In tandem with AAPI Heritage Month, Japan Fes, the same organization behind the reoccurring Japanese food festival in NYC, has launched ‘JAPAN MONTH,’ running from May 1-31st. The program, sponsored by the Consulate-General of Japan in New York and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), is intended to advocate Japanese culture, food and allure to New Yorkers.
NYC is already home to multiple celebrations of Japanese culture in the month of May, such as the annual Japan Parade and festival coming up on the 13th. JAPAN MONTH will add to these existing happenings with its own lineup of events, promotions and cultural activities.
To commence the month-long festivities, JAPAN MONTH is running a social media contest and the grand prize is incredibly enticing: round-trip tickets to Japan.
Throughout the entire month of May, contestants can snap a photo of them or their meal at any participating Japanese restaurant and post it to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #mayisjapanmonth. *It must be a photo rather than a video.
To further clarify, diners must order from the restaurant’s “Japan Month Menu” which also must be featured in the posted image. There will be a nearby QR code at the restaurant which must be scanned and completed to finish the entry process.
You can find participating NYC restaurants including Sobaya, BentOn, Naruto Ramen and more here, categorized by regions in Japan to encourage diners to learn about the rich diversity of Japanese cuisine.
The winner will be selected by representatives from Japan Airlines (JAL), the Consulate-General of Japan, and JETRO and announced in mid-July.
So what are you waiting for, get feasting and test your luck—who knows, you might just be one of the grand prize winners!
Learn more about JAPAN MONTH and stay up to date on the latest events on the Japan Fes website.