Digital nomad life looks exciting from the outside, and often it is. You get the freedom to work from different cities, shape your own routine, and turn cafés, co-working spaces, airport lounges, and short-term rentals into temporary offices. But that freedom comes with its own kind of friction too.

Working remotely while constantly moving means your setup is rarely perfect. One day you are in a quiet apartment with a decent desk. Next, you are taking calls in a noisy café, trying to focus in a busy airport, or walking through a new city while listening to directions and voice notes. That is why digital nomads tend to value gear that is practical, portable, and easy to live with. The best accessories are not the ones that look futuristic. They are the ones that quietly make daily work and travel smoother.

Digital nomads deal with a particular mix of convenience and disruption. They have flexibility, but they also have to work around unfamiliar environments all the time.

Noise is one of the biggest problems. Remote workers often end up in shared spaces, cafés, hotels, airports, and co-working hubs where sound is never fully under control. That makes calls harder, concentration more fragile, and even simple listening tasks more tiring than they should be.

There is also the issue of portability. Nomads usually prefer gear that does not take up much space, create extra clutter, or add another device to charge and carry. A setup that feels manageable at home can quickly become annoying when it has to fit into a backpack and move between cities every few days.

Then there is comfort. If you spend hours wearing headphones, switching between work audio and everyday listening, your gear can start to feel like a burden. Remote workers often need something that supports both productivity and movement, without making the day feel heavier.

Audio glasses are exactly what they sound like: glasses with built-in audio technology. Instead of relying on traditional headphones or earbuds, they bring sound into something people already wear every day.

That is what makes them interesting. They do not ask you to carry another obvious piece of tech. They blend audio into a more natural part of daily life.

Some are designed mainly for entertainment or calls. Others lean more into practical listening support. In the case of Nuance audio glasses, the idea goes a bit further. The official product positions them as hearing glasses with built-in open-ear speakers, app-based settings, background-noise control, and prescription-ready or light-responsive lens options. The site also clearly frames them around work, noisy environments, and everyday wear rather than just novelty.

That matters because digital nomads usually do not need more gadgets for the sake of gadgets. They need gear that earns its place.

One of the biggest advantages is that audio glasses reduce how much separate tech you need to rely on throughout the day.

Instead of constantly reaching for earbuds, adjusting headphones, or deciding whether to wear one device for work and another for walking around, audio glasses can make things feel more streamlined. That kind of simplicity matters when your workday is already spread across different environments.

They also suit nomad life because they are more discreet. Headphones can feel bulky. Earbuds can be easy to lose, uncomfortable over long stretches, or socially awkward in some settings. Glasses feel more natural because they fit into ordinary movement. You can walk, work, listen, and stay connected without looking or feeling like you are wearing a full audio setup.

Open-ear listening is another part of the appeal. That design can make it easier to stay aware of your surroundings, which matters when you are navigating unfamiliar places, listening for travel announcements, or trying not to shut yourself off completely in public spaces. 

What makes audio glasses feel different is not just that they combine two functions. It is that they fit the rhythm of remote work better than a lot of traditional audio gear does.

Digital nomads are constantly shifting between tasks. A normal day might include writing, video calls, navigation, messaging, a walk to a café, a quick grocery stop, and some light admin while waiting for transport. The best gear supports that movement instead of forcing you to switch modes every hour.

Audio glasses can do that because they sit in the middle ground between work tools and lifestyle accessories. They are useful while working, but they also keep making sense when the laptop closes. That is a big reason they can feel like a genuine upgrade rather than an extra device.

For digital nomads who already wear glasses, the appeal is even stronger. Combining vision and audio into one piece of gear can make daily life feel lighter and less cluttered. Nuance also offers prescription-ready options, app controls, a charging case, and styles designed to look wearable rather than overly technical, which makes the idea more realistic for everyday remote workers, not just early adopters.

The future of remote work gear is probably not about carrying more. It is more likely about combining functions in ways that feel natural.

That is where audio glasses start to make real sense. Remote workers already want tools that travel well, reduce friction, and support long days without becoming tiring. Glasses that handle both vision and audio fit neatly into that direction.

As wearable tech becomes more practical and less attention-seeking, audio glasses could become especially appealing to people who move often and work from mixed environments. They suit the kind of lifestyle where portability, comfort, and subtle usefulness matter more than flashy features.

That does not mean every digital nomad needs a pair tomorrow. But it does mean the category feels more relevant now than it might have a few years ago. The more remote work becomes normal, the more people will look for tools that fit around real life rather than interrupting it.

