The UK’s biggest free showcase of Japanese culture returns in 2020. Now in its 12th year, the UK’s biggest free Japanese event Japan Matsuri should have taken place on Trafalgar Square with food stalls, martial arts, performance and more. ‘Japan Matsuri Presents’ takes Japan online to bring the best in Japanese culture from cooking demonstrations, performance, dance to talks and workshops directly to people's homes.

As always there will be performances of music and dance ranging from the traditional to the more contemporary. Among the many stand-out acts is Tomioka Dance Club, runners-up at the World of Dance last year (hyperlink https://youtu.be/ADt-4iv3KVs) despite studying full-time as high school students, and they have created a new dance especially for this event.

The Minyo Crusaders rework historic Japanese folk songs (min'yō) with Latin, African, Caribbean and Asian rhythms, and are giving an exclusive socially-distanced performance from their home in Japan.

Other headline musical acts include Aoba Ichiko, Joji Hirota with performances alongside The London Metropolitan Orchestra and the London Taiko Drummers, and so many more.

There will be an opportunity to learn how to cook dorayaki, okonomiyaki and miso dishes, draw manga as well as view demonstrations of martial arts and ikebana. Something for people of all ages to enjoy!

A highlight of the Japan-UK Season of Culture, the event will stream on the Japan Matsuri Presents Website and social media channels, with mixed live and pre-recorded content made especially for the event. The full schedule is now available to view on http://www.japanmatsuripresents.com

Join the conversation with #JapanMatsuriPresents on Twitter (www.twitter.com/japanmatsuri) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/japan_matsuri/)