Malak Alzahrani

RIYADH: Gamers8’s Japamura, supported by Saudi Airlines and presented by Abdullatif Jameel, is back this year for the third time in Boulevard Riyadh City.  

The beautiful Japanese pop-up event is hosting various experiences, offering traditional Japanese performances, experiential workshops and a ramen bar called YUMAKU. 

Inside Japamura, visitors can experience drinking real matcha, wearing traditional Japanese Yukata (which is the light version of the Kimono), watching live Japanese musical performances and renditions of popular old anime that Saudis/Arabs grew up listening to when they were younger and joining Japanese calligraphy classes taught by a Japanese sensei. 

One of the Japanese performers is the wadaiko group “SAI,” a professional performance group consisting of 5 members, using a Japanese traditional instrument, the wadaiko, which means large Japanese drum.  

The sound of the Japanese large drums is like a rumbling thunder that leads to a powerful and dramatic performance that leaves the audience in awe. 

 “SAI” have had more than 2000 performances, in more than 30 countries. Wadaiko is the summer rhythm sound in Japan, which reminds people of summer festivals or also known as “matsuri.” 

Another Japanese group performers are the band “Lost Baggage,” who uses the three instruments shakuhachi, koto, and shamisen to present exquisite Japanese harmony to the audience of Japamura who the majority were either wearing the traditional clothes for summer in Japan the “Yukata” or their favorite Japanese anime character’s costume such as Luffy.  

The name of the band origins from an accident that happened in Abu Dhabi airport, where they confiscated the koto instrument for two days thinking it was a machine gun. Ironically naming the band  “Lost Baggage” shows how positive the band is.

“Lost Baggage” performed a cover of the Japanese animation movie Suzume and covered other anime songs and original songs. 

The show had the visuals of mount Fuji and the infamous cherry blossom tree known as “Sakura” playing in the background as they performed, in front of a big man-made Sakura tree.  

The Japamura zone runs throughout the duration of Gamers8 until Thursday, September 8, and is open daily from 6pm – 9pm and 10pm – 1am. Tickets are available here: https://gamers8.gg/