One does not have to travel to another country to get to know its people and culture. Summer festivals being organized by embassies of several nations and other groups in Tokyo in the coming weeks can offer that taste of life abroad.
For years, embassies of many Asian nations have been holding festivals targeted mostly at their own expat communities in Japan. But recently, they have shifted the focus to more exchanges with local residents.
Last year, Tokyo-based Nippon International Nongovernmental Organization (NINGO) held the "Ajitomo 50" event. With the slogan "Let's make 50 friends from Asia," an estimated 80,000 people — including participants from 35 Asian nations — took part in the two-day event at Ueno Park in October.