Kelowna residents got a taste of Japan on Sunday.

The 11th annual event organized by the Kelowna-Kasugai Sister City Association took place at Dr. Knox Middle School.

"(Kasugai) has a festival, and they celebrate Kelowna in Japan, and we celebrate Kasugai in Kelowna," said Cathy Jennens, past-president of the association.

"The people who are involved ... aren't necessarily Japanese, but we're very interested in the Japanese culture," she said.

There was a lot to take in – from calligraphy, taiko drummers, karate demonstrations, and awaodori, a type of Japanese dance.

The traditional Japanese circle dance is generally performed during the summertime Oban festival, explained Kimiko Wilson.

"It's quite fun ... and it's interesting because not a lot of my friends are from other places, so I get to introduce them to all these different cultures and food," said young dancer Eimi.

Fellow dancers Sasha and Ayana said the food was their favourite part.