Snapping Photos in Hanbok, Bubbling Han River Ramen... Korea-Japan Culture Festival in Tokyo [On Site]

[Financial News, Tokyo—Correspondent Seo Hye-jin] "Where will it be held next year?"
A Japanese-Korean couple in their 40s, whom this reporter met at the Korean Cultural Center in Japan in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on the afternoon of the 26th, was already wondering where next year's event would be held. This was the third time the Korean wife and Japanese husband had brought their young son to the Korea-Japan Culture Festival. When asked which program they had enjoyed most, the couple showed photos of their family wearing hanbok in the rooftop garden. They also said that trying Han River Ramen had been a new experience.
The venue was packed with people despite the rain that day. About 30 people were lined up at the prize-drawing area on the first floor of the center. To participate, visitors had to take photos on two different floors between the second and fifth floors and show them. Prizes included round-trip tickets to Korea, hotel stays in Korea, and food-tasting vouchers. The event was designed to encourage visitors to explore the experience booths on each floor while waiting for the prizes.
Visitors also continued to gather at the Han River Ramen corner. The dish is prepared by placing dried noodles and ingredients in a container and cooking them directly with a dedicated machine. In Korea, it is a simple dish enjoyed along the Han River, but at the Tokyo venue, the cooking process itself became an experience. Organizers also showcased Korean-style snacks such as butter tteok, ttungcarons, and potato bread, along with seasoned fried chicken and gimbap.
This year's Tokyo event was held at the Korean Cultural Center in Japan for the first time. The center's first through fifth floors were arranged as spaces for food, tourism, books, and traditional culture experiences.
People gathered in front of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) booth to look over travel information. In another area, visitors could try their hand at ddakji flipping, while a booth featuring webtoon characters allowed them to make merchandise. In the hanbok experience area, children dressed in traditional attire sat in a row as an adult knelt on the wooden floor and held up a camera. The rooftop garden also featured a photo zone decorated with traditional Korean lanterns.
A program also gave Koreans and Japanese an opportunity to speak with one another directly. Called the Korea-Japan Exchange Lounge, it brought young people from Korea together with Japanese visitors for games, quizzes, and conversation. A woman in her 50s who lives in Tokyo said, "I often watch Korean dramas, but I have had very few opportunities to speak directly with young Koreans. It was an enjoyable experience." 
Artists from both Korea and Japan took the stage. On the 26th, Korean violinist Lee Hyeon-jeong and Japanese pianist Haruna Koide performed a classical music concert. On the final day, the 27th, performances were held by Korean dance team 1MILLION Dance Studio and Japanese professional dance team Valuence INFINITIES, followed by a concert by singer Lee Mu-jin.
The Korea-Japan Culture Festival began in Seoul in 2005 to mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. Since 2009, it has been held separately in Seoul and Tokyo. This year's Tokyo event, held under the theme "A New Step Toward a Better Future," is the 18th edition.
Lee Hyuk, South Korean ambassador to Japan, said at the opening ceremony on the 25th that the festival had continued even when relations between the two countries were difficult, calling it "a valuable asset that has kept the relationship going."


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