Digital nomads do not just need stylish accessories. They need functional ones. The gear that earns a permanent place in a travel setup is usually the gear that makes daily life easier without adding more hassle.

That is why audio glasses stand out. They suit movement, reduce clutter, support listening in busy environments, and fit naturally into the kind of flexible routine remote workers already live. For people constantly balancing work, travel, and everyday life on the move, that combination is hard to ignore.

In that sense, audio glasses are not just an interesting idea. They are starting to look like the kind of accessory modern remote workers may genuinely grow into.

 

The Athens English Comedy Club is honoured and thrilled to be presenting the first ever Italian language comedy show in Greece!

Join us on Sunday, April 26th and enjoy comedians Giulia Vittoria Cavallo and Carlos Gutiérrez as they bring their comedy to Greece for the first time! 

Opening act: Dimitris Christodoulou (He is half Italian, it’s OK!) 

💪 Powered by BeComedy

Founded in 2019, the Athens English Comedy Club is the first, and only, purely English comedy club in Greece - and is now branching out to more languages!

About the comedians:

Giulia Vittoria Cavallo is an actress, singer, and comedian. She has been performing stand-up comedy since 2023 and debuted at Zelig in Milan with her first show, "Cose da non fare se vuoi stare al mondo." In 2025, she placed second at the "Cabaret Amore Mio" festival, the oldest comedy festival in Italy. She is currently touring with her new show "Vengo sempre dopo," bringing her own musical comedy format to the stage, and actively collaborating with BeComedy UK.

The first Colombian to record for Comedy Central Italia. Champion of the Comedy Battle at the Canile Drammatico festival (Parma, May 2025). Semifinalist for the Massimo Troisi Award for Best Italian Comedian (Naples, June 2025) and the La Cicala d’Oro stand-up competition (Bologna, August 2025). He regrets being a political scientist, even though he doesn't really know what a political scientist does. In his comedy, he reflects on being an immigrant from a country famous for the wrong reasons, a perspective that allows him to craft a comedy that blends dark humor and self-irony with observations that range from Tuscan bread to Latin American music (never heard in Latin America).

https://www.xpatathens.com/administrator/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item#k2TabImage

Find Giulia and Carlos online!

Giulia

Carlos

Now in its 7th season, the Athens English Comedy Club has hosted lineup shows, solo shows, open mics, online competitions, and comedy workshops, with *160* local and international comedians from *39 countries*.

*This show is in Italian*

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Date: Sunday, April 26th 

Time: 21:00 (Doors open 20:30)

Tickets:
Early-bird €15 | General admission €20 | At the door €25

Duration: 1h30

Recommended for ages 16+

Address: ELIART Theater - Konstantinoupoleos 127 (closest to Kerameikos and Metaxourgeio metro stations).

The theatre is wheelchair accessible.

Info: 6987994689 // athensenglishcomedyclub@gmail.com 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
📩 Sign up to our newsletter for direct-to-email updates and exclusive ticket offers!

Adorable Greek Shepherd (Tsopanoskilo) mix puppies ready for adoption. They are a beautiful mix of white-beige and have wonderful, friendly personalities.

All puppies are healthy and ready for their new families.

These pups are going to be loyal companions! If you're looking for a fluffy new addition to your family, we’d love to hear from you.

📞 For more information, please call Dimitra at +30 6930737119.

The CineDoc 2025-26 Documentary Festival concludes on Thursday, April 30, with the presentation of the E.K.K.O.ME.D. Audience Awards and the screening of the documentary Dust to Dust at the Danaos Cinema. The awards are sponsored by the Hellenic Center for Motion Pictures, Audiovisual Media, and Creation (E.K.K.O.ME.D.) - Creative Greece, and the event will be held in the presence of Athena Kartalou, General Director of Cinema at E.K.K.O.ME.D.

The films nominated for the Audience Award are: Takis. by Michalis Roumbis, The Goals of August by Dimitris Koutsiabasakos, LO by Thanasis Vasiliou, The Red Teacher by Stelios Charalampopoulos, and Bull's Heart by Eva Stefani. Supported by Creative Greece, this year’s festival draws to a close after eight months of screenings in Athens, Volos, Larissa, Thessaloniki, and Rethymno, featuring premieres, VR screenings, and tributes across its network.

