JASNC's Western NC Outreach Takes Flight at

Asheville HoneyFest 2025

 

The Raleigh-based Japan America Society of North Carolina (JASNC) has long worked to strengthen ties between the people of North Carolina and Japan. However, its reach into Western North Carolina has been limited—until now. With Asheville resident Margot Carrington recently taking the helm as Regional Director for WNC, JASNC signaled its presence by participating in the 2025 Asheville HoneyFest -- a much beloved local event.

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The JASNC booth was a hive of activity throughout the day with a steady flow of enthusiastic visitors confirming strong interest in Japan and its culture across Western NC, and providing promising leads for new memberships. To align with the HoneyFest's mission of highlighting the crucial role of honey bees, the JASNC booth showcased Japan's diverse honey-producing regions. Visitors also immersed themselves in a variety of engaging Japanese cultural activities: folding intricate origami, writing their names in elegant Katakana, and savoring the unique taste of Japanese sencha (green tea) infused with honey.

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Served from a traditional cast iron kettle, the tea was a true highlight, made possible by a generous donation of tea by Dobra Tea, Asheville's much-loved downtown tea shop. JASNC served over 60 cups of free sencha, allowing for priceless connections and offering a sweet counterpoint to the craft beers many attendees were enjoying from festival host Highlands Brewery, a cornerstone of the Asheville community.  

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Children were particularly enchanted by the colorful booth. Volunteer Nathalie Carrington patiently guided young hands through the art of origami, or offered them pre-made samples as charming mementos. Their faces also lit up at the sight of delicious HI-CHEW candies, generously provided by Morinaga America Foods, Inc.

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Adding another layer of Japanese artistry, the Asheville chapter of Ikebana graced the space adjacent to the JASNC booth with stunning arrangements of local, bee-friendly flowers. These traditional Japanese floral designs captivated numerous flower lovers. Demonstrating true camaraderie, Ikebana volunteers even stepped in to assist at the JASNC booth when it was bustling with visitors, ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience for all.