I’ve always been a sucker for Japanese culture.

As a kid, I was focused on the swords-andhitting-things aspects; even studying karate for a few years. As I’ve grown older, my interests and tastes have matured, culminating in a love of Japanese cuisine and fascination with the arts of the island nation—and anime, especially, with all the swords and hitting things that go on.

Thank goodness for the fifth annual Nihon Matsuri (Japanese for “Japan Festival”). Taking place Saturday on the historic Japan Street block between 200 and 300 West at 100 South, admission is free to the public.

There will be demonstrations of traditional Japanese tea ceremony, martial artists from the local community, big booming taiko drums, as well as examples and practitioners of many other classical Japanese arts. And, of course, food. It wouldn’t be a street festival without food to carry around, right?

Nihon Matsuri Japan Festival, 100 South between 200 and 300 West, April 24, free admission. NihonMatsuri.org