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Japanese traditional and contemporary culture collide in the Japanese Edogawa Commemorative Garden and Gosford Regional Gallery. 

2025 FESTIVAL CONTRIBUTORS

GOSFORD SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION has fostered a relationship promoting friendship, cooperation and cultural exchange with Gosford's sister city, Edogawa, part of Tokyo City, in Japan since 1988. In 2018, Council celebrated the 30th anniversary of the relationship by re-signing the sister city agreement. During the last thirty-seven years the sister city agreement together with the Gosford Sister City Association, has delivered many benefits for the Central Coast including the establishment of the Edogawa Commemorative Gardens adjacent to the Gosford Regional Gallery, dignitary visits, events and cultural exchange programs.

DJ RILEY FREEMAN is the master of mood and has been playing events in Sydney and the Central Coast for the past 5 years. For Haru Matsuri Riley digs into his stash of Japanese electronic music. Though-out the event expect to hear music by dj Krush, Ken Ishii, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Shinichiro Yokota and more !

YuNiOn Taiko is a fun, open and soulful journey through the high-spirited energy of the Japanese taiko drum. YuNiOn was formed in 2005 by Masae Ikegawa and Graham Hilgendorf as a duet for taiko and percussion.In Japanese, Yu = blend, Ni = two and On = sound. Their performance activities include school performances and parties, corporate events, community festivals and concerts. Masae and Graham have toured extensively, performing throughout Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and America. They have composed and directed for the Sydney Festival First Night, corporate events, as well as collaborations with The Satsuki Odamura Koto Ensemble and Yasukazu KANO from Japan. In 2020 Masae collaborated and performed in the Sydney Festival at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

HIROFUMI UCHINO AKA DEFEKTRO is an Australian based Japanese artist who creates "noise" related performances. Founder of Lastgasp Art Laboratories in Tokyo in 1996, Defektro’s performances are characterized by machine produced junk metal sounds. Uchino is the futuristic mastermind and inventor of the machines used by Defektro The sound created by the noise instruments and sonic weapons are sampled, chewed up and spat out for the pleasure of the audience. Defektro has released over 30 recordings with various record labels around the world and toured the United States, Australia, Europe, and Japan.

TOKOKO OKA uses the principles of traditional Japanese calligraphy and sumi-e (ink-art) to create abstract artworks, bespoke murals and design. She uses the bold and versatile medium of calligraphy to create artworks inspired by the flora and natural landscapes of Australia and Japan. Tomoko also creates exciting and dynamic large-brush calligraphy performances and loves to share Japanese culture through her passion for the beauty of the Japanese aesthetic. For Haru Matsuri Tomoko will share personalised messages of hope and peace, and name cards in Japanese calligraphic script.

SHOBENSU Japanese Spritz and Sake Bar in the garden’s Tea House is curated and served up by the stylish crew from P&V WINE AND LIQUOR, Newtown and Paddington the legendary bottle shops that sell fine natural wine, artisan spirits, craft beer and good times. The menu is FRESH!!  Light, medium and full flavoured Sake, Umeshu Spritz, Yuzushu Spritz and Japanese beer. See P&V's Instagram @pnvmerchants

YAKIMASU JAPANESE SNACK selling authentic Japanese street food - delicious Gyoza, Yakitori, Okonomiyaki and Ramen. Check out their instagram @yakimasujapanesesnack

CHEF MENDI specialises in transforming bespoke private events into elevated and cherished culinary experiences, For Haru Matsuri Chef Mendi has created a bespoke Japanese Menu full of flare .. Katsu Don with prawn or chicken, Teriyaki Tofu and for the sweet tooth Matcha of Yuzu Tiramisu. To see more go to Instagram @chefmendi_ 

The event is funded by Central Coast Council and The Gosford Sister City Association

Arigatou Gozaimasu !

Book your FREE tickets via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/DFZPF