Celebration for Chinese Spring Festival kicks off in Osaka in western Japan

A three-day celebration for the Chinese Spring Festival kicked off in Osaka in western Japan on Friday, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Since early in the morning, Tennoji Park in downtown Osaka, where the celebration was held, was filled with festival atmosphere with red lanterns and flags hung high.

A number of Chinese artists gave shows on a spectacular stage set up in the center of the park, including face-changing stunt of Sichuan opera, acrobatics and lion dances.

People also lined up before the around-70 booths which sold traditional Chinese cuisine, including dumplings, candied haws in sticks, and others.

"It was the first time for us to attend a celebration event for Chinese Spring Festival. It's so great. I hope such celebrations could be held every year," said Maeda, a Japanese lady who came to the event together with her husband and children.