THOUSANDS of people flocked to a festival celebrating Japanese culture and marking the 150th anniversary of the Anglo-Japanese at the weekend. Visitors to Japan Matsuri in Spitalfields Market on Saturday enjoyed a taste of Japan s rich culture at the fest

THOUSANDS of people flocked to a festival celebrating Japanese culture and marking the 150th anniversary of the Anglo-Japanese at the weekend.

Visitors to Japan Matsuri in Spitalfields Market on Saturday enjoyed a taste of Japan's rich culture at the festival which welcomed in the autumn season and brought together art, craft, music, dance, food, theatre, puppetry, games and family activities.

More than 20 stalls offered a selection of Japanese foods and sakes while there were sushi rolling and calligraphy demonstrations as well as an exhibition of Japanese art and a series of martial arts demonstrations, including Aikido, Kendo, Iaido and Genkiko.

Taiko drum performances were given by Thames Taiko, with a grand finale by Joji Hirota and his taiko drummers.