The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Yoo In-chon) is hosting a cultural exchange event themed around Korean traditional culture at the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo, Japan, marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. The event is jointly organized with the Korea Craft & Design Foundation and is being held from March 18 (Tuesday) to April 2 (Wednesday), lasting for 16 days.
The event, themed ‘Touch of Tradition, Today’s Encounter’, focuses on expanding mutual understanding and forming a cultural consensus through traditional cultural exchanges between Korea and Japan. During the event, exhibitions and hands-on programs in four areas—traditional paper, food, clothing, and games—are being held.
The exhibition ‘Paper, Connecting Cultures’ focuses on Hanji and Washi, introducing traditional paper crafts from both countries, alongside an international seminar discussing the modern application of paper culture. ‘Korean Cuisine, Connecting Warmth’ juxtaposes Korean and Japanese table settings, seasonal foods, and traditional sweets, offering a tasting experience to showcase the excellence of Korean soy products, which are listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
‘Hanbok, Connecting Time’ features a traditional Hanbok exhibition, offering dress-up experiences and photo zones, drawing high interest from local Japanese and expatriates. ‘Games, Connecting Generations’ allows people to experience traditional Korean games like Jegichagi, Top-spinning, and Korean-style jackstones, with a virtual reality (VR) content themed on kite flying also made available.
The opening ceremony of the event was held on March 19 and showcased Gayageum solo performances, the traditional Korean dance ‘Chunaengmu’, and a Hanbok fashion show, coupled with traditional snacks provided from both countries. Government officials from both nations and figures from the cultural and arts sectors attended the event, reflecting on the significance of exchanges through traditional culture.
On the same evening, a ‘Korean Cuisine Concept Restaurant’ was operated for one day at the ‘Yunga’ Korean restaurant located in Ginza, Tokyo. Chef Yoon Mi-wol, the 66th Korean Culinary Master, and Chef Masayasu Yoshihara from Tokyo’s Orion Sushi collaborated to present modern course menus using traditional ingredients from both Korea and Japan. ‘Yunga’ was selected as an excellent overseas Korean restaurant by the Korean Food Promotion Institute in 2023 and has received 2 Michelin Stars from 2014 to 2019.
The chefs designed dishes showcasing the commonalities and differences between Korean and Japanese cuisine by combining similar ingredients such as broths, fermented soybean paste, and soy sauce with different cooking techniques and culinary philosophies. This event is evaluated as a new attempt at cultural diplomacy through traditional food.
Lee Jung-woo, Director General of the Culture and Arts Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, “Korea and Japan possess both similarities and uniqueness in everyday life culture, and we hope that this traditional cultural exchange will deepen the cultural understanding between the two countries.”
For more detailed information about the event, you can visit the websites of the Korea Craft & Design Foundation (www.kcdf.or.kr) and the Korean Cultural Center in Japan (www.koreanculture.jp).