Upcoming Events

Showcasing the richness and diversity of Japanese sake and shochu culture, National Sake Week 2024 will host 25 events across the UK offering attendees the opportunity to enjoy tastings, workshops, and expertly curated pairings and cocktails.

This year's production of Sir Peter Wright’s The Sleeping Beauty by the Birmingham Royal Ballet will feature Japanese dancers Yu Kurihara and Momoko Hirata performing the role of Princess Aurora in the shows at Sadlers Wells Theatre London. Kurihara will perform on opening night 24 April and Hirata on Saturday matinee 27 April.

The Garden Cinema presents, for the first time in the UK, an in-depth exploration of Japanese filmmaking from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. A span of time that brings together legendary directors and actors, and which produced a body of enduring masterpieces: Japanese cinema’s Golden Age.

Japan Fest initially set out to introduce Japanese culture to the UK, but in recognizing the richness of Asia, they had a lightbulb moment! Enter Japan Fest Welcomes Asia, an extension within the Japan Fest brand. It goes beyond Japan, seamlessly integrating Japanese stalls and cuisine with the diverse offerings from other Asian countries. 

In 1891 Percy Powell-Cotton visited Japan as part of his big world trip. Whilst there he bought many beautiful ‘souvenirs’, some of which are on display in the Powell-Cotton Museum today. For the late May bank holiday, discover the Powell-Cotton Museum's Japanese collection and beautiful gardens, showing the prettiest signs of Spring.

Part of the Literature and History Public Conference 2024: Power, Authority and Subversion at the University of Derby, the paper "The Satsuma Rebellion: The Samurai Myth" will explore how the Satsuma Rebellion was a pivotal moment in the history of Japan which redefined the image of the Samurai, inducing new narratives of Bushido, honour and resistance. These new narratives would go on to form the mythos around the Samurai which persists to this day.

For the 2nd time in Mansfield, an event in celebration of Japanese culture. This event is being meticulously crafted by passionate and motivated individuals to bring just a small taste of Japan to Mansfield. Activities include Japanese arts and crafts, authentic handmade food, Japanese inspired drinks, performances, activity areas, and anime plus much more.

Michael Hoppen presents a kaleidoscope of works crossing centuries, genre, and media, to reveal a different interpretation of Japan – neither a delicate vision of the Floating World, nor the kawaii kitsch of Hello Kitty’s homeland.

For the third time in Derby, Japan Fest will be celebrating Japanese culture with Japanese arts and crafts activites, handmade Japanese food, Japanese inspired drinks, performances, and anime plus much more!.

Delve into the powerful, participatory work of artist and activist Yoko Ono. Spanning more than seven decades, the exhibition focuses on key moments in Ono’s career, including her years in London from 1966 to 1971, where she met John Lennon.