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Byron Shire
August 29, 2026

Byron’s Main Beach turns Japanese

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Matsuri Japan Festival at Main Beach Byron.

 

Photo and story: Jeff Dawson

Some of Japan’s professional Sumo wrestlers have been sharing pics online of their London sight-seeing but it was their micro counterparts who stole the show in Byron last Saturday.

Much of the day across the region was a scorcher, with predictions of severe storm activity in the afternoon eventually cancelled and the Matsuri Japanese festival at Byron’s Main Beach able to proceed as planned.

Organisers had timed the festival to capitalise on afternoon breezes by waiting until 2pm to get started and avoid the peak of the day’s heat – their intuition paid off.

The free family-friendly festival attracted locals and visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

Teachers of the well-known Taiko drumming arts ran workshops at the festival alongside children’s craft, music and dance workshops.

Other entertainment included performers from Bon-Odori Dance.

Japanese lanterns and music added to the picturesque scene overlooking the bay, with market stalls selling kimonos, street food and drinks and a temporary beer garden set up on the Byron Bay Surf Club deck.

Were you and yours there? Check out our photos by Echo photographer Jeff Dawson.



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