The Japanese Festival Matsuri is a dedicated Japanese cultural community event unique to Perth city. Held every summer since 2013, the event features martial arts, music and pop culture stage shows, as well as food stalls and cultural exhibits. For the full experience, visit Elizabeth Quay on 20 March from 11am to 6pm!
PERFORMERS ON STAGE AT JAPANESE FESTIVAL MATSURI 
TOTORO SILICON MOULD FROM TOKYO UNDERGROUND ON HAY STREET PERTH Originally founded in Yamaguchi, Japan as a textile manufacturer, Uniqlo has grown its global brand to over 1,000 stores, including a flagship one right on Murray Street. The launch of special collections with design houses like Marimekko, JW Anderson and Princesse Tam.Tam are known to attract lines out the door hours ahead of opening. Incidentally, these are currently in-store so run, don’t walk!
If the queue down the street at Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King at The Melbourne Hotel is anything to go by, their success in Asia has certainly been replicated in Perth. Boasting the richest tonkotsu broth with home-made ramen noodles, these guys have created the most delicious version possible of Japan’s national dish, right here in the heart of Perth.
RAMEN KEISUKE TONKOTSU KING AT THE MELBOURNE HOTEL 
DELICIOUS TREATS FROM HOKKAIDO BAKED CHEESE TART AND PAFU ON BARRACK STREET, PERTH Not to be fooled by its name, James Parker in Northbridge is the quintessential Japanese sushi izakaya. The Japanese version of a tapas bar, patrons can expect a great selection of dishes and drinks using only the freshest of seasonal ingredients. Bring a friend and put yourselves in the hands of the chef by ordering the Omakase on their dinner menu. Few dining experiences are quite as elegant.
Teppan (iron plate) charred goodness and Yakitori (skewered meat) are on the menu at Hiss+Smoke, which you’ll find in Market Hall at Yagan Square. Snag a bench seat at the front of the store and be forgiven for thinking you’re in a laneway street store in Japan!
HISS+SMOKE SERVING UP AT THE MARKET HALL IN YAGAN SQUARE Inspired by Japanese ‘after work’ culture, Goody Two’s is a basement bar in on Irwin Street serving up large selections of Japanese whiskies, delicious cocktails and izakaya inspired snacks. A little bit crispy, a little bit salty and a whole lot of highball is just the way to slink late into the night.
WHISKEY FLIGHT AT GOODY TWO'S ON IRWIN STREET, PERTH The friendly staff at Quality Comics know their Manga so if you’re not already a Japanese graphic novel fan, have a chat and they’ll point you in the right direction. Spanning a broad range of genres from action and adventure to mystery and horror, there is something for everyone.
PHOTO BY MIIKA LAAKSONEN ON UNSPLASH The City of Perth Library is also a vast resource for all things Japanese. Check out some favourites that the team have recommended:
Japanese in 7: delicious Japanese recipes in 7 ingredients or fewer by Kimiko Barber
“Japanese food is healthy, delicious and universally enjoyed but despite the popularity of sushi and noodle bars worldwide too few of us cook this delightful cuisine at home. In Japanese in 7 Kimiko Barber uses just 7 ingredients or fewer to make deliciously fragrant dishes that you can effortlessly pull together any night of the week. Chapters are divided into: Fresh - vibrant and healthy meals such as Yellowtail Sashimi, Hand-rolled Sushi and Japanese-style Duck Orange.”
Japan – The world vegetarian by Reiko Hashimoto
“One of the first books in a brand-new series, Reiko Hashimoto introduces the incredibly varied world of vegetarian Japanese food. Vegetarianism has long been a feature of the Japanese diet, and in this book Reiko walks us through the history of vegetarianism in the country, as well as providing tips on the key ingredients - such as miso, tofu and seaweed - that are most used in Japanese vegetarian cooking to help you create a mouth-watering Japanese vegetarian feast at home.”
Lonely Planet Japan (eBook)
“The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Japan is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Shop and dine in electric Tokyo, explore Kyoto's stunning temples and gardens, or hike the majestic Japan Alps; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Japan and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Japan Travel Guide: Colour maps and images throughout; Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests.”
Destination flavour. Japan. (DVD) Presented by Adam Liaw
“This new series will feature the standout talent from series one, Adam Liaw. With Adam in a solo presenting role, Destination Flavour Japan will cover the entire length of Japan from north to south starting in the snowy mountains of Hokkaido and finishing in the tropical islands of Okinawa. Adam lived in Japan for seven years working as a lawyer and is fluent in Japanese.”
Jiro dreams of sushi (DVD) by Gryphon Entertainment
“A quiet yet enthralling documentary that chronicles the life of Jiro Ono, the most famous sushi chef in Tokyo. For most of his 85 years, Jiro has been perfecting the art of making sushi. He works from sunrise to well beyond sunset to taste every piece of fish; meticulously train his employees; and carefully mould and finesse the impeccable presentation of each sushi creation.”
A History of Japan (eAudiobook) by R.H.P Mason
“A classic of Japanese history, this book is the preeminent work on the history of Japan.”
Memoirs of a Geisha (eAudiobook) by Arthur Golden
“Memoirs of a Geisha tells the extraordinary tale of a geisha - summoning up a quarter of a century, from 1929 to the post-war years of Japan's dramatic history and opening a window onto a half-hidden world of eroticism and enchantment, exploitation and degradation.”
