Tokyo Street Celebrates 4th Birthday with Chibi Maruko Chan

Tokyo Street, the Japanese themed precinct in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur kick started it's 4th Anniversary celebration yesterday  on a pretty grand scale full of colours and festivity...And I was one of those who were there to get to witness it and join in the fun....

It was definitely a scene out of Japan with ladies and gentlemen dressed in gaily coloured Summer yukatas and intricately designed kimonos all around. There were some media friends and well, yours truly included, who took this opportunity and make some use out of our Japanese outfits lying around at home as well... heheh..

The area was of course gaily decorated with lanterns and streamers....

And... tadaaa... yours truly dressed in one Japanese style vintage Haori jacket which I got from my FB friend's shop..Oldees... check it out if you are interested in nice Japanese style vintage clothing...

The festivities began just after His Excellency Makio Miyagawa, the Ambassador of Japan arrived with all the top key personnel of Pavilion KL, including Puan Sri Cindy Lim, the Deputy Chairman of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur....

The event kicked off with an energetic Wadaiko drum performance .

 Wadaiko or Taiko for short are traditional Japanese drums. They are performed at festivals to infuse the event with energy and the listeners with energy...

Then Puan Sri Cindy Lim, His Excellency Makio Miyagawa, and Ms Joyce Yap (CEO of Retail) greeted guests and members of the media....

Miss Joyce Yap, CEO of Retail at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur said, " In just four years, Tokyo Street has established itself as the destination of choice for all things Japanese. We have constantly strive to give our patrons an unforgettable experience, and this anniversary it is with the famous Japanese icon, Chibi Maruko Chan. It has always been our aim for Tokyo Street to be at the core of community activities and cultural exchange. We want to thank the Japanese Embassy, key organisations, NGOs, tenants and loyal shoppers for their continued support in fostering community and creating an authentic Japanese experience to all..."

Some of the Pavilion staff dressed in colorful and intricate kimonos and yukatas looking on...

His Excellency Makio Miyagawa, Ambassador of Japan giving a short speech...

Then in an ode to Japanese traditions, His Excellency Makio Miyagawa and Puan Sri Cindy Lim participated in a sake breaking ceremony known as 'Kagami Biraki', done to symbolise good fortune and celebrations.

Kagami refers to the lid of the sake barrel and biraki means “to open” so kagami-biraki literally means “opening the lid.” Because of the lid's round shape, the kagami is a symbol of harmony. The kagami-biraki, therefore, represents an opening to harmony and good fortune.

After opening the barrel of Sake, the Ambassador of Japan and all the key personnel of Pavilion toasted with Sake and/or green tea (for the Muslims) to toast for a better future, peace and more success for Tokyo Street...

The festivities got even more merrier when  Japanese manga icon - Chibi Maruko Chan appeared to meet and greet the excited crowd.

For those of you who do not know about Chibi Maruko Chan, better known just as Maruko, she is a nine-year-old third-grade student raised in a relatively poor family of six. She is lazy, disorganized and usually late for school, in strong contrast with her neat, calm and tidy older sister (sixth-grader) who must share her room with her. Maruko, like many kids, tries to avoid homework and chores, and she takes advantage of her doting grandfather and squabbles with her sister. Nevertheless, she is a well-meaning child who tries to do good. Maruko has a problem with her sister cooking and throws whirlwind tantrums. She knows a lot about her mother, father and grandmother

Then Chibi Maruko Chan help with the cake cutting ceremony because, it is after all Tokyo Street's 4th birthday!!!  

Photo opportunity with the key personnel of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur...

Visitors and guests of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur were then invited to join in the 'Summer Dance Performance' also known as the 'Happy Dance' by the Japanese. 

It was definitely a very colorful sight as some shoppers and guests were seen doing the 'Happy Dance' with the dancers....

Interested in joining this Japanese cultural dance? Open your wardrobe and bring out your Japanese traditional costumes and join in the fun. There will be a dance  on the 1 – 2 August at 7pm & 8pm at the Bukit Bintang Entrance, Level 3 and on the 8 – 9 August  at 3pm & 5pm in Tokyo Street, Level 6

Shoppers and guests were also seen immersing themselves in the Matsuri Summer Fair at the Bukit Bintang entrance that had game booths set up featuring Japanese stacking, ring toss, boxing and a hammer game...

The crowd then adjourned to Tokyo Street for the first in Malaysia 'Chibi Maruko Chan Land' where Japanese games such as wanage, superball fishing and yoyo fishing were available....

The beautiful bright signages of Tokyo Street.....

Don't forget to take a photo with Chibi Maruko Chan and her family.....

..and join in the games here.... tokens at RM5 each and you can win exclusive Chibi Maruko Chan merchandises imported all the way from Japan...

This is the superball fishing... it might not seem like much but it can be pretty much fun if you really try it....

Taaadaaaaa...... hahahaha..... yours truly here feeling and behaving like a little kid...

And this fishing is also pretty exciting... hahaha

My catch of the day... Now how shall I cook this fish...

Some adorable little kids clad in traditional Japanese costumes showing off the Chibi Maruko Chan imported merchandise you can win from taking part in these very simple yet fun Japanese traditional games...

And... don't you think this little Chibi Maruko Chan plushie is just adorable....

Anyway the Tokyo Street 4th Anniversary Celebration runs from now up to the 9th of August 2015... Throughout this period, be sure to come and visit Tokyo Street to enjoy authentic Japanese games and food....

You can also stand to win attractive prizes from Tokyo Street with every RM150 spent there at Tokyo Street or RM300 spent at speciality stores...

Tokyo Street 4th Anniversary

Japanese Summer Dance Performance

Come dressed in your Japanese traditional costume and join in the fun.*

1 – 2 August l 7pm & 8pm

Bukit Bintang Entrance, Level 3

8 – 9 August l 3pm & 5pm

Tokyo Street, Level 6

Fukubiki Japanese Lucky Draw

Win attractive prizes with RM150 spent at Tokyo Street or RM300 spent at specialty stores.*

29 July – 9 August l Tokyo Street

*Redemption at Tokyo Street Concierge, Level 6. Valid for single receipt purchase. While stocks last. 

First in Malaysia – Chibi Maruko Chan Land

It’s all about celebrating the spirit of family togetherness and friendship at Tokyo Street’s 4th Anniversary. With her debut in Malaysia, Chibi Maruko Chan will be at Tokyo Street to spread the joy this celebration.

Shop for official merchandises and enjoy fun-filled activities such as Wanage, Katanuki and more exclusively at Pavilion KL.

29 July – 9 August 2015

Chibi Maruko Chan Meet & Greet Sessions

Don’t miss out on meeting the famous Japanese manga character as she makes her first debut appearance. 

1, 2, 8 and 9 August 

Bukit Bintang Entrance l 2pm

Tokyo Street l 4pm & 6pm

For more information, check out : www.facebook.com/pavilionkl  and follow Pavilion's Instagram at www.instagram.com/Pavilion_KL

And for now.... I am off to enjoy some Bento at Tokyo Don, a beautiful and lovely restaurant in Tokyo Street, Pavilion KL..... byeeee.....