After two successful years at Spitalfields Market, this year’s Japan Matsuri will take place at the more central location of County Hall, beside Westminster Bridge and close to the London Eye.  Japan Matsuri brings the Japanese community of the UK and Londoners together to enjoy Japanese food, lively music, traditional and contemporary dance and much more.

As well as immersing ourselves in the festival atmosphere, we will reflect on the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan on 11 March.  There will be fund-raising, a photographic exhibition and many other events and activities to support the survivors and help them rebuild their lives.

This year there will be live performances on the three stages, family activities, a much expanded food market and stall area, as well as an exhibition area, providing day-long entertainment and interest for all the family.  Anyone who can sing a song in Japanese is invited to enter Nodojiman, the Matsuri version of The X Factor, and there will be other participatory activities as well.

A wide range of performers will appear on the two Festival Stages (the Belvedere Stage in Belvedere Road and the Ceremony Stage on the terrace by Queen’s Walk next to the Thames).   On the Martial Arts Stage, at one end of Belvedere Road, demonstrations will continue all day encompassing a broad spectrum of martial arts, including Aikido, Kendo, Karate, Naginata and Judo.

Ambassador Keiichi Hayashi and The Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, will formally open the festival at 11am.

For more information, visit www.japanmatsuri.com