Following the Closing Ceremony, the documentary Dust to Dust by Kosai Sekine will be screened, focusing on sustainable fashion and the work of Japanese designer Yuima Nakazato. The film is a national premiere and has received international accolades, including the Green Warsaw Award (Millennium Docs Against Gravity 2025) and the Human/Nature Award (Tribeca Film Festival 2024).

DUST TO DUST by Kosai Sekine (2024, Japan, 89’)

CLOSING FILM - 30/04/2026 | Arrival: 19:30 - Start: 20:00

The screening will be introduced by Christiana Vardakou (Textile Designer) and Iro Tsarampopoulou-Fokianou (Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace Greece). A reception by the Open Farm producers' network will follow in the cinema foyer.

Tickets: Available online and at the DANAOS cinema box office: danaoscinema.gr

Synopsis

Yuima Nakazato is only the second Japanese designer invited to Paris Fashion Week and the youngest graduate of the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts. A pioneer of sustainable fashion, Nakazato blends haute couture with ethical production. His vision? A future where creativity is inseparable from environmental care. Dust to Dust follows his journey to Kenya to understand the impact of fast fashion, resulting in a 2023 collection made entirely from landfill waste.

Nominated Films & E.K.K.O.ME.D. Audience Awards

For the 2025-26 season, CineDoc partnered with the Votemo platform to establish local Audience Awards in Athens, Volos, and Rethymno.

TAKIS.

Michalis Roumbis, 2025, Greece, 63’ 

Takis, a former disco owner, dedicates his life to saving strays in Crete. Hosting over 400 dogs in his shelter, the film showcases his daily struggles to change local mindsets while gaining global support.

Nominated in: Athens, Volos, Rethymno.

THE GOALS OF AUGUST (TA TERMATA TOU AVGOUSTOU)

Dimitris Koutsiabasakos, 2025, Greece, 117’ 

Every August, an improvised football championship revives small villages in southern Pindos. Through the journey of the "Armatolikon" team, the film captures the vibrant local community and personal stories of all ages. 

Nominated in: Athens, Volos.

LO

Thanasis Vasiliou, 2025, Greece – France, 70’ 

A year after his mother’s death, the director returns to his childhood apartment in Athens to manage a troubled inheritance. Fragments of family memories emerge from the bare walls, intertwining personal history with the collective trauma of the Junta. 

Nominated in: Athens, Volos, Rethymno.

THE RED TEACHER

Stelios Charalampopoulos, 2024, Greece, 100’ 

Two political trials and executions left an indelible mark on post-civil war Greece: those of Nikos Beloyannis and Nikos Ploumpidis. Ploumpidis died alone, slandered and disgraced. This film explores his Promethean tragedy. 

Nominated in: Volos.

BULL'S HEART

Eva Stefani, 2025, Greece, 78’ 

Eva Stefani follows world-renowned creator Dimitris Papaioannou over two years during the tour of Transverse Orientation. The documentary explores the nature of creation, asking "Why do we do what we do?", highlighting art as a means of resistance against futility. 

Nominated in: Athens, Volos, Rethymno.

About CINEDOC

CineDoc screens and distributes award-winning Greek and international documentaries. Screenings are organized as part of the CineDoc Documentary Festival, in collaboration with:

• Danaos Cinema and Anesis Open-Air Cinema

• The French Institute and the Greek Film Archive (Tainiothiki)

• CineDoc Volos, under the auspices of the Municipality of Volos and with the support of the Region of Thessaly (P.E. Magnesia & N. Sporades)

• The Municipality of Larissa

• The Thessaloniki International Film Festival ("Pavlos Zannas" and "Stavros Tornes" theaters)

• The "Simeio" Cultural Center in Rethymno

The festival takes place annually from September to April across the main CineDoc network, presenting new films approximately once a month. The sponsor of the CineDoc 2025-2026 Documentary Festival is the Hellenic Center for Motion Pictures, Audiovisual Media, and Creation (E.K.K.O.ME.D.) - Creative Greece.

Furthermore, CineDoc continuously expands its distribution network by organizing documentary screenings both on the Greek islands (Cyclades, Sporades, Ionian, and Dodecanese through CineDoc Island) and throughout mainland Greece. Every year, it co-organizes and supports regional documentary screenings in collaboration with cultural and environmental organizations, film clubs, counseling centers, foundations, cinemas, municipalities, and more. 

Theatre of the NO hosts Ross Daly and his Quartet on Saturday, April 25 at 21:30 for a unique musical evening that bridges the past and present of global musical traditions. Ross Daly, one of the most iconic figures on the international music scene, will present a program that masterfully blends tradition, improvisation, and contemporary musical expression.

