All your chicest friends are in Tokyo right now, but if you can't be shopping in Shibuya then the Japan Festival of Wellington is your next best port of call. The lovechild of the Embassy of Japan and Wellington City Council takes place at TSB Arena every two years, gaining a loyal following of 30,000 guests last time around.
This year's lineup boasts a shamisen player who rose to stardom on Australia's Got Talent, a taiko drumming duo, calligraphy demonstrations and origami workshops, just to name a few. All the usual suspects are making appearances too, with enough food vendors to sate your miso and mochi cravings until you finally make it over to the big smoke for real.
The Japan Festival of Wellington is family-friendly and entry is free, so nothing is holding you back from a taste of the Land of The Rising Sun. November can't come soon enough.