An annual festival celebrating cultural exchanges between Japan and South Korea is underway in Tokyo, following one in Seoul a week ago.

South Korea's ambassador to Japan, Park Cheol-hee, addressed the opening ceremony at the Komazawa Olympic Park on Saturday.

He said the festival has helped people of the two countries build relationships of trust through learning each other's cultures and deepening communication.

He added that the continuous and close exchanges between two countries are the foundation for the prompt recovery and new leap forward in the relationship.

On the stage, a group of taekwondo athletes from South Korea demonstrated the technique of cracking boards with their feet while jumping high in the air. The performance drew a loud applause from spectators.

Some visitors also enjoyed well-known South Korean dishes, such as chijimi pancakes. Others tried on traditional South Korean costumes.

An elementary school girl from Tokyo said the costume she wore was so cute that it made her feel as if she were in South Korea. Her mother said it is great to be able to experience South Korean culture in Japan without actually visiting the country.

The event runs through Sunday.