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As Karachi’s oppressive summer began to relent and give way to its painfully short winter, cheerful dances in a sunlit garden, traditional activities from the Land of the Rising Sun, and the warmth of cross-cultural interactions came together like a closing ceremony for aummer at this year’s Japan Fest on Friday.

Hosted by the Japan Consulate, in collaboration with the Pakistan-Japan Business Forum and Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association Sindh (PCJA), the annual event brought together people of all ages at Beach Luxury.

At the — literal — centre stage was a yagura, a raised platform people dance around at Obon festivals, usually held in August in Japan to commemorate one’s ancestors.

The festival dance, called Bon Odori, graced the stage. As tradition dictates, performers gathered around the yagura, though the dance varies regionally within Japan.

This was followed by J-pop performances by Japanese street-dance group Atsushi Crew. They are also making an appearance at the ongoing World Culture Festival at the Arts Council of Pakistan on Sunday, followed by a hip-hop workshop the next day.

As if the crew’s radiant smiles and energy were not enough, add children dancing around the stage with the performers, and you couldn’t help but feel the joy of the festival. The crew also donned Japanese happis: loose, lightweight coats with symbols traditionally worn at festivals.

‘Paprika’ by renowned Japanese singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu was somehow reminiscent of childhood, while anime fans grooved to his more recent ‘Iris Out’, among other songs played during the performances.

See, that’s the thing with good music; you don’t have to understand the lyrics to enjoy it.

It was particularly heartwarming to see children from various non-profit organisations in attendance, including Akhuwat, NJV and the Kiran Foundation, in the true spirit of a public festival and not just a fancy event.

And of course, a Japanese cultural event these days must include a cosplay contest. Japan’s Consul General Hattori Masaru, with Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi as the chief guest, awarded the cash prizes to the three winners of the contest.

Masaru himself was dressed as a samurai (warriors from pre-industrial Japan), proudly representing his country’s history.

While the more elaborate ones, such as Qifrey from Witch Hat Atelier and Mikasa Ackerman from Attack on Titan, claimed the prizes, others were happy to represent their favourite characters — recognisable from afar like Anya and Yor from Spy X Family.

The event also featured several stalls, including one where you could experience the Tanabata festival custom of hanging handwritten wishes called tanzaku. At the same stall were traditional Japanese games, including kendama — a wooden toy with a ball attached to a string meant to be flipped and caught.

One of the most popular stalls was the water calligraphy one, where attendees were provided a sample of how to write your name in Japanese, which they could then replicate and add fun stamps to. One could write other phrases too; an elderly man at the event wrote, “Long live Pak-Japan friendship”.

Members of the Pakistan Bonsai Society and Indus Sogetsu Study Group had their own stalls of bonsai and Ikebana — refined arts of growing trees and of arranging flowers. The original Ikenobo branch had its own display of Ikebana.

University-goers had a stake in the event too — Habib University’s Multiverse and IBA’s Anipop societies — which organise their own comic-cons each year — added their expertise, bringing more traditional games to the mix, including yo-yo tsuri. Multiverse members expressed their excitement about collaborating at the event and were already planning for their next HUCon.

Other stalls included takoyaki (a ball-shaped snack with wheat batter and meat), a teriyaki dish by Avari’s Fujiyama restaurant, and chana chaat for those who preferred a local taste.

Speaking at the event, Consul General Masaru noted that the festival provided an opportunity for people from both nations to learn about each other’s cultures and to further bolster ties between the two countries.

In his remarks as the chief guest, Governor Nehal Hashmi highlighted Tokyo’s technological advancements and innovations, noting how familiar Japanese brand names have been in the Pakistani market, such as Toyota, Datsun, Honda and Fujifilm.

He even praised the people of Japan for their honesty and principled stances. “They do not lie […] they do not know what a lie is. They always stand with justice, truth, progress and prosperity.”

The governor urged Pakistanis to seek inspiration from Japanese people for their sense of cleanliness and honesty. Lauding Japan’s culture, including their use of chopsticks rather than forks and spoons, Hashmi urged the young to be proud of their heritage and to learn how Japan continues to develop.

At last, the event’s closing and the sunset came together harmoniously to mark the day’s end. Birds heading to their nests above the creek and festive lanterns splashing bright orange hues against the trees painted a serene picture for attendees.