Japan Matsuri 2019 ー UK's biggest free Japanese Festival returns this September

Sunday 29th September, 2019
Trafalgar Square, London
10am-8pm
Free

Japan Matsuri, the UK’s biggest free annual celebration of Japanese food and culture, returns to Trafalgar Square this year as part of the Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-2020. Trafalgar Square will be filled with Japanese matsuri spirit, with performances, martial arts, festival activities and a feast of Japanese food including takoyaki, yakisoba, sushi, kaki-gori (shaved ice), wagyu burgers and much more.

The ancient Shinto theatrical entertainment of kagura will be performed on the main stage, telling The Story of Orochi (The Giant Serpent). A 17 metre long costume made entirely out of bamboo and UNESCO-recognised Japanese paper will mimic the undulating movements of the serpent in this popular piece of performing art of Japanese mythology. The Otsu Kagura troupe has travelled all the way from Japan to bring this unmissable display of Japanese culture to London. The whole square will be bustling with activity areas, stalls selling Japanese goods and offering information on travel in Japan, alongside a second stage dedicated to martial arts where the full spectrum of Japanese martial arts will be on display.

Alongside a jam-packed programme of music, entertainment and food, Japan Matsuri is the perfect event to experience the best of Japanese culture in the UK.


The festival is arranged by volunteers with the support of the Mayor of London, the Greater London Authority, Westminster Council, The Japan Association, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the Nippon Club, Japan Society, the Japan Foundation and the Embassy of Japan.

http://www.japanmatsuri.com/