More About the Show In Japan

For those of us who go to shows almost every weekend, it is hard to imagine how much effort and how big an event it is to have a rabbit show in Japan.

Hiroyuki reports that the show in Tokyo last Saturday and Sunday had over 100 workers, over 6,000 spectators, and hundreds of booths selling everything related to rabbits.

The entry fee converting to US dollar was about $25 per rabbit, all the spectators had to pay an admission fee to get in and the two judges were flown in from the US. The club pays for the judges' airfare and other expenses, they were lodged in a four star hotel.

Judge Judy reports that it's one of the best experiences that she has ever had. After judging in Japan four times, she wouldn't mind going back every year. The showroom was spotlessly clean. If there was a drop of poop or pee from the rabbits, the carpet would be replaced. Any debris on the ground would be picked up. People were courteous and the worker totally efficient.

Interestingly enough, two of our three Japanese friends featured on our blog a few days ago were the top winners in this show. Yumiko took Best In Show with her English Angora that is shown in the first photo, Yumiko is with her American Fuzzy Lop AK's Johnson in the second photo. Johnson took first place in AFL wool class.

Koichiro took Reserve In Show with his Netherland Dwarf that is shown in the silver cup. Koichiro, in his white lab coat, also won the Best Junior title with his broken Mini Rex shown in the sixth photo with Judges Judy and Chuck.

Hioryuki, our third Japanese friend features on our blog, was busy taking pictures of other rabbits; he is the one in blue lab coat in the fourth picture.

Judge Judy and her interpreter Mrs. Machida are working hard judging American Fuzzy Lop in the fifth photo.

The last one is a composite photo posted on http://www.rabbittail.com/2006usafesta/usafesta2006_top.html If our readers click this link and various choices on the site, you'd see the cutest rabbit things for sale in the booths, the schedule of the two day event, and lots of interesting information. Of course it would help if you could read Japanese. There are various sites on the internet that offers free translation service that could help to understand the contents better.

A rabbit show in Japan is not just a rabbit show, it is a major event. We are very fortunate to be given the chance to have the reports and photos to share with our readers.