ACTIVITY AND FOOD TENTS

1. ACTIVITY TENTS

	KIMONO & YUKATA -- New York Japanese American Lions Club
At this tent, visitors can try on Kimono and Yukata, assisted by member of the New York Japanese American Lions Club. Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 205 countries and geographic areas who have joined together to strive to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world.

ROBOT SUMO BATTLE -- Dr. Robot Inc.

At this tent visitors can participate in a robot sumo battle with whimsical robots created by Dr. Robot. The mission of Dr. Robot Inc. is to enhance children’s curiosity towards mathematics and science, naturally through play and hands-on experiments. Dr. Robot Club provides children with opportunities to make things by hand, a rare opportunity nowadays. Children will experience the joy of creating real things and competing in real games, NOT video games.

TRADITIONAL TOYS -- Tokyo-Frost Valley YMCA Partnership

At this tent, visitors can play with Japanese traditional toys such as Kendama (bilboquet) and Koma (spinning top).The Tokyo-Frost Valley Partnership, established in 1979, serves the Japanese community in the tri-state area through youth and family programs. It began with the objective of creating YMCA programs for Japanese families, bringing them together with American families to make their stay in a foreign country more enjoyable and to bring the two communities together. Today, the Partnership is made up of more than 2,000 participants who enjoy a variety of services.

TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS-- Carnegie Hall / Soh Daiko

Visitors can experience and play Japanese musical instruments and see two taiko presentations. Carnegie Hall has been the premier classical music performance space in the United States since its opening in 1891. Carnegie Hall’s mission is to present extraordinary music and musicians on its three stages. In December 2010 and spring 2011, Carnegie Hall presents JapanNYC, a citywide festival led by Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa, exploring the incredible diversity of Japanese arts and culture with more than 40 performances and events at Carnegie Hall and New York City partner venues. Formed in 1979 at the New York Buddhist Church, Soh Daiko was the first taiko group on the East Coast. Soh Daiko's concert at Carnegie Hall next spring includes traditional pieces from the Shinto music tradition, as well as original compositions by members of Soh Daiko. In addition to taiko drums, the group also plays bamboo flute, brass bells, conch shells, and gongs.

YO YO FISHING -- Japan Local Government Center / Japan Society

At this tent children can engage in the typical summer festival activity of “fishing” in a small pool and taking home a colorful balloon as their prize. The tent is staffed by the Japan Local Government Center (JLGC) and Japan Society. JLGC conducts research on local government issues and practices and organizes international study programs for local government officials in Japan, the United States, and Canada, and sponsors seminars to introduce North American government practices to Japanese officials. New York's Japan Society is a world-class, multidisciplinary hub for English and Japanese-speaking audiences that presents more than 100 events each year, from sophisticated presentations of Japanese art and culture to open, critical dialogues on issues of vital importance to the U.S., Japan and East Asia.

CALLIGRAPHY -- The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc.

Here visitors can experience and practice the art of calligraphy. JAA was founded 100 years ago to provide support to new Japanese arrivals in New York City. Today they provide a wide range of services that include Social Services programs (twice a month luncheons and lunch deliveries), free legal , tax, insurance and medical consultation, Apple Kids (workshops and events for newly arrived families with young children), scholarship awards for high school and college graduates, music scholarships, arts and cultural events, and the Committee on Aging Issues.

ORIGAMI -- Enrichment Origami Art Therapy

Here participants can create their own origami artwork. Enrichment Origami Art Therapy is founded on the idea that the process of making origami actually can be a very healing experience and support one’s well-being. Origami as an art form that requires a series of steps. Origami is a piece of paper magically transformed into various imaginative forms while you are stimulating your brain by using your fingertips. Origami stimulates your imaginations, exercises your brain, and provides inspiration.

	UCHIWA HAND FAN -- Home Island Project
HIP is an organization that originates in Shikoku, Japan. Their mission is to raise awareness about their “Home Island" Shikoku as well as to turn the island into a magnet for people around the world. At this tent, visitors can make their own Japanese fans.

