launched the Japanese Summer Festival at Lorong Seni @ Lorong Panglima, Ipoh, marking a significant step towards positioning Ipoh as an international creative hub.
“The aim is to let the world know that Ipoh is prepared to be a creative city,” he said, highlighting the city’s potential as a centre for cultural events.
The festival, held over two days, is part of broader initiatives to internationalise Ipoh and enhance its appeal as a top tourist destination.
The festival not only showcases Japanese culture but also highlights the rich diversity of Perak.
Visitors were treated to captivating performances by various ethnic communities, adding a unique local flavour to the event.
Over 300 attendees, both locals and tourists, enjoyed the festivities, which featured everything from traditional Japanese games and toys to cultural performances and souvenir stalls.
Reviving the Ipoh-Fukuoka Connection
The Japanese Summer Festival also serves as a platform to revive and strengthen the connection between Ipoh and Fukuoka.
One of the festival’s highlights was the announcement that the student exchange programme between the two cities, which began in 2017 but was halted during the pandemic, will resume this year.
“We are resuming the programme as we want Ipoh to be an international standard city,” Rumaizi stated, emphasising the importance of international exchanges in achieving this goal.
In addition to the cultural events, the festival featured a booth by the Fukuoka City Hall, providing insights into the ongoing cultural exchange and partnerships between Ipoh and Fukuoka.
The collaboration between PSTPA, Kangda, and Nijigen Expo, one of Southeast Asia’s largest organisers of Anime, Comics, and Games (ACG) events, further highlights the festival’s commitment to cultural enrichment and international cooperation.
Held at the Sunway Lost World of Tambun, the Japanese Summer Festival offers a truly immersive experience that blends Japanese tradition with the vibrant energy of Ipoh.
Families, culture enthusiasts, and tourists can enjoy a variety of activities, including a Japanese music concert, cosplay events, children’s theatre games, and yukata and kimono sales and rentals.
A colourful balloon show added to the festivities, making it a must-visit event for all.
In closing, the Japanese Summer Festival not only celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Japan and Malaysia but also sets the stage for future international events in Ipoh.
“This is also a starting point for Ipoh to prepare for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026, where we need to be ready to welcome more tourists,” Rumaizi added, reinforcing the city’s commitment to becoming a global cultural hub.
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