Question 1

Is the Festival Free?

Accepted Answer

The South West Japan Festival offers a range of events over the two week period. Quite a lot of these are free to attend, with options to purchase food, drinks and workshops at the event. 
Each event is different however, so please check the details of the specific event you're wanting to attend.

Question 2

How do I make sure I get a lantern at the Floating Lantern Festival?

Accepted Answer

Lanterns were in high demand last year, so this year we are taking pre-orders online only. To pre-order your lantern, head to our Events page and click on the Floating Lantern Festival event.

You have the option to purchase a floating lantern (which will be launched into the inlet), or to purchase a lantern to take home (which does not come with a floating base).

We ask that you do not float any take home lanterns in the inlet, as they can cause damage to our wildlife and waterways.

Question 3

Do you take card or cash payments at the Matsuri Day?

Accepted Answer

Most stalls and vendors at the Matsuri Day and Floating Lantern Festival take either card or cash, although a few stalls at the Floating Lantern Festival take coin donations. Our suggestion - play it safe and bring both just in case!

Question 4

Where can I stay in Bunbury?

Accepted Answer

Our Oki (big) Weekender is designed for families to have events and activities across Saturday and Sunday. Bunbury is a beautiful city to stay in, and the Visit Bunbury Geographe site has all of your accomodation options!

Question 5

Who organises the Festival?

Accepted Answer

The Festival is organised by Renee of Your Turn Events, and Lauren of Studio42. We also have a lot of financial support from our generous Sponsors, and many volunteers at the Festival who make it look easy! Our local vendors and stores who take part in the festival, workshop providers and event hosts all help us bring this festival to life.

If you'd like to volunteer at this year's event, please get in touch with Renee at Your Turn Events (hello@yourturnevents.com.au)!

Question 6

Can I only do the Stamp Rally on Matsuri Day?

Accepted Answer

You can complete your Stamp Rally passport at any tmie during the 2 week festival period. 
As Matsuri Day is on a Sunday, a lot of our CBD stores are closed. We advise checking store opening hours beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Hunting on Matsuri Day?
We've organised Stamp Rally stores to have a QR code in their window on Sunday - simply scan the code, and either replicate or describe the unique graphic you see after scanning the code into the square on your passport.

Question 7

How do I get my business involved in the SWJF?

Accepted Answer

Applications for events, workshops, food stalls, markets, sponsorship (and ideas!), are open from December to April of the following year. 
When applications are open, there will be an 'APPLY' tab on our website menu. 
You can always email us directly to start discussions as well, on hello@yourturnevents.com.au.

Question 8

I can't come to my booked event any more. Will I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, if you let us know up to 72 hours before the event, you may receive a refund. 
A few events cannot offer refunds, as the ticket price goes towards catering, marketing, staffing, and other fees paid before the event. If possible, please give your ticket(s) to other people before enquiring about refunds.

Cancellations within 72 hours will not receive refunds, as we will have already accommodated for your seat in our events. We apologise for the inconvenience - please double check you are booking the correct dates and time before purchasing your tickets.

Question 9

What if I don't make it in time to float my lantern?

Accepted Answer

The Floating Lantern Festival is a very popular event, and we have a set number of lanterns for sale. 
If you have pre-purchased your lantern and haven't shown up by 5:30pm on the day of the event to decorate and collect it, your lantern may be given to someone else who is waiting for the no-shows.

To ensure you make it in time, we suggest coming down early, decorating your lantern, leaving it with our team with everyone else's lantern, and joining everyone at 6:00 (roughly), to walk down to the foreshore together.

Question 10

Your Floating lantern Ceremony event said we will be floating at 6pm, but last year it was earlier/later than that. Why?

Accepted Answer

The Floating Lantern Ceremony takes place at sunset, which is hard to predict! We find it's best to give 6pm as a rough guide. If you are in the Friendship Gardens between 5:30 - 6pm, we will always update our guests via the PA about when we will begin the walk down to the i

nlet. Unfortunately, the timing of sunset is a little out of our control! To avoid disappointment, we recommend enjoying the food trucks, market stalls, workshops and plum blossoms close to 6pm so you can hear announcements through our speakers.

FAQ