Missed the annual Bon Odori at Shah Alam earlier this month? Well, Johorians can rejoice! There’s still a chance to enjoy the fun and excitement of a Japanese festival without heading to smog-filled Kuala Lumpur, because the Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia (JAGAM) is organizing their very own Bon Odori festival at Eco Botanic Show Village in Nusajaya this weekend!
The Bon Odori at Eco Botanic Show Village, Nusajaya will be held on 19 September 2015 (Saturday). Visitors can enter the venue from 3.00pm, although the official opening will be at 5.00pm with activities and performances ongoing until 10.00pm.
Transportation
Visitors who are planning to drive to the venue are encouraged to carpool and follow the instructions on Waze. Parking is available by the roadside outside Eco Botanic Show Village, or at EduCity Sports Complex where buggy ferrying services is provided. RELA and traffic control personnel will be there to handle the flow of traffic. Alternatively, visitors can take the free shuttle bus service provided by the organisers at AEON Permas Jaya and AEON Bukit Indah.
Schedule for shuttle bus service (Image from Bon Odori by JAGAM Facebook page)
Coupon booklet & lucky draw ticket
Admission to the event is free, but you can pre-order their coupon booklet at RM 20 per set, which includes 4 x RM5 cash vouchers and a lucky draw ticket. You can also purchase a lucky draw ticket without the cash voucher for RM 5 each. The coupon booklets are only available for pre-order before the event (19/9) via the Bon Odori by JAGAM Facebook page.
Don’t worry if you miss out on buying them prior to the event; you can still use cash to purchase food and drinks along with the lucky draw tickets.
Coupon booklets can be purchased only via pre-order ((Image from Bon Odori by JAGAM Facebook page)
Food, drinks, games… and a trip to Japan!
You can use the cash vouchers to purchase delicious food and drinks sold at the event, take part in fun traditional Japanese games such as Goldfish Scooping and Quoits, as well as try your hand at the Japanese art and craft stalls. There will also be a Mochi Tsuki ceremony where you can see how yummy mochi (Japanese rice cake) is made! Of course, don’t forget the main Bon Odori dance, as well as enjoy a variety of stunning Japanese traditional dance performances, including the energetic Taiko drum performance.
If you purchase the coupon booklet, you also get a lucky draw ticket. Alternatively, you can purchase the lucky draw tickets for RM 5 each. Why is this such a big deal? Because the grand prize is a return ticket to Tokyo!
Bon Odori by JAGAM
19 September 2015 (Saturday)
3.00pm – 10.00pm
Eco Botanic Show Village, Nusajaya
*The following photos are taken from the Bon Odori by JAGAM Facebook page.
Mochi Tsuki ceremony demonstrating how Japanese mochi is made
Cute Japanese boys wearing their traditional yukata outfits
Taiko drum performance
Eat, drink and be merry!
Ladies in traditional Japanese yukata performing the Bon Odori dance
Missed the Bon Odori Festival celebrations? No worries! If you’re looking for some family fun in Nusajaya, do check out Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and Legoland before heading to Singapore.
