A charity event titled the "World Culture and Arts Festival," held to support recovery efforts following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, took place on October 25, 2026, at Umekoji Park in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto. Hula dancers, dressed in vibrant, colorful attire, performed graceful dances and encouraged the audience to contribute to the fundraising efforts.
The event began in 2021 as a flea market and evolved into a festival dedicated to promoting global culture and arts starting in 2024. Since last year, the festival has centered on the theme of "hula"—a traditional Hawaiian dance form that celebrates nature.
More than 480 hula dancers from across Japan—with many traveling from the Kansai region—gathered at the venue to perform dances and songs on stage. Approximately 40 stalls offered Hawaiian-themed goods and food, such as "loco moco" dishes and apparel featuring hibiscus patterns. Despite the rain, the event drew a large and lively crowd. The funds collected at the venue, combined with donations from the performers, will be presented to the Kyoto City Disaster Volunteer Center.
