Japan Week festival is heading to Manchester in September with six days of free events
Japan Week will head to Manchester this September with six days full of free events and activities
A free six-day festival featuring a massive takeover of Japanese culture will take place in Manchester.
Japan Week will feature a host of events, workshops, exhibitions and interactive experiences across a number of venues in the city that aim to offer a glimpse into the uniqueness of Japanese culture and art.
The festival, which will run from September 4 to 9, is held each year but takes place in a different world city. First held in Florence in 1975, this year’s festival will also honour the 50th anniversary of the global event.
Manchester was chosen by the International Friendship Foundation to host this year’s Japan Week, with an expansive programme featuring everything from traditional tea ceremonies to calligraphy and performances.
There will be theatre and stage performances at HOME, tea ceremonies at Manchester Museum and workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations at both Aviva Studios and Manchester Central Library.
Japan Week is held in a different world city each year – and it’s Manchester’s turn this year
A full day of activity will also take place from the Hallé, which will showcase the Hallé Youth Orchestra as well as Japan Archives and Japanese instruments. As part of Japan Week, a brand new production called BLOOM will also debut with its first UK performance and was created as a unique gift from Greater Manchester to Japan.
Fusing music, fashion and dance together, the piece has been created by composer and DJ Afrodeutsche, dance company Company Chameleon, and queer-led fashion brand Belladonis. The live performance will also feature a string ensemble from the world-renowned Hallé orchestra, including virtuosa violinist Roberto Ruisi.
Mr Hiroyuki Ishizaki, of the International Friendship Federation, in Japan, said: “It is a great pleasure to bring artists and performers from across Japan to the wonderful city of Manchester for an extra special programme celebrating the 50th anniversary.”
Manchester Council said the bid to host Japan Week came off the back of a successful trade mission to Osaka and Tokyo in December 2023, which was led by GMCA Mayor Andy Burnham and Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig.
Manchester has been chosen to host the landmark 50th celebration of International Japan Week
Coun Craig said: “Manchester and Japan have historic links, going all the way back to the 1800s, when Japanese students came to Greater Manchester to take home the lessons of industry and our connections have been forged ever since.
“As a proudly international city, our city has always been shaped by people and businesses who have chosen Manchester to live, to work and to invest in.
“Culture has an important part to play in this, helping forge a mutual understanding between cities and countries that in turn helps create the right foundations for joint working and for successfully doing business with each other.
“It is particularly special that Manchester has been chosen to host the landmark 50th celebration of International Japan Week.
“The programme of free cultural activity for September will allow people from across the city come and experience these unique events and gain insights into Japanese culture for the week. We are looking forward to hosting an important delegation of Japanese dignitaries, businesses and cultural institutions in our city.”
Each of the Japan Week activities will be free to attend but will operate on a first come, first served basis. There will be some events which will require free-of-charge tickets to be booked in advance.
Japan Week will feature the likes of traditional tea ceremonies, calligraphy and live performances
Outside of the city, north and south Manchester will also partake in the Japan Week celebrations, with plans currently being finalised for activity to take place at Gorton Hub, Wythenshawe Forum, and Abraham Moss Library and Leisure Centre.
Xiaowen Zhu, Director of esea contemporary, the UK’s only non-profit institution specialising in presenting and platforming artists and art practices from East and Southeast Asia (ESEA), said: “The event reflects our commitment to fostering meaningful cultural dialogue across geographies.
“As a proud venue partner for the 50th anniversary of Japan Week—supported by Manchester City Council—we are honoured to contribute to this landmark citywide celebration.
“Through boundary-pushing music, experimental moving image, and shared creative experience, the festival captures the vitality of Japan’s contemporary arts and culture while resonating with Manchester’s spirit of openness, innovation, and inclusivity. It is a joyful invitation to connect—across disciplines, communities, and generations.”
Japan Week will take place from September 4 to 9. More information here.