How can I be involved?

You can apply as many categories as you want - you will need to send registrations separately under each categories and the separate fees (if applicable) will apply.

City-wide Activation

Any businesses (restaurants, cafe, shops, bars and venue) with a physical location in Wellington region can join The Toyota Japan Festival Wellington this year! City-wide activation will run for the week of 14-22 September 2024. We’ll have an online & physical city-map to show which businesses are participating and what they are providing.

We are also looking to run a fun interactive activity (such as stamp rally - TBC) to invite and encourage the public to visit your shops, along with an advertisement on our website, facebook, Instagram, alongside other communications from partners such as Embassy of Japan & WCC at extra cost. Please enquire if you are interested. You do not have to be a Japanese-related shops or Japanese to participate, however adding an essence of Japan is essential! Here are some ideas to get you started:

RESTAURANTS & CAFES… could offer Japanese themed recipes such as Matcha or Sakura flavoured Latte, incorporate Yuzu or Dashi flavours in your menu, or make limited time Sushi, Ramen or other delicious Japanese (themed) food - yum!

‍YOU CAN HIGHLIGHT… Japanese authors if you are a book shop, Japan-made goods or Japanese-inspired design or clothing if you are a clothes boutique, homeware store, or art shop.

‍YOU CAN DECORATE WITH… omiyage (souvenirs) from Japan or anything Japanese related you have! Don’t worry if you don’t have any - you can make cheap and easy paper decorations such as Origami Cranes, or Shuriken (what Ninja uses).

‍WEAR Kimono, cosplay or your Japanese-designer clothes.Unsure if they are Japanese or other Asian cultures? Ask us at trust@japanfestivalwellington.org

HOST PERFORMERS
Businesses are also invited to host performers at your venue if you have an appropriate setting or space to do so. The Trust will make an introduction to any appropriate performer(s) that suit your venue and will facilitate connections - we will leave the rest to you! Shops/venues who are hosting performers will feature more on our media if they are selected to perform at the Michael Fowler Centre. If you have any questions, please contact us at trust@japanfestivalwellington.org

performers

The selected performers* will have a chance to perform at one of the most iconic venues in Wellington - Michael Fowler Center (MFC). The auditorium sits approximately 2,000 people and the acoustics are absolutely beautiful. 

The auditorium for performances will start from 2pm, ending at 6pm. We will provide a basic AV system such as microphone, lighting and the others (specific items are still TBC). Participation fee is free.

*selected performers mean we will do a pre-recorded curation or prior audition to select performers as our performance time this year is shorter than usual due to venue arrangements.

Important notice

Due to the inflation of labour, venue, and everything else in between, costs have increased. While we work extremely hard to get funding and sponsorship, running this level of festival comes with an extremely high price.

We truly appreciate any donations for those who have made enough profit at the festival, want to be featured more so willing to pay extra, or are a true believer of the festival. 

This will go towards the running cost of the festival, and to secure the future of the festival. The next festival is never promised. We will honour your kind koha by prioritising you at the next festival as a thank-you! Arigato for your understanding and if you are willing to do so, please do let us know trust@japanfestivalwellington.org

30 years with Sakai-City

Michael Fowler Center

Festival Day takes place 14th September with stalls and exhibitions at the Michael Fowler Centre on Promenades, Renouf Foyer, and on the ground floor.
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‍Stall fees:
Non-profitable communities $60 half stand / $120 full stand
Profitable communities $140 half stand / $280 full stand
$enquire for unique sizes / negotiation possible
Sales of alcohol - TBC ($1500+)

‍Extras:
‍$10 double-sided FOGO$15 triple-sided FOGO

As a full stand, you will receive:
* 3 x 2.5m space with two trestle tables (1.8m long each) and black cloths
* A power station and its tag checks. You can use the power for low-appliances like changing your phone or for lighting
* Signage of your stall (please return at the end of the festival as we will be reusing them in the years to come!)

We can also provide FOGO at an extra cost, which is a velcro-style stand at the back of your stall. You can have one double ($10) or triple sided ($15) FOGO per stall. The numbers are limited so this is offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Please make sure to select FOGO preferences on your registration form.

If you select “Half-stand” you will be paired up with another stall to share the space. You may choose your own partner if you wish to do so. If you need a bigger space than a full stand, please enquire to our Stalls team for pricing and to discuss further.

*The detail may change but if so we will communicate with you clearly.