Calling all fans of Japanese culture and cuisine! HyperJapan is back and from 25th-27th July at London’s Earl’s Court, you can enjoy the very best of Japan right in the heart of the UK.
Whether you’re passionate about Japanese fashion, technology, culture, Cosplay or sushi, central London is the place to be to enjoy a smorgasbord of style, sashimi, J-Pop stars and so much more. But with so much going on, it can be easy to get bamboozled. Fortunately, we’ve put together a quick guide of all of HyperJapan 2014’s upcoming best bits, so you don’t have to miss a single minute of everything kawaii, delicious, quirky and just plain brilliant…
Food
Have your say in the Sushi Awards 2014
For just £12.00 you can have your say in who wins 2014’s Eat-Japan Sushi Awards. Best of all? You’ll get to taste samples from all of the competitors, munching on the finest sushi from the five finest 2014 entrants including Roka, Chisou, Yashin Ocean House, Chino Latino and feng sushi. Unless you’re already wise to the latest breed of sushi delivery London has to offer, this is the very best time and the perfect place to sample the finest sushi in central London.
Become a sake coinesseur
Whether you enjoy sitting back, relaxing and waiting for your sushi delivery or prefer to create your own handmade sushi, London is the best place to source that essential sushi tipple – sake. HyperJapan is the place to learn all about sake – and to sample all sorts of different varieties with over 25 beverages from more than 11 exhibitors.
A £15 ticket will give you access to HyperJapan’s Sake Experience 2014, which includes tastings, mini-seminars from sake sommeliers and prizes.
Get your mouth around sweet doriyaki pancakes
If you’re not addicted to sushi, central London’s HyperJapan event is home to all sorts of divine Japanese cuisine which doesn’t feature raw fish. At the food court you’ll find popular sweet favourites –doriyaki pancakes. These are sponge like pancakes filled with sweet red bean curd, well worth a munch!
Try the East Asian sensation that is Bubble Tea
Feeling thirsty? Bubble tea is a huge East Asian craze and you can drink it to your heart’s content at HyperJapan! Bubble tea is a thick, tea based drink which comes in a panoply of traditional (and crazy) flavours. The essential ingredient? The “bubbles” – chewy tapioca balls which sit at the bottom of the drink. Squishy and delicious.
Learn to cook your favourite Japanese dishes
Want to create your own incredible handmade sushi in central London? Keen to try your hand at creating Japanese inspired macarons flavoured with wasabi and yuzu? HyperJapan has a host of cooking demonstrations so you can make your very own Japanese cuisine at home. Learn about the snack food of Izakaya-style taverns, discover a Japanese take on curry and much, much more!
Fashion
Fashion inspiration from Harajuku Kawaii stars
ASOBISYSTEM‘s fleet of fabulous fashionistas will be gracing the HYPER KAWAii stage and catwalk in all of their kooky finery at this year’s HyperJapan. With big names including Yura, EVA, Nagi Yanagi and POCHI, there’s a Harajuku girl for you whatever your favourite Harajuku look.
Shop Japanese street style ’til you drop
And if just looking at all that Harajuku goodness isn’t enough for you, make sure you bring a bag big enough to fill with the quirkiest, most kawaii fashion goodies from brands including Dreamy Bows (the official EU stockists for Angelic Pretty). If you are more of a traditional Japanese style-lover, Fuji Kimono, Keiko Uchida (of Muji design fame) and many more will all be showcasing and selling their beautiful designs.
Get your own Tokyo Style Transformation
Need a little help to fully embrace your inner Toyko street style? Head for HYPER KAWAii to get your very own Tokyo style transformation! Whether you want to put together a flawless Lolita look or channel some serious gyaru goodness, the Tokyo Beauty Package zone is ready and waiting to transform you into a Lolita, gyaru or sweet Lolita.
Arts & Culture
Mind-bending performance art from Shiro-A
If you’ve ever seen a OK Go music video, you need to take a look at Shiro-A’s incredible live performance art. Often compared to the Blue Man Group, Shiro-A create high-tech surrealism for the 21st Century with immaculate choreography and insane audio/visual wizardry. We can’t really put what Shiro-A do into words – you just have to see it!
Ancient culture meets autotune at Opera AOI
Traditional Bunraku puppets tell the story of Hiraku and Midori which unfolds over just one night, following a famed singer whose heart has split in two. In a non-traditional twist, this classic Japanese opera will be sung by Opera AOI – a virtual singer who uses VOCALOID(TM) technology to bring this puppet-performed drama to life. It’s hypnotic!
Yun*chi to headline the HYPER KAWAii! stage
Model and singer Yun*chi is set to make the HYPER KAWAii! stage even cuter. An acolyte of cult agency ASOBISYSTEM, she’ll be performing hits from her recent mini album and visiting HyperJapan with her ASOBISYSTEM model pals including Yura, Eva and Anna Yano.
Yanakiku will make you dance
Dressed in their signature KinmoCos (a blend of traditional kimonos with some seriously colourful cosplay weirdness), the Yanakiku twosome will be making you dance to their unique take on J-pop well into the evening. With incredibly catchy melodies and contagious dance routines, prepare to jump around to hits including an English version of Fujiyama Disco.
Which exhibits will you be making a beeline for at HyperJapan 2014? Will you be attending in full cosplay regalia? Which food stall will you be found at? Share your snaps and experiences with our Facebook and Twitter channels!
