This year, the UK’s biggest free Japanese event, Japan Matsuri, will be going virtual for the
first time with a renamed event; Japan Matsuri Presents.
Held on the last weekend of September, Japan Matsuri Presents is a two-day live streaming event bringing a huge array of Japanese culture to your home. Now in its 12th year, Japan Matsuri celebrates all aspects of Japanese culture creating an opportunity for people living in the UK to explore it.
Content will be streamed on the Japan Matsuri Presents website and social media channels, with mixed live and pre-recorded content made exclusively for the event. Japan Matsuri Presents will feature many different types of performances, martial arts, food demonstrations, kamishibai theatre performances, dances and much more. Viewers can tune in throughout the day to get a taste of the full spectrum of Japanese culture from the comfort of their own home.
Streaming times:
- Saturday 26th September – 10:00-20:00
- Sunday 27th September – 09:00 -20:00
Top picks for Saturday’s events:
Japan Matsuri Presents… Awa Odori
Kick off the day by streaming Awa Odori at 10:00. Awa Odori takes place every summer in Tokushima, Japan, and is one of the world’s largest dance festivals. The atmosphere is electric, and those who go to watch are encouraged to join in with the dancing: as the song of the festival goes, ‘those dancing may look the fool, but those watching are just as foolish, if both are fools together you may as well dance!’
Japan Matsuri Presents… Ichiko Aoba
Ichiko Aoba is a stunning vocal talent and creator of a heartwarming fantasy world through sound. Recording especially from Japan for Japan Matsuri Presents, streaming at 14:00, we recommend that you do not miss this beautiful performance.
Japan Matsuri Presents…How to make Okonomiyaki
Live at 17:00 on Saturday 26th Japan Matsuri Presents… How to Make Okonomiyaki with the Sozai Cooking School. During this free cooking masterclass from the Sozai Cooking School, attendees can try their hand at making their very own okonomiyaki – just in time for dinner.
Top picks for Sunday’s events:
Japan Matsuri Presents… Martial Arts
Initially designed to hone the skills of warriors for greater success on the battlefield, many of the arts were later practised by civilians as a method to foster discipline, agility, and mental alertness. Big in Japan, viewers can tune in and enjoy demonstrations of martial arts, watching the masters as they demonstrate their skills. Featuring Okinawan Traditional Goju-ryu Karate-do, London Aikikai Aikido, Wakaba Kendo Club, Shiranamikai Karate and the London Naginata Club there is plenty to see.
Japan Matsuri Presents… The Kakehashi Koto Ensemble
The koto is one of Japan’s instantly recognisable instruments, with a unique and intriguing history. This performance will see pieces from across the centuries performed, with introduction by Dr Ayako Hotta-Lister who will explain the techniques, history and more of playing the koto.
Japan Matsuri Presents… Joji Hirota and the London Taiko Drummers
In the early 80s, Joji Hirota founded Joji Hirota and The London Taiko Drummers who are now a highly regarded and well established Japanese Traditional and Contemporary Taiko drumming group. Their rhythmic melodies cascade and envelop the audience, with a sound that is truly felt by the listener. An unmissable performance streaming at 19:00 to end Japan Matsuri Presents on a high.
