“The opening of this season this weekend, we’re embracing a lot of the youth in the community and that goes in correlation with Golden Week in Japan,” Day said.

“We’re doing a kite festival and are introducing some of our experiences like the Yukata dressing experience, Okinawan donuts, we’re going to have daily tours.”

A yukata is a form of traditional wear in Japanese culture worn by both men and women. Okinawan donuts are sweep deep fried buns of dough native to Okinawa, Japan.

Yukata dressing experiences will be offered every weekend.

WEATHER CONCERNS

The weather in Lethbridge has been up and down recently, but Day said that won’t stop organizers from producing a memorable time for guests of Nikka Yuko.

“If it’s beautiful and we can get those kites, especially with the kite presentations and demonstrations, we’ll do it outside in the green space, just across from the visitor centre,” she said.

“If it’s poor weather, who doesn’t want to see amazing kites anyway? They’re actually bringing kite kits so people can actually make their own kites, so bring down your kids and family to make unique kites so when the weather’s better, they actually have their kite ready to go.”

Volunteers from SaskPower Windscape Kite Festival will be on hand for this weekend’s workshops, along with local kite expert Don Guick.

SUMO SUNDAYS

Sumo wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the world, and it’s coming to Nikka Yuko.

Day said the garden will host what they’re calling Sumo Sundays throughout the summer season, in connection with sumo wrestling tournaments in Japan.

Guests can learn about the history and rules of sumo and will enjoy a live stream of sumo wrestling in Japan, Japanese beer and appetizers.

If guests want to know what it feels like to be a sumo athlete, they can try on a sumo suit.

In addition to Sumo Sundays, Nikka Yuko will be co-hosting the opening performance of the Lethbridge Jazz & Blues Festival on June 7.

The garden will also be partnering with the Lethbridge Bulls to bring a flavor of Japan to the local baseball team. Attendees to Bulls games will be able to enjoy Japanese style hot dogs.

Photo: Lethbridge News Now

“We just did staff orientation on Monday and Tuesday. The team for 2019 is very energetic and very creative,” Day said.

“One of the things that they’re looking forward to is Sumo Sundays. We’re in the midst of developing a commercial so they all get to wear the sumo suits, so that was the highlight of orientation – to be able to actually walk around in them and get to learn a bit more about what sumo has behind it.”

Later this year, the garden will also be marking the ascension to the throne of Emperor Naruhito, whose father Akihito abdicated the throne earlier this week.

“What’s exciting is that Nikka Yuko gets to be part of a new era in Japan, and what does that mean? What changes will that bring,” Day said.

“One of the things that I think is being passed on from one emperor to his eldest son is reconciliation, unity and peace. That’s what the garden represents, is that peace. We hope that we will continue working closely with Japan to represent that here in Lethbridge.”

Melanie Berdusco, the garden’s new marketing and events manager, echoed Day’s sentiments, noting there is a lot of excitement in the air.

“We’ve always been focused on teaching the community about the history of the garden, and we hope to continue to do that, and provide some authentic experiences for people of all ages to come and experience Japanese culture, learn a little bit about it and the history of that in Lethbridge,” she said.

Berdusco said even with the garden being right in the city, guests will always enjoy a unique experience.

“With our staff, they all take something different from the garden, so each staff member kind of has a different take on the garden,” she said.

“Every time you come, you’ll get a different experience, so if you’re taking a tour with someone else, they might go more into the history of a different piece of the garden or the people that helped create it. We just that people will come back and learn something new about it.”