Dublin’s fourth Experience Japan Festival takes place from 4-21 April 2013. Experience Japan Festival day, a free family event, takes place at Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park on Sunday 7 April from 12 noon to 4pm. Other mainly free family friendly events will take place at a variety of locations around the city until 21 April. For full details see experiencejapan.ie.

The festival is supported by Dublin City Council, University College Dublin, Dublin City University and the Office of Public Works. Experience Japan aims to promote cultural and business links between Ireland and Japan.

Dublin’s Lord Mayor Naoise Ó Muirí who will open the festival on Sunday said:-“Experience Japan’s Family Day at Farmleigh will bring a traditional Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival to our capital. It’s a great chance for locals to share this beautiful tradition with members of our Japanese community”.

Also attending this year’s Farmleigh event is His Excellency Chihiro Atsumi Ambassador of Japan in Ireland.

The Festival continues to build on Dublin’s growing links with Japan and Asia. Dublin participated on a major Council of Europe Intercultural Cities conference in Japan on October 2012 attended by the Lord Mayor.