ENVIRONMENT -- Japanese Children's Society / Big Apple Beautifiers / New York Japan Student Association

At this tent, children partake in an illustration competition of environmental-friendly ideas, drawing their ideas on eco bags that they may take home with them. The tent is staffed by the Japanese Children’s Society, which was founded in New York City in 1980 as a Japanese language-based preschool and kindergarten; by the Big Apple Beautifiers, who aim to create a more beautiful city and a more secure world, by cleaning up cities and through environmental awareness; and by the New York Japan Student Association, an organization comprised of Japanese and New York artists and DJ’s who play a wide range of styles ncluding Reggae, Hip-Hop, Jazz, House, J-Pop and World-Roots music in performances that provide Japanese students who live in New York with the chance to get to know other students from their country

KABUKI FACE PAINTING -- Northeast Council of Teachers of Japanese

At this tent, young visitors can have their faces painted in Kabuki-influenced designs. The Northeast Council of Teachers of Japanese aims to broaden Japanese language education in the northeastern area of the country, providing teachers with help and practical information, as well as opportunities to pool their talents and share information about effective classroom practices. Their students come from all ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds in the US. The organization believes that those who learn Japanese language and culture contribute greatly to a more profound relationship between America and Japan.

STAMP RALLY & LANGUAGE TENT -- Hills Learning

Visitors to the Stamp Rally and Language tent can join in a game to learn Japanese pronunciation and vocabulary. Hills Learning, (“Highly Interactive Language Learning”) provides quality language teachers who are dedicated to their work and are motivated to teach and share their culture with others. Hills Learning provides Japanese group and private classes for all ages, along with Korean, Chinese, and English classes. They are also the only language school that focuses on events outside the classroom because they believe the best environment for learning language is one that gives you multiple opportunities to speak and use the language.

	WELLNESS CHECK UP -- Japanese Medical Support Network (JAMS NET)
At this tent visitors can get a health check. The Japanese Medical Society of America was originally established in 1973. It was originally created so that members could help and refer one another. With the goal of helping one another, the Society distributes a variety of scholarships to medical, dental and nursing students.

2. FOOD TENTS

	CHOW MEIN -- Nissin Foods
Nissin Foods founder, Momofuku Ando, invented instant ramen in 1948 as an attempt to feed the masses in Post Word War Ⅱ Japan when food was sparse, Today, you can enjoy that tastes of Mr. Ando's vision with products such as Cup Noodles, Top Ramen and Chow Mein. With 29 plants in 11 countries, Nissin Foods has been helping feed the word, one bowl at atime.

GYOZA DUMPLING -- Ajinomoto U.S.A., Inc.

Ajinomoto Co. began in 1909 as a manufacturer and marketer of processed food, seasonings, fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and animal nutrition. After establishing itself as a household food brand in Japan, Ajinomoto Co. has become truly global with operations in 23 countries and regions, and over 100 manufacturing facilities. Ajinomoto U.S.A., Inc., subsidiary of Ajinomoto Company Inc. (Japan) was established in 1956.

	MISO SOUP -- Marukome USA Inc.
Marukome has been dedicated to making fine Miso and soy products for 150 years. Today, it distributes a variety of products for home and commercial consumption.

	SANUKI UDON NOODLE -- SANUKI Project
SANUKI Project is a non-profit organization founded by a group of about 20 individuals, originally from Kagawa. The Sanuki Project’s ultimate goal is to see the udon noodle that they grew up with and love served in its authentic form here in NYC

	SOKA SENBEI RICE CRACKER-- Soka Senbei Promotion Conferenc
Years ago Senbei (rice crackers) became known and loved in and around Soka as an easily portable food source. Senbei from Soka have been popular for centuries; they were easily transported to Edo by boat and became a popular snack for fashionable Edoites.

SUSHI -- Sushi Popper

The Sushi Popper is a portable tube with fresh sushi that is pushed up from bottom and eaten from the top. The Sushi Popper takes healthy and nutritious sushi to place where it was difficult to go before such as airlines, vending machines, drive thru’s, and movie theaters. The Sushi Popper is also environmentally conscious by using recyclable plastic, and eliminating the need for chopsticks which causes millions of trees to be cut down every year.

TEA -- ITO EN (North America) INC.

ITO EN (North America) INC. was founded in May 2001 with the mission of introducing ITO EN's line of green tea products and promoting an interest in authentic green tea in the United States and beyond. In 2002, ITO EN (North America) INC. launched (delete “it”) TEAS’ TEA line of natural, unsweetened bottled tea. The product line functions as the centerpiece of ITO EN (North America) INC., embodying ITO EN's guiding principals: Natural, Safe, Healthy, Well-Designed, and Delicious. Today, ITO EN is happy to offer TEAS' TEA Naturally Sweet- slightly sweetened with natural cane sugar for those who prefer a little sweetness. This new line is the perfect bridge into unsweetened teas for the future. Refreshment redefined to celebrate Japan Day @ Central Park!