Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum joins South West Festival of Japan with a Japanese Car and Motorbike Matsuri 

Car lovers from across Bunbury flocked to the City’s premier motor museum during the South West Festival of Japan to celebrate the way the island nation had contributed to the motoring industry.

The Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum joined in the festivities on Saturday morning with a Japanese Car and Motorbike Matsuri.

The museum aimed to highlight how Japan had contributed to motor vehicles, from the first Toyota LandCruiser to Kawasaki motorcycles and Subaru speedsters.

Car club volunteers spent hours researching the vehicles for informative signs and to share their knowledge with attendees — some dating past the 1970s.

Museum volunteer Steve Williams said the BGMM was always happy to tie in exhibitions with City events such as the South West Festival of Japan.

“I came from a young person from the British motorcycle era into the Japanese motorcycle era, I raced speedway with originally English-based engines into Japanese engines,” he said.

“We aim to get some of the younger generations who are driving around in Subarus and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and stuff like that to broaden our demographic for the museum.

“The interest we are getting and feedback so far is making it look like it is going to be pretty popular.”

A sausage sizzle was held by the South Bunbury Rotary Club and a Townhouse coffee van was also at the event.

The event was sponsored by Your Turn Events, Regional Arts WA, the City of Bunbury and Triple M Southwest.

Other events at the festival included a CBD Stamp Rally, Tea Ceremonies and Food and Market Stalls.