More than 100 stores from all over Japan to participate! Maze Fest” to be held this weekend (Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture)

Magellan Penguin Craft Festa Joetsu, a Magellan Penguin-themed handmade market, will be held on June 8 (Sat.) and 9 (Sun.) at Kaihin Park near the Municipal Aquatic Museum “Umigatari” in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture.Magellanic Penguin Craft Festa Joetsu” is a market of handmade works with the theme of ‘Magellanic Penguins’ that has been held since 2016 to widely promote the Joetsu City Aquatic Museum Umigatari and Joetsu City, where the largest number of Magellanic Penguins in Japan live. Commonly called “Maze Fest”, it is a popular event that attracts many families and people of all ages every year.

The event will feature a large collection of works featuring Magellanic penguins and other sea creatures not only from Joetsu City but also from all over Japan. In addition to sales of accessories, fabric goods, ceramics, illustrations, etc., there will also be workshops where visitors can try their hand at making things by hand, as well as food and drink booths, making it a fun event for both children and adults.

Each year the number of vendors increases, and this year more than 100 stores from all over the country will open their doors. There will be 82 stores in the craft area, 12 stores in the food area, and 11 stores in the corporate area. Live events will be held on both days at the venue.magefes YOICHI, which started last year as a festival on the eve of Magefes, will be held again this year. This is an event with an adult atmosphere where you can enjoy food from popular local restaurants and drinks in cups with cute penguin stickers. Dates and times are Friday the 7th from 5pm to 8:30pm and Saturday the 8th from noon to 8:30pm, with the first parking lot of Umigatari being the venue.

In conjunction with “magefes YOICHI,” a special nighttime “Penguin Night” will be held at Umitari. Penguin fans will enjoy a penguin-related quiz contest and the opportunity to make their own penguin tags.

Ms. Mai Murakami, Executive Committee Secretariat
This year marks the 7th Maze Fest. I think many people from all over Japan are looking forward to coming. Penguin Night will also be held, so I hope you will spend a whole day immersed in the penguins and feel the goodness of Umigatari and Joetsu.

The 7th Magellan Penguin Craft Festa Joetsu
■Date: June 8 (Sat.) and 9 (Sun.) 10:00-16:00
■Venue: Joetsu City Seaside Park (4-268-1 Nishihonmachi, Joetsu City)
*For more information on vendors, live events, etc., please refer to the brochure and website.
■Inquiry：TEL025-543-2449(Magellan Penguin Craft Festa Joetsu Executive Committee Secretariat)
■HP：https://penguinfesta.com/

magefes YOICHI
■Date: June 7 (Fri.) 17:00 – 20:30, June 8 (Sat.) 12:00 – 20:30
■Venue: Joetsu City Aquatic Museum Umigatari Parking Lot No. 1
■Free Admission

Penguin Night
■Date: Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, 18:00 – 20:00
■Venue: Joetsu City Aquatic Museum Umi-no-Tari
■Admission: Adults 1,800 yen, High school students 1,100 yen, Elementary/junior high school students 900 yen, Infants (4 years and older) 500 yen
*Tickets for regular admission cannot be used to enter the museum.