WMDF staff attired in yukata mingled with world artists, Japanese artists and WMDF supporters. They witnessed WMDF’s first live Japanese calligraphy performance, delivered by traditionally clad students from Hakodate’s Nishi-Kou school.

Thanks to Hakodate’s mayor’s representative for exchanging gifts with overseas groups, to Tune Hakodate for letting us transform their lobby, and to Poke Dish for cooking up a storm with all the veggies and ingredients our staff collected from local farms. We hope the party has provided the energy everyone needs for opening Motomachi Park in style tomorrow.

Japan has been having some record-breaking weather this year. Now, WMDF-goers are checking the online weather sites to see what the coming week holds. We have made our annual offering to the weather gods on the WMDF Tree. They are “teru teru bōzu” handmade dolls. In Japanese, “teru” means “shine” and “bōzu” is a “monk”. They are a kind of talisman with magical powers. Our WMDF staff made these this year and imbued them with their strong spirit. We believe in their supernatural ability to bring the best weather and to prevent all other kinds of weather from coming. Please believe in them too!

Motomachi Park Setup in progress at WMDF Tree, Aug 03, 2018

We welcomed our first artists this year, from Russia. We were also glad to see some familiar faces of in-Japan artists. Why not join all of us for a week of “new beginnings”?