2017 Rice Pounding Festival

On Sunday, December 3, the Japan Alaska Association hosted their annual Rice Pounding Festival at the Asian Alaska Cultural Center. Consul Masatoshi Sato and JAA President Erika Ninoyu gave speeches in the opening ceremony. Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz also attended the festival.
 
Visitors could sample a variety of mochi (rice cake) dishes and participate in activities such as rice pounding and hanetsuki, a traditional Japanese game similar to badminton.
 
The Japan Alaska Association welcomed many new members at this event. The festival successfully brought members of the Anchorage community together to celebrate Japanese culture.