On stage, four accomplished musicians come together: Ross Daly (lyra, tarhu, rabab), Kelly Thoma (lyra), Thomas Meleteas (oud), and Maro Panagi (percussion). Together, they create a program of contemporary modal compositions inspired by the musical traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean, Central Asia, and beyond. Their music fosters a lively dialogue between the local and the universal, connecting traditional forms with modern interpretation.

Born in England to Irish parents, Ross Daly began his musical journey with the cello and guitar before turning to the music of the East, with a particular focus on Indian classical traditions. In 1975, he moved to Crete, where he studied the Cretan lyra with Kostas Mountakis and traveled extensively to Turkey and Afghanistan, deepening his understanding of traditional musical forms and instruments.

A virtuoso of many instruments, Daly has collaborated with prominent international musicians, moving fluidly between Eastern musical traditions and contemporary improvisation. His repertoire includes the Cretan lyra, rabab, laouto, Byzantine lyra, sarangi, oud, saz, and tambour.

As a composer and teacher, Daly is renowned for creating multi-layered sonic landscapes and cultivating a deeply human connection with his collaborators, offering audiences an authentic musical experience. Through the Music Workshop “Labyrinth” that he founded and directs in Crete, he has transformed the island into an international hub for artistic exchange, hosting musicians from around the world and fostering dialogue between traditions.

His music is strongly influenced by Sufi philosophy, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of sound and its transformative power for both performer and listener. Moving beyond conventional labels like “world music” or “ethnic,” Daly offers a deeply immersive, almost ritualistic experience.

Following the particularly positive response sparked by its announcement, Porto Carras Athlos moves into its next phase, outlining the activities that will transform the iconic Porto Carras Grand Resort into the ultimate sports tourism and wellness destination in Northern Greece. From May 29th to June 1st, 2026, the "athlos" of personal transcendence takes shape through a schedule featuring over 10 activities and 5 Olympic sports, offering a holistic experience of movement and rejuvenation.

On Saturday, May 30th, participants face off in the swimming routes of Skylias Open Water, in an event that pays tribute to Skyllias from Scione, the greatest diver of antiquity. As Herodotus reports, Skyllias was the man who managed the impossible, swimming a massive distance to Artemision to warn the Greeks about the movements of the Persian fleet, staying in history for his endurance and courage. In the crystal-clear and Blue Flag-awarded beaches, athletes are called to live their own experience of freedom at the distances of 1km, 3km, and 5km, connecting their effort with this ancient myth and the unparalleled natural landscape of the area.

Registrations are available through platform more.com. 

Sunday, May 31st belongs to the runners, with the Giant Run Series drawing its inspiration from the mythical Gigantomachy (Battle of the Giants) that took place on the soil of Halkidiki. Participants do not simply follow a route, but they tread upon the land where, according to legend, the Giants clashed with the Gods of Olympus, giving their name to the peninsula. The routes for the Half Marathon (21.1km), 10km, and 5km unfold through the iconic vineyards and pine forests of Domaine Porto Carras, offering a rare experience amidst lush vegetation and the blue of the sea. Focus on the next generation is a priority, with 1km children's races for ages 0-9 and 10-14 offered free of charge.

Registrations are available through more.com platform, bringing their own pulse to the event.

In the heart of the four-day event, Beach Volley emerges as a dominant activity. Under the guidance of Olympian and European Champion Efi Sfyri, one of the most significant figures in Greek beach volley with numerous distinctions in international and national championships, the Resort’s new courts will be inaugurated with specialized camps, training sessions, and tournaments in King of the Court, Men, and Women categories. The action on the sand culminates on Monday, June 1st, with the spectacular Mixed Tournament supported by Enso Sports Club, offering the ideal closing to an event full of intensity, competition, and athletic energy. 

Registrations are available through platform more.com.

Tennis action at Porto Carras Athlos will be hosted on the resort’s top-tier tennis courts, offering a unique competitive experience in a stunning seaside environment. The program will include Tennis Tournament Mixed Doubles (8–12 teams) as well as Men’s Singles, providing the opportunity for athletes of various levels to participate. 

Registrations via more.com.

