Japan is saying 'thank you' to everyone for support during last year's earthquake and tsunami with an open house at County Hall during the Games.
There will be a sake bar open til 7pm (arranged by ex-footballer Hidetoshi Nakata) and beer terrace overlooking the river til 10pm, photo exhibition showing reconstruction, a market and a mini-fete, where you can play ring toss and fishing. There's also a full programme of events:
29/31 July: manga screenings
30 July/6/10 August: classical dance performance
31 July: a party from 4pm with DJ Tsuyoshi Takashiro and calligrapher Koji Kakinuma
1/7/9 August: traditional paper cutout performance
2/4/8/11 August: Shamisen and Wadaiko drum performance
3 August: Ikebana (flower arranging)
There's a big launch party on Saturday from 12pm with traditional music and a talk about sake from Nakata at 1.45pm; since they're here to say thank you it would just be rude not to go.
If Japan isn't your thing, other nations are setting up hospitality houses around town (we've already nabbed some free Mövenpick ice cream – thanks, Switzerland!) for you to enjoy.
Arigato in London runs 28 July-11 August on the second floor of County Hall.
