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RIYADH: Amid the fast-paced tournaments and flashing screens at the Esports World Cup in Boulevard Riyadh City, a quieter kind of immersion — one rooted in culture, not gameplay — is drawing crowds.

At Japan Park, visitors are stepping into “yukatas,” the traditional Japanese summer garment that merges Japanese heritage with the modern world of esports.

The garment, which is worn during festivals and public celebrations in Japan, was redesigned with a contemporary twist inspired by popular characters and iconic elements of Japanese visual culture.

The experience offers Saudis and tourists alike the chance to explore Japanese heritage in the heart of Riyadh.

At the park entrance, visitors can register via QR code and receive a yukata to wear for free. Staff help guests to suit up correctly, maintaining respect for the garment’s cultural roots.

The streets of Japan Park have been transformed into an interactive world of Tokyo-inspired streets and manga-themed photo zones. The decor draws from vibrant districts such as Shibuya and other landmarks from Japanese pop culture.

The yukata experience is part of the broader cultural showcase that includes workshops on origami and uchiwa conducted by Japanese professionals.

In the calligraphy corner, visitors learn to write their names in kanji under the guidance of Japanese artists. It is slow, meticulous work in contrast to the speed of the esports tournaments happening just steps away.

The food stalls serve ramen, sushi and traditional desserts such as mochi, adding another sensory layer to the cultural experience.

While much of the Esports World Cup is about international gaming and competition, Japan Park offers a more reflective counterpoint.

It is a reminder that global pop culture — from anime to fashion and food — is inseparable from the traditions that shape it.

RIYADH: Hussam Alangari, the president of the General Court of Audit and board member of the Saudi Authority of Internal Auditors, attended the meeting of the Institute of Internal Auditors in Riyadh.

Members of the ILA board congratulated ������Ƶ, represented by SAIA, on its winning bid to host the 2027 IIA International Conference, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The board said the successful bid was a culmination of the Kingdom’s “tireless efforts to enhance its international presence in the field of internal auditing and consolidate its leadership role in developing the profession regionally and globally.”