Porto Carras Athlos redefines sports tourism as a complete lifestyle event, with its program being finalized gradually through new additions that embrace every aspect of well-being. The experience of movement extends beyond the races, with daily Yoga, Pilates, and Calisthenics sessions held by the shore, offering the ultimate balance. Special care has been taken for the family and the young stars of the event, who can participate in specialized Baby Swimming Sessions and Football Clinics, while the safety and recovery of all participants are actively supported by an experienced team of physiotherapists located at the heart of the event. The program will also include beach soccer on the Porto Carras beach, next to the deep blue waters of the Aegean, as well as crossfit training sessions.

The path to your own “athlos” is open, as registrations for all running and swimming routes are held exclusively through platform more.com.

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Participation in Porto Carras Athlos is completed with a stay in the heart of the activities at the iconic Porto Carras Meliton Hotel, managed by SWOT Hospitality for the second consecutive year. For the Holy Spirit holiday weekend, special preferential packages are available starting from €230 for a double room per night, including half-board at the “Athos” restaurant and free participation in side wellness activities such as Yoga, Pilates, and Calisthenics. Interested parties can choose between rooms and suites with sea or marina views, ensuring a holistic hospitality experience with a minimum stay of two nights.

Reservations are made through the official website of the event HERE!

Porto Carras Grand Resort is the historic iconic resort that has contributed significantly to the establishment of luxury tourism in Greece, especially in Halkidiki. For 50 years, it has been offering high-level services and authentic Greek hospitality to its guests in an environment of unparalleled beauty and intense contrasts. 

Located alongside a sandy coastline of 9 kilometers and surrounded by a verdant area of 18,000 acres, with gardens under the shade of pine trees dressing the slopes of Mount Meliton. Its facilities include an 18-hole golf course, the biggest organic vineyard in Greece, a spa and wellness center, restaurants with high-level gastronomy, a casino and a marina that provides integrated services. In addition, a wide range of sports and cultural activities on land and sea are available to visitors of all ages. 

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There is something you’ve been thinking about, circling around, or quietly wanting to create.

This workshop is designed to help you move it forward.

Through guided mindfulness and energetic work, you’ll clear mental noise, reconnect with what’s truly calling you, and begin shaping it into a tangible vision. From there, we move into a structured vision board process to define what this next chapter actually looks like—and how to start bringing it into your life now.

This is not just reflection. It’s activation. You’ll leave with clarity, direction, and a grounded first step.

You will walk away with:

•A clear vision you can articulate

•A visual roadmap to anchor your next steps

•Renewed energy and momentum

*Connection with like-minded, entrepreneurial women in Athens

This gathering builds on the community formed during our International Women’s Day event and is part of a growing network of conscious women creating aligned lives and work.

Limited spots. Pre-registration required.

On the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the 1967 military coup and the Colonels' Junta in Greece, CineDoc presents a series of special screenings of the documentary LO, shedding light on aspects of modern Greek history through the personal journey of director Thanasis Vasiliou.

One year after his mother’s death, director Thanasis Vasiliou returns to his empty childhood apartment in Athens to manage a troubled inheritance. From the now-bare surfaces of the house, fragments of family memories emerge, and his personal story becomes intertwined with the collective trauma of the Junta.

As he confronts secrets that weigh heavily not only on his family history but on modern Greece as a whole, he begins a journey—a personal diary—among the invisible traces that connect the city and its people to their past.

The CineDoc Documentary Festival presents two special screenings of the award-winning documentary LO by Thanasis Vasiliou, on Sunday, April 19 at 18:00 and Tuesday, April 21 at 19:00 at the Danaos Cinema, in the presence of the director. 

Additionally, further screenings will take place in collaboration with the Municipality of Chalandri and the Oral History Group of Chalandri, the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, Panteion University, and the University of Ioannina.

The documentary screenings in Greece are held with the support of the French Institute and Unifrance, while the distribution in Greek cinemas is supported by the Greek Film, Audiovisual Arts and Creative Sector Center (E.K.K.O.M.E.D.) - Creative Greece.

• Sunday, April 19, 18:00 Followed by a Q&A with director Thanasis Vasiliou and journalist Nikos Xydakis.

• Tuesday, April 21, 19:00 Followed by a Q&A with director Thanasis Vasiliou and Giannis Ntinos, Clinical Psychologist at G.A.O.N.A. "Agios Savvas."

• Friday, April 17, 2026, 19:30 In the presence of the director. In collaboration with the Municipality of Chalandri and the Chalandri Oral History Group (OPIDICH).

• Monday, April 20, 2026, 18:30 In the presence of the director. In collaboration with the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, as part of the monthly cycle "Afternoons with Greek Documentaries." Entrance by reservation.

