TheAke Ome! 2015festival will give visitors a chance to draw faces of the traditional Japanese Daruma dolls. — VNP Photo

HA NOI (VNS) — A Japanese cultural festival to welcome the New Year will take place at the Giang Vo Exhibition Fair Centre in Ha Noi this weekend.

According to the culture, sports and tourism ministry, the festival, entitled Ake Ome! 2015, is expected to create a sound playing ground for the public, especially young people.

The highlight of the festival will be stalls presenting handicraft products and specialties from both Viet Nam and Japan.

Several traditional Japanese decoration items will be put on sale, such as: Kadomatsu (or gate pine, a traditional New Year decoration placed in pairs in front of homes to welcome ancestral spirits and the spirits of the harvest); Koinobori (carp streamer which represents aspirations, spirit, will and consistence in life);and Hamaya (a lucky arrow which is meant to drive away evil spirits.

Ake Ome! 2015 will feature several cultural activities, including traditional dances of Japan. VNA/VNS Photo

In addition, festival goers can participate in a number of activities that Japanese normally do to welcome the New Year, such as drawing of lots, trying the traditional Yukata costume, and drawing faces of the traditional Daruma dolls to pray for fortune.

They can also join in the traditional dance of Yosakoi, or disguise themselves as Japanese cartoon and comic characters.

Ake Ome! 2015 originates from theterm Akemashite omedetou,which means Happy New Year in Japanese.

According to the organisers, the festival also aims to strengthen the friendship and solidarity between Japan and Viet Nam. — VNS