When we go to Australia next month, we’ll be throwing a little summer matsuri in the seaside village of Elliston (population about 200). We want to share the fun of a Japanese summer festival, but what are the key elements and where can you get them?

• Games: fishing, lucky draw, prizes
• Decorations: lanterns, bunting, happi coats
• Music: the traditional odori songs
• Food: Takoyaki, yakisoba, cotton candy, shaved ice, beer

Knowing where to get all this stuff—boxes of cheap plastic toys, lottery tickets, bingo cards, party costumes—makes me feel very settled in Japan. I’m not sure why.

Since our budget is very small, we won’t be doing all of the above, but we’ll fill in as many of the blanks as possible. It will be fun for us and I hope for the Ellistonians, too. If you happen to be in Elliston on December 20th, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble finding us.