Our mascots are back and SUPER excited to create more memories with you at this year’s Matsuri! This year they will be hanging out on the festival grounds to help you find your way around, so be sure to look out for them on our wayfinder signs! Let’s see what they’ve been up to for the past year…

日系センターに、日系祭りのマスコットたちが帰ってきます。 今年もみんなと楽しい思い出をつくるのを、とっても楽しみにしています！会場ではマスコットが描いてある道案内の標識を見つけてくださいね。 去年の日系祭りから１年。マスコットたちはどうしていたのでしょう？？

Rin リン (Age 11)

Rin is continuing to study the violin. Last year, she started learning to play the piano and the shakuhachi. Maybe once she’s had more practice, she’ll enter the Matsuri Talent Show! Rin wants to keep learning to play more instruments, and is especially excited for the Taiko performances at Nikkei Matsuri.

バイオリンの練習は続けていて、ピアノと尺八を習い始めたの。たくさん練習してから、祭りのタレントショーで演奏したいなあ！もっとたくさんの楽器を習いたいけど、今は祭りの太鼓演奏がたのしみだな。

Nikki ニッキ (Age 7)

Nikki has discovered that he loves to dance! He makes up a new routine to every song that Rin learns on the violin. He also helps Mochizou cook by bringing him new ingredients to try – he likes to visit the farmer’s market and collect free samples!

ニッキはダンスが大好きだよ！リンがバイオリンで学ぶ曲に合わせて新しいダンスをつくるんだ！モチゾウに材料を持っていったら料理してくれるんだ...ファーマーズマーケットからサンプルを集めるよ！

Tsubasa ツバサ (Age 11)

After discovering his love of mountain climbing in Japan, Tsubasa has become a hiking enthusiast! His favourite local hiking spot is the Grouse Grind, and one day he wants to climb Mount Everest. Sometimes Mako comes with him on his hikes and tells him about the different kinds of plants and animals they see.

日本で登山の趣味を見つけてから、登山家になろうと決めたよ！お気に入りのスポットはグラウスグラインドだよ。いつかはエベレストに登りたいなあ。時々マコが一緒に来てくれて、いろんな花や植物、動物のことを教えてくれるよ。

Mochizou モチゾウ (Age 14)

Mochizou has been practicing his cooking skills, much to the enjoyment of Nikki and the other children! His favourite thing to make is okonomiyaki, because he likes to experiment with all different kinds of fillings. Next, he wants to learn how to make the perfect crepe.

ぼくが料理の勉強をしたら、ニッキと他の子供たちが喜ぶんだ！お気に入りはお好み焼きだよ。いろんな中身が試せるのが楽しいんだ。次は完璧なクレープがつくりたいな！