The programme has been announced for a fantastic free cultural festival this September that will see a six-day Japanese culture takeover of Manchester as part of Japan Week 2025.
The festival is being held in Manchester from 4 – 9 September after the city was chosen by the International Friendship Foundation as host city for the prestigious annual Japan Week event, that takes place each year in a different world city.
First held in Florence and after that in other major cities around the globe including Seville, Boston, and Athens, this year’s festival in Manchester promises to be extra special as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the event that first took place in 1975.
The annual festival showcases traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through arts, music, fashion and sports, and will see a whole host of activities taking place at venues right across the city – all of them free to attend on a first come, first served basis, although some activities will require free-of-charge tickets to be booked in advance.
Through a diverse range of events, workshops, exhibitions and interactive experiences, hosted at iconic venues across the city, the festival promises a glimpse into the beauty and uniqueness of Japanese arts, traditions and more.
From traditional tea ceremonies and calligraphy, to music, arts and grass roots cultural exchange, there will be something for people of all ages to enjoy and appreciate.
The programme includes theatre and stage performances at HOME, traditional tea ceremonies at Manchester Museum, workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations at Aviva Studios and Manchester Central Library, plus a full day of activity with the Hallé showcasing the Hallé Youth Orchestra, Japan Archives, and Japanese instruments.
The week also includes the first UK performance of BLOOM – a brand-new production that fuses music, fashion and dance in a unique celebration of Greater Manchester’s contemporary creative scene. It 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.
Centred on the theme of metamorphosis and change, BLOOM was created as a unique gift from Greater Manchester to Japan, marking a landmark year of cultural exchange between the two regions – with its debut performance taking place at EXPO Osaka back in June, ahead of performances in Manchester during Japan Week.
Away from central Manchester local community venues in the north and south of the city will also be hosting Japan Week activity with plans currently being finalised for activity to take place at Gorton Hub, Wythenshawe Forum, and Abraham Moss Library and Leisure Centre.
Mr Hiroyuki Ishizaki of the International Friendship Federation, 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 and the wider city region has a longstanding relationship with Japan, dating back to the 1800s and the industrial revolution, with Japan Week 2025 set to showcase this 200-year history and friendship.
The city’s bid to host Japan Week came off the back of a successful Greater Manchester trade mission to Osaka and Tokyo in December 2023, led by GMCA Mayor Andy Burnham and Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig.
The city region’s relationship with Japan has continued to go from strength to strength since then, with a further delegation from Greater Manchester having recently undertaken a follow-up trade mission with partners in Tokyo and Osaka.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, 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.”
The festival is being delivered in partnership with HOME, Aviva Studios, Manchester Central Library, First Street, and Manchester Museum, with activities also taking place at Hallé St Peter’s and esea contemporary in the Northern Quarter.
Partner quotes:
Karen O’Neil, CEO of HOME, said: “HOME is honoured to be part of welcoming so many amazing artists from Japan to Manchester for what we are sure will be an exciting week of events and shared experiences. Japan Week clearly shows Manchester’s commitment to being an international city with a thriving cultural sector.”
John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International, said: “It’s a pleasure to be part of Japan Week as the annual celebration of culture comes to Manchester. Having welcomed the great Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama as the very first person to exhibit in Factory International’s new home at Aviva Studios with You, Me and the Balloons in 2023, we look forward to welcoming more great artists from Japan to the city this September and building cultural ties alongside our partners. Visitors to Aviva Studios will have the opportunity to experience exhibitions, food and drink samplings and workshops showcasing Japanese art, innovation, and tradition.”
Ciaron Wilkinson, Head of External Relations at Manchester Museum said: “Manchester Museum has a long history of celebrating Japanese cultural heritage so we’re excited to continue building on that tradition and the cherished relationships that come with it. Our own mission is to build understanding between cultures and Japan Week has incredible potential to do just that.”
Thomas Ingham, Director of Place and Marketing, First Street and Ask Real Estate, said: “First Street and Ask Real Estate have a strong track record of supporting and enabling cultural activations in Manchester. And as First Street marks its 10th birthday this year, we look forward to welcoming guests from all around the world for the 50th anniversary of Japan Week.”
David Butcher, Chief Executive, The Hallé, said: “Japan Week is such an exciting opportunity to explore and enjoy cultural exchange in Manchester, and the Hallé is thrilled to be joining partners to deliver something special for the city. As Manchester’s cultural ambassador, international engagement is deeply rooted in our work, and we are looking forward to sharing the results of our most recent collaboration, BLOOM, which premiered at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, marking a new city partnership between Manchester and Osaka. Alongside this performance and much more at Hallé St Peter’s in Ancoats, audiences are in for a treat with such an incredible range of events across the city and we look forward to joining in the celebrations.”
Xiaowen Zhu, Director of esea contemporary, said: ” ‘From Tokyo to Manchester: Weekend Festival’ 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 in Manchester is proudly sponsored by Calbee, Mizkan, Manchester Airport, KAJI, and First Street and Ask Real Estate who have together made the exciting free programme of cultural events possible.
Find out more information about what’s on during Japan Week in Manchester and get tickets
