Japan Park Brings Tokyo Vibes to Riyadh’s Esports World Cup

As gamers go head-to-head on the digital battlefield at Boulevard Riyadh City during the Esports World Cup, a more tactile experience is drawing a different kind of crowd. Taking place amidst the biggest esports festival in the world, Japan Park invites visitors to swap consoles for calligraphy and cosplay for culture.

At the entrance, guests can scan a QR code to receive a traditional yukata, a Japanese summer festival garment reimagined with design cues from anime and modern pop culture. It’s free and respectfully worn, with staff on hand to help guests suit up properly.

The surrounding streets echo Tokyo’s energy, lined with manga photo zones, origami workshops, and calligraphy corners where Japanese artists patiently guide visitors in writing their names in kanji. There’s ramen, sushi, and mochi at the food stalls, along with a steady rhythm of cultural exchange to balance out the hypercharged energy of the gaming arenas.