East Asian culture touches a bit of Germany on Saturday as Düsseldorf celebrates Japan Day. As a bastion of Japanese business activity in Europe, the city makes for a logical venue, and its resident Japanese community is busy prepping for the festival.

The 12th edition of Japan on the Rhine offers demonstrations of traditional arts, such as Ikebana, origami, calligraphy, martial arts, musical performances, a Cosplay fashion show, Manga fan zone and traditional food stands. A highlight will be the Japanese fireworks display at 11 p.m. featuring images of Japanese culture — from cherry blossoms to Manga figures — bursting high above the Rhine.

Activities start at 12:30 p.m. on Burgplatz and along the Rhine promenade.

In the nearby suburb of Niederkassel, the EKÔ-House, a Japanese cultural center with a temple, garden and traditional wooden houses, offers an “open doors” day from 1-6 p.m. Admission to all sites is free. Get details at www.japantag-duesseldorf-nrw.de.