February 9 - March 1

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras,a celebration of gay pride, includes the world-famous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade which marks its 30th year in 2008.

Details: www.mardigras.org.au

February 17

Tokyo Marathon 2008 begins at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building and finishes at Tokyo Big Sight, in Odaiba. Some 30,000 runners took part in 2007.

Details: www.tokyo42195.org/index_en.html

February 17

Osaka Twilight Festival 2008 commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Osaka-Melbourne Sister City Relationship. Japanese activities and food are some of the many attractions from 4-8pm in the Treasury Gardens, Melbourne.

Details: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

February 17-20

Hachinohe Enburi is an annual festival in which people dance and pray for a rich harvest. Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture.

Details: www.city.hachinohe.aomori.jp

February 20

Unique artist Yasumasa Moriuma discusses his exhibition "Yasumasa Morimura: Seasons of Passion/A Requiem: Mishima". The exhibition runs until March 9 at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney.

Details: www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

February 22 - March 20

Australia-Japan Match Box Projects Exhibition. Leanne and Naomi Shedlezki launch the Japan Foundation's new visual artists support program with this exhibition entitled "People to People, Place to Place: Australia-Japan 2006-8". Featuring works by more than 60 Australian and Japanese artists, designers and curators. Venue is the Japan Foundation Gallery, Sydney.

Details: www.matchboxprojects.com

February 25

The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) Sydney Seminar is a half-day presentation by keynote speakers and panel discussions followed by a networking reception. Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.

Details: www.jetro.go.jp/australia/events/upcoming

February 26 - July 28

Utopia: The Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye is a full-scale exhibition of the works of this remarkable Australian Aboriginal artist, who has been called one of the major abstract painters of the 20th century. On at the National Museum of Art, Osaka and the National Art Centre, Tokyo.

Details: www.arts.australia.or.jp/english/events/0802/emily/

until February 29

Yokoso! Japan Weeks are unique tourism events held across Japan that include a range of great discounts for overseas tourists.

Details: www.yjw2008.jp/eng/

March 1-14

Omizutori (water-drawing festival) is an ancient festival in which Buddhist priests draw healing waters from springs and roam with pine torches. Todai-ji Temple, Nara City.

Details: www.kcn.ne.jp/~narayama/omizutori/shunie-e.html

March 3

Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival), also known as Girls' Day, is an annual celebration of the wellbeing of daughters in the household. It is a custom to decorate homes with ornate dolls on a special platform.

March 7-10

Moomba Waterfest 2008 celebrates the many cultures existing in Melbourne and has been a festival feature of the city for 50 years. A parade displaying dancers adorned with traditional Japanese costumes can be seen. Yarra River, Melbourne.

Details: www.moombawaterfest.com.au

March 14

White Day is the Japanese equivalent of Valentine's Day, when men give chocolates to women.

March 20-April 2

Sydney Royal Easter Show at Sydney Showground, Olympic Park, Homebush.

Details: www.eastershow.com.au

March 21

Good Friday

Shunbun no hi is a national holiday in Japan to mark the vernal equinox. It is customary to visit ancestors' graves in the week of this holiday.

The Tokyo International Anime Fair is the largest anime exhibition in the world. Held at Tokyo Big Sight every year, the exhibition features anime booths, special events, screenings and performances and the Tokyo Anime Awards.

Details: www.tokyoanime.jp/en/

Animania Festival is a celebration of Japanese and Asian animation and pop culture at Citigate Central, Sydney.

Details: www.animania.net.au

Earth Hour 2008 started in Sydney last year and in 2008 the event goes global. Earth Hour sends a powerful message about global warming through the simple action of switching off all your lights for an hour.

Details: www.earthhour.org.au

Hana-matsuri (Flower Festival) sees memorial services held at temples all over Japan to celebrate the Buddha's birthday.

Kamakura Festival sees medieval samurai society come to life at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Attractions include the shizuka-no-mai ritual dance and yabusame horseback archery. Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Details: www.kanagawa-kankou.or.jp/english/festival/apr.html

Takayama Festival is a large parade with highly decorated floats evoking the centuries-old past. Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture.

Details: www.hida.jp/english

Yayoi Festival is a public holiday featuring a parade of beautiful floats to celebrate the arrival of spring. Sannai, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture.

Details: www.nikko-jp.org/english/futarasan/yayoisai.html

Aoi Festival, also known as the Hollyhock Leaf Crest Festival, sees the ancient Heian Court come to life in this beautiful Kyoto parade.

Details: www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/festivals/aoi.html

Japan Festival 2008 is an annual event organised by the Japan Club of Victoria. Traditional performances, activities, and authentic food can be enjoyed.
Box Hill Town Hall and TAFE, Melbourne.

Details: www.jcv.org.au/japanfestival

SUMMER 2007/2008

SPRING 2007

WINTER 2007

AUTUMN 2007

SUMMER 2006/2007