Events: A Cat Lovers View on the HYPER JAPAN Festival 2018 at Olympia (London)

Hi everyone,

As some of you may know we’ve only just returned from our annual Japan trip but that won’t stop us from attending the best Japan event of the year in London.

That’s right HYPER JAPAN once again returns to London for the summer and will run this year from FRI 13th – SUN 15th July in Olympia 🙂

Of course we will make sure to take photos of the best cat lover items the event has to offer and based on previous years there will be plenty of this.

Yes those were some very impress statues, figurines and art we found at the last event and we are hoping to meet unique artists again this time around. 🙂

Looking for some super cool and funky DIY project? We FOUND one at the last event! These felt cats were the cats meow to say the least and who knows what you’ll be able to find this year!!! 😀

Of course HYPER JAPAN wouldn’t be complete without browsing the stall of Doki Japanese Tableware. While offering plenty of traditional items they have been stocking a range of items – made in Japan – which appeal to cat lovers. But if you want to get some of these be quick as they generally are HUGELY popular and while Doki has plenty of store some of these may run out with the amount of people visiting the HYPER JAPAN festival.

The event usually also offers a fantastic selection of cat lover apparel and many other lifestyle products via our friends Fuzzballs and Genkigear! Both of them offer a wide selection of items and we sure hope to meet up with them again.

Looking for the purrfect Instagram shot? Don’t worry as there will be at least one if not two cat themed large characters to take photos with! But remember… don’t touch them or you’ll risk the wrath of Hello Kitty. 😉

And even if you are not a cat lover or have to take some of your friends with you that are not into cats (do you have some of those?!?) there is plenty to do and see! Such as the above lid up fishes from the Christmas event last year.

In fact at the last event there was a HUGE array of various amazing objects using shapes and light. So much that we could only share some of our favourites above. 🙂

Below some more great shots from previous events:

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For more details on the line-up for this years’ event please check out the official press release below:

OLYMPIA TURNS JAPANESE THIS SUMMER

HYPER JAPAN Brings Culture, Cuisine & Cool To The Capital

Taking over London’s iconic Olympia exhibition venue from FRI 13th – SUN 15th July, HYPER JAPAN will transform the space into a unique celebration of music, food, drink, fashion, culture and gaming, drawing inspiration from both the traditional and future of Japan.

HYPER JAPAN is the ultimate fusion of contemporary and traditional Japanese culture, cuisine and cool. Expect a sensory overload as the sounds, smells, sights and tastes of this intriguing and exciting culture transport you to another world! With well-known performers, exhibitors, a food festival, and creative workshops to experience, HYPER JAPAN is the ultimate event for Japanophiles and those eager to get their first taste of one of the most coveted travel destinations alike!

Craving some entertainment? This year, guests can indulge in the Japanese favourite – Karaoke! Step into the booth and belt out your best performance either in Japanese or English! In true Japanese style, this is all about giving it some energy, no vocal ability required!

Prefer to bust a move? Take part in the HYPER Bon-Odori Challenge 3000 – a marching inspired folk dance event that everyone will be invited to join after the Friday session at 8PM. Want to practice ahead of time? Check out the how to here.

 

If you’re more of a virtual performer, then check out the expansive HYPER Game & Anime Park where you’ll have the chance to give a nod to nostalgia with a selection of classic retro games on offer. Gaming giant,Nintendo will be showcasing a line-up of quintessentially Japanese Nintendo Switch games that will be playable on site! Give Monster Hunter Generations, Splatoon 2, Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido, OCTOPATH TRAVELER, Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes and SNK HEROINES Tag Team Frenzy a go.

For those wanting a touch of the cool, Cosplay is a must. With numerous exhibitors showcasing the latest in otaku culture, HYPER JAPAN will also be hosting a CosParade and CosTest, as well as running a series of workshops for cosplayers including an outfit repair station and a photo area with props.

J-style enthusiasts are also catered to with the HYPER Kawaii area, which offers a wide selection of clothes, makeup, wigs and accessories inspired by Japanese aesthetics. Make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to browse the fabulous fashion stalls and pick out a fresh, exciting Japanese look for your summer wardrobe!

For those who want a touch of tradition, there are endless workshops and performances on offer to give you a taste of Japan’s heritage and deep rooted culture. Get your DIY on in a Japanese craft workshop, or take in an inspiring martial arts performance.

Have a more modern taste? The HYPER THEATRE is your ‘go to’ for Japanese films, anime and documentaries giving you a sneak peek of more current cultural topics. Meanwhile music lovers won’t be disappointed as a variety of exciting J-Pop & J-Rock acts take to the HYPER Live! Stage.

Finally, foodies will not be disappointed. There’s something to whet every appetite as the stalls of the Eat-Japan Food Court will be offering an array of classic culinary delights – from hot katsu curry to Japanese-style macarons, or more traditional confections such as dorayaki! For the first time ever, the HARRO Food Show will be on site, with numerous traditional Japanese food manufacturers on site opening their booths to the public.

Those who love a Japanese inspired tipple can again take part in voting for their favourite at the Sake Experience with more than 25 different variants on offer to sample. The perfect chance to fall in love with the flavours of this exciting country!

HYPER JAPAN is a truly unique event offering fun, food and culture for the whole family. The UK’s largest celebration of everything Japanese is the perfect destination for those eager to discover more about this exciting destination!

Ticket entry starts from £17

General entry tickets for Friday (12:00 – 20:00) is £17

General ticket entry Saturday AM (09:00 – 14.45) is £19

General ticket Saturday PM (15:30 – 21:00) is £21

Dual Saturday (all day) ticket is £30

General Sunday ticket (all day) is £22

A 3-day pass for the full weekend costs £50

For more information on ticketing, please visit: http://hyperjapan.co.uk/tickets

Still not convinced?!? Well… you really don’t want to miss this as you’ll also have a chance to meet us and get one of our anime style cat keyrings for free if you manage to spot us! Simply tell us the secret phrase – Oliver at HYPER JAPAN. 😉

We hope to see you at the event! 🙂

Thanks,

Marc