• Wednesday, April 23, 2026, 19:30 Discussion with director Thanasis Vasiliou and Lia Mela, Assistant Professor of Political Philosophy, as part of the "Philosophy and Cinema" cycle.

• Friday, April 25, 2026, 19:00 – Sakis Karagiorgas 2 Amphitheatre Discussion with director Thanasis Vasiliou and Christos Dermentzopoulos, Professor at the Department of Communication, Media, and Culture.

When I returned from France to my empty childhood apartment in Athens after my mother's death, I felt like a burglar. Everything that had remained in the shadows for decades was now my possession. I discovered debts I didn't know about. I realized lies that shook me. How do we inherit our parents' mistakes? How do we empty their homes?

Amidst the fear of losing the space that held my last memories of my mother and an entire childhood, I began filming the now-empty surfaces with my mobile phone. In essence, I was rediscovering forgotten movements of the past, as I had worked as a cameraman for over ten years before leaving Greece for France. By placing myself behind a lens again, I stirred time and reconnected with the past of the inheritance. "Filming" thus became synonymous with "remembering."

Fragments of family memory, silenced for years, began to tentatively emerge. Some of them led me to the dark years of the dictatorship. How can cinema give shape to a past that resists through silence?

Thanasis Vasiliou is a director and screenwriter based in Poitiers, France, where he teaches cinema theory and practice as an Associate Professor of Film Studies (University of Poitiers). His short films Traces (2017) and Our Last Week(2016) have been presented and awarded at numerous international film festivals. LO is his first feature-length film.

Fancy a weekend in Japan but not the jet lag? A couple of weeks ago (April 4 & 5), we found ourselves swept up in the vibrant whirlwind of the fifth edition of the Athens Japanese Festival.

Launched in 2019 with the ambition to bring Japan closer to Greece, the event has grown into a dazzling celebration of all things Japanese. Thousands of artists, workshops, exhibitions and performances now gather each year to showcase the many faces of this mythical country, from ancient traditions to modern pop culture. It’s energetic, it’s creative, it’s inspiring… and yes, we love it!

The vast halls of the Peristeri Exhibition Centre were buzzing. One entire section was dedicated to shopping, and you could find absolutely everything: delicate teas and tea sets, shimmering samurai swords, plushies of everyone’s favourite Pokémon, and even tattoo artists ready to ink the boldest visitors. Many exhibitors had gone all‑in with costumes straight out of beloved mang and visitors, too, showed up in their best cosplay, proudly bringing their favourite characters to life with infectious enthusiasm ; a delight for fans and photographers alike. 

 

Another area shone a spotlight on traditional Japanese culture, and the passion behind it was palpable. Registered participants could try their hand at bonsai or ikebana, while others folded intricate origami creations. Passers‑by were invited to vote for their favourites ... a tricky task, given the talent on display!

We were particularly charmed by the photography exhibition,  offering a genuine glimpse into everyday Japanese life. The textile arts stood out too, with their vibrant kimonos and delicate textures quietly drawing attention.

There truly was something for everyone — even car enthusiasts, who happily posed with their favourite Japanese models. Visitors could even leave with their name or chosen phrase beautifully written in calligraphy.

The cinema corner hosted talks, Q&A sessions and, of course, film screenings. Nearby, a lively gaming area (board games, arcade machines, video games) kept both children and adults entertained from morning to evening.

And despite the rain, the outdoor food court was buzzing with hungry festival‑goers queueing patiently for bao buns and prawn tempura. With those mouth‑watering aromas drifting through the air, resisting was simply not an option.

From 8,000 visitors two years ago to 15,000 expected today, the festival has grown at an impressive pace. What’s the secret? “A lot of organisation,” a staff member told us with a smile. And indeed, understanding what the public loves, responding to that demand, and building local and international partnerships with artists and exhibitors is no small feat. Judging by the festival’s expansion, though, it’s safe to say the mission has been accomplished!

The same staff member admitted, half‑worried and half‑amused, that they may soon need an even bigger venue than the Peristeri Exhibition Centre. She wonders whether this is simply a trend that began around fifteen years ago with the rise of manga, and whether the festival might be reaching its peak. But if we look at Paris’ Japan Expo, which only keeps growing, perhaps Athens’ own celebration of Japanese culture still has many bright years ahead.

So we’ll surely be back next year for another trip to the Land of the Rising Sun!