Japanese festival raises $6500

A summer festival hosted by the Japanese Family Society of Queenstown has raised  about $6500 for the local organisation.

Natsu Matsuri, held in the resort’s Memorial Centre on Saturday, included kendo and karate exhibitions, traditional food stalls, sake tasting, face painting and a children’s mikoshi, a portable shrine used in street parades. 

Organiser Taeko Mori said the money raised would help fund its children’s club and Japanese book library. 

Pictured, trying on traditional kimono, are (from left) Izumi Okajima, Kazumi Yamaguchi and Tomoko Shirota, all of Queenstown.