TOKYO, JAPAN: The Nepali community residing in Japan that has been working to promote tourism by disseminating about Nepali art, culture and heritages, held a publicity campaign at Fukuoka of Japan.

The campaign that was limited to Tokyo only has now been taken outside the capital of Japan.

The two-day festival was organised recently for the first time at Fukuoka that sits on the west of Tokyo.

According to organisers, the objective of the festival was to make the Japanese nationals aware about Nepali art and culture, and inspire them to visit the country.

The city will be hosting the Nepal Festival every year on the occasion of Nepali New Year.

Ambassador of Nepal to Japan Pratibha Rana praised the Nepali community residing at Fukuoka of their efforts meant for promoting the country's tourism. She was hopeful that such efforts would help send more investment to the country.

Former president of the festival organising committee and Fukuoka Nepal Society, Ram Krishna Shrestha, said the festival is being organised as it would benefit not only the Nepalis in Japan but also the Nepalis back home.

More than 15,000 Japanese and Nepalis observed the festival that was held on Saturday and Sunday.

Exhibition stalls showcasing Nepali food, costumes and culture along with publicity materials on Mt Everest, Lumbini - the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the apostle of peace and tourism sites as Sauraha, among others were featured in the festival.

Nepal Festival will also be organised in Nagoya in the near future, Shrestha said.