Activities

Must-see! Annual Japanese festival!

Very rich and packed programming offered:

Taiko (drum) performance, Bon festival dance, J-POP music, martial arts performance.

At the festival venue, we sell various items such as yukata, bags, accessories, lunch boxes, calligraphy tools, bonzai, and fans.

Let’s celebrate together with drum shows, Bon festival dance and delicious sake and awe-inspiring tea tasting.

Furthermore, acupressure massage will also be available.

In Montreal, this day is a festival all day long. Stay tuned!

Main Stage Program 2022

Opening Ceremony

Taiko Drumming

Taiko (太鼓) means "drum" in Japanese. Japanese drums are made from hollowed-out logs with both ends capped with cowhide. Traditionally, they have been used to offer prayers to the gods for a good harvest.

Arashi Daiko will exemplify the artistry and spirit of Japanese Taiko drumming by sharing their engaging and dynamic performance.

Bon Odori

Bon Odori (盆踊り), meaning "Bon dance", is a style of dance performed during O-bon. It is folk entertainment with a history of nearly 600 years. Originally a Nenbutsu folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead, the style of celebration varies in many aspects from region to region.

Komachi Montreal, the joyful and elegant Japanese folkloric dance group, invites you to join their dance.

Japanese Music

CHURA DUSHI is an epic Montreal-based band created in 2017 that highlights the use of the sansen instrument and Okinawan music.

Aikido

Aikido (合気道) is often translated to “The Way of Harmony of the Spirit”. It is a non-competitive modern Japanese martial art or “gendai budo” that emphasizes harmony and peace.

Judo

Judo (柔道) or “gentle way” has been a recognized Olympic sport since 1964. It is the most widely practiced martial art and the second most practiced sport in the world.

Karate

Karate is an unarmed form of martial arts. The word “karate” (空手) literally means “empty hand”.

Montérégie Aikikai Aikido, Camille Ohan Karate and Shidokan Judo Club will demonstrate various elements of Japan’s martial arts heritage with power and grace.

Iaido/Jodo

Iaido is the art of quickly drawing a sword and reacting to sudden attacks, while Jodo uses a short staff called "jō".

Workshops

Sake Tasting

Sake (お酒) is an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting rice. Meet Montreal’s premier saké sommelier, Mme. Saké au Québec, and get familiar with the history and wine-making process of sake. All participants must be 18+ as alcohol will be served.

Matcha and Nerikiri Tasting

Matcha (抹茶) is a finely ground powder made from specially grown green tea leaves. Wagashi (和菓子) are Japanese sweets or confections, often served with green tea. Workshop participants will learn how matcha is traditionally prepared. They will be able to try 2 types of matcha and a wagashi 'Nerikiri' made from white beans provided by Reina Sakao of Sakao Japanese Tea.

Origami

Origami (折り紙) is the art of paper-folding. Its use has inspired various areas of everyday life and has even been implemented in many major modern science projects. Try your hand at paper-folding with the help of Anita Raj, an expert that can bring paper to life!

Manga class

Participants will be introduced to manga drawing material, the basics of manga faces, and much more! This workshop is hosted by École de manga japonais de Montréal.

Japanese Language

Japanese (日本語) is a language spoken by over 124 million people worldwide and is the 6th most spoken language. Come to our workshop to learn about the beauty of the Japanese language.

Other Activities

Japanese Food and Drinks

MATSURI JAPON Exclusives

  • Food (Okonomiyaki, Yakiniku, etc.)
  • Drinks (Sapporo Beer, Ramune, Kakigori etc.)

Imadake

Ichigo Ichie

Matcha Zanmai

Restaurant Jun-I

Tsukuyomi Ramen

Uncle Tetsu

Yatai MTL

Japanese Products, Services and Art

Boutique 1906

Calligraphie japonaise

Ebisu

Flora Exotica

Japanese Cups

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal

Kawaii Stitch

Kimono Vintage

Kimono Yuki

Kyoto Fleurs

Lunch-à-porter

Montreal Kizuna

Owlie Crochet

Okini Ceramiques

Ponto

SA Design

Entreprise Sakao

SUEHIRO

Tao Sangha Montréal

The Green Bunny Workshop

Thés Guru

Tokusen Store

Exclusively for the 19th edition of Matsuri Japon, there will only be 1 performance stage instead of the usual 2 stages

*Due to COVID-19 precautions, Yukata rentals, o-mikoshi and Matsuri Japon Games section will not be available this year. *

Collaborators