Date: 2013 July 27 14:09
Posted by Joe
The good folks from Hyper Japan have sent us details from the first day of their event. The 3 day event's third and final day is Sunday 28th July 2013. There's still lots of fun to be had! Including cosplay, culture and plenty of food.
Full Story
Press release as follows:
Excitement At Earls Court Two As HYPER JAPAN Begins
With Plenty More To Come This Weekend!
Friday 26th July 2013
Earls Court Two, London
HYPER JAPAN, the UK's biggest celebration of Japanese culture, cuisine and cool, opened today at Earls Court Two to crowds of excited visitors who formed a long queue prior to doors opening, eager to check out the event's latest exhibitors in gaming, anime, fashion, music, food, drink and more. Bringing both traditional and contemporary Japan to the heart of London, the first day of HYPER JAPAN 2013 has already demonstrated the event's huge offering, showcasing something for everyone, from the dedicated Japanophile to those not so familiar with Japanese culture.
Some of today's highlights include:
Stage performance
Techno troupe SIRO-A is taking to the main stage today to perform their vibrant and futuristic fusion show that sees them interact with technology in a never before seen way. While fans of J-rock were treated to a performance by rising Visual-kei stars VANIRU, who wowed fans with their self-described 'day-dreamy alternative rock', inspired by retro eighties and nineties elements.
Also performing today was new dynamic Kimono cosplay J-Pop duo Yanakiku, who will continue to entertain visitors throughout the weekend with their trademark catchy melodies and dance routines.
Entertainment
Exclusively at HYPER JAPAN 2013, gaming giant Nintendo are celebrating the launch of Pikmin 3, recreating their very own Animal Crossing Town and offering visitors the chance to get their hands on exclusive Nintendo content in the Nintendo Multiplayer Lounge.
In addition, UK anime fans are thrilled to see the new anime streaming site, Daisuki.net, as well as the Japanese film specialist Third Window Films and also Bandai Namco who are at the event to give gamers the chance to preview their latest game, TALES OF XILLA, ahead of its release on the 9th of August.
Food & Drink
At Taste Japan, the seats are full of visitors during the demonstrations, as sushi and sake experts show their tips to visitors. Demonstrations include sushi making and how to turn your home into an Izakaya pub. Free sampling of various alcohol including Japanese wine and whisky also attracted many visitors.
With enticing street food stalls offering samples of authentic tastes, and a range of quirky confectionary available, such as Takoyaki, the tasty ball; Matcha ice cream; Kakigori, the Japanese version of Slush Puppie, Taiyaki; the read bean cake with seabream shape; various Japanese flavoured Kit-Kat and many more, the options are endless!
In addition, today was also the first day of the Sake Experience, which offered attendees the chance to taste more than 25 sake labels including 2-time winner 'Dassai'. Visitors meet sake brewers and sommeliers who take time to explain and pour sake to each visitor.
For those wanting to taste the Sake Experience and Sushi Awards this weekend tickets are available on the door.
Technology
Japanese technology is synonymous with innovation and returning exhibitor ITK did not disappoint! Introducing the latest developments to the 'Handroid', visitors were invited on stage to control the hand and demonstrate the amazing ground-breaking robotics.
Japanese Culture
With a host of diverse artisans and practitioners attending this year's HYPER JAPAN, visitors were treated to a glimpse of long-established traditions kept alive in modern Japan. In particular, the tatami booth offers visitors a unique insight into the daily life of a geisha, from their training to the art of getting ready, as well as talks and performances by Sayuki - the first western geisha - and her geisha sisters. At the end of the day a selection of lucky visitors will be invited to be entertained by the geisha.
Fashion
One area receiving a lot of attention was the Tokyo Style Make Over where visitors were able to try out a new look of their own and learn the secrets to creating the Sweet Lolita, Lolita, Gyaru or Shironuri style.
MORE TO COME!
HYPER JAPAN 2013 continues to run at Earls Court Two until Sunday 28th July with many more exciting things to come! Including 'A talk with the creators of KURATAS Giant Robots' presented by the Japan Media Arts Festival (Sat) who will discuss how they created a world sensation by building a robot that's controlled by a human in the cockpit; The next J-Pop sensation after fashion icon Kyary Pamu Pamu, Yun*Chi (Sat & Sun); the Tokyo Fashion Story Fashion Show (Sat & Sun); a host of martial arts displays ranging from Judo to Kendo and the HYPER JAPAN Record Breakers (Sat) in collaboration with Yutaka, involving an attempt to break the world record and get the most coffee beans into a mug in one-minute using just a pair of wooden chopsticks!