The traditional Japan Festival in Munich takes place once a year, on the third Sunday in July.
The 28th. Japanfest Munich will take place on 21.7.2024 (date for 2024 is not yet fixed)
The Japan Festival is being held in the English Garden for the 26th time. If you want to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and craftsmanship, head to the Japanese teahouse Kanshoan, just behind the Haus der Kunst. The festival takes place behind the Haus der Kunst.
This year there will also be a cosplay competition with lots of attractive prizes. Cosplay is a fan practice that originated in Japan and came to the USA and Europe in the 1990s with the manga and anime boom.
In cosplay, the participant portrays a character from a manga, anime, film, video game or other media through a costume and behavior that is as true to the original as possible.
Here are the most important key data:
- When: on Sunday, 21.7.2024 (date for 2024 is not yet fixed)
- The festival starts at 11:00 am, the official program and the demonstrations start at 12:00 pm
- Expected end is around 18:00
- Admission is free.
- Where: the venue is behind the Haus der Kunst
A celebration for international understanding
The popular festival is organized by the Consulate General of Japan in Munich, the Japan Club Munich and the German-Japanese Society (DJG).
The aim of the Japan Festival is to bring the culture, language and customs closer to the people of Munich. That’s why many clubs give an insight into what they can do. All the organizers involved and the many helpers do this on a voluntary basis.
The Japan Festival is organized by the German-Japanese Society in Bavaria e.V., the Japanese Consulate General Munich and the Japan Club Munich e.V. The event is supported by the City of Munich.
And because the whole thing is, as always, a joint German-Japanese friendship festival, you can also take part in many of the activities to your heart’s content.
The stage highlights:
- Dance performance by the Japanese International School Munich e.V.
- Children’s game (dances) of the Japanese Institute in Munich e.V.
- Choir performance by the German-Japanese Women’s Choir Munich
- Theater performance of the Maximiliansgymnasium Munich
- Pop concert by singer-songwriter Miyu Hidaka
- Chigusa Sakon and Shingo Horie give an insight into the traditional Japanese bon dance – participation encouraged
- Choir performance by the Munich Animanga Choir
- Concert by soprano Keiko Obai with pianist Hiroko Utsumi
- Cosplay competition from Animexx with lots of attractive prizes
On the grounds you will find Japanese ceramics, ikebana, shoji carpentry, Japanese games to take part in, Japanese archery, Japanese dance and much more.
Program schedule Japanfest Munich
12.00 – 12.20 p.m.: Drum performance by Raiko
12.20 – 12.40 p.m.: Start of the official opening ceremony
- Welcome and greeting speech by Consul General Nobutaka Maekawa from the Consulate General of Japan in Munich
- Welcoming speech by the City of Munich by City Councillor Dr. Evelyne Menges
- Welcome speech by President Dr. Oliver Schön of the German-Japanese Society in Bavaria e.V.
- Welcome speech by Mr. Masaaki Matsubara, President of the Japan Club München e.V.
12:40 – 13:00 Dance performance: Japanese International School e.V.
13:00 – 13:20 Children’s game (dances): Japanese Institute in Munich e.V.
13:20 – 13:40 Theater performance Gekidan Mori
13:40 – 14:10 German-Japanese Hip-Hop Miyu & Jay
13:50 – 14:20 Pop concert: Miyu Hidaka
14:10 – 14:30 Theater performance in Japanese Maximiliansgymnasium Munich
14:30 – 14:50 Choir performance German-Japanese Choir Munich, Hana Women’s Choir
14:50 – 15:30 Bon dance Sakon Chigusa & Horie Shingo
15:30 – 15:50 Choir performance Munich Animanga Choir
15:50 – 17:00 Cosplay competition* feat. Special Guest Marie Rin – Animexx and Anime Connect
17:00 – 17:30 Bon dance to join in Sakon Chigusa & Horie Shingo
Here you can download the official event flyer and a detailed site plan (still from last year’s event) with an overview of the stands from last year. Current information can be found on the DJG Munich website.
The various clubs will show off their skills on the event stage.
Get a taste of the traditional Japan Festival in Munich’s English Garden
The 30 or so stands showcase Japanese cultural assets and products. Bonsais, kendo, ikebana and much more delight many visitors and delicious delicacies tickle open-minded palates. Different stages with a changing program and a hands-on offer will delight all generations. The varied events offer something for every taste.
Bon dance to join in
The bon dance is particularly popular. It is a traditional Japanese dance and there is a hands-on introduction for the audience before the performance. Take the plunge, because it’s fun to try out new things! To the delight of all guests, visitors also come dressed in traditional Japanese costumes.
Traditional martial arts and games at the Japanfest Munich
Other dances are also performed, martial arts are shown and Kokuryo drummers perform. Go and shogi are also played and various clubs and schools present cultural themes.
In the pictures above you can see the demonstrations of various associations associated with Japanese culture. This includes archery, karate or traditional fighting with a stick, staff or sword. If you were inspired by the Japanfest Munich and would like to learn archery, take a look at Kyudo Isar-Doje e.V. over. You can learn karate at the Kyokushin Karate School, for example. You can learn kendo at the kendo school in Munich, the largest club in Bavaria with over 100 members.
Manga and anime
Manga and anime fans will also get their money’s worth – Animexx e.V. also has a stand. Look forward to a relaxed afternoon with Japanese culture, sport, music, dance and culinary delights.
Cosplay competition at the Japanfest Munich
Are you wearing a costume at the Japanfest Munich and want to present yourself on stage?
Then come to the cosplay competition at the Japanfest Munich presented by Animexx e.V. and the team of the German Cosplay Championship!
To register, please send an e-mail to CosplayWettbewerb@animexx.de by 15.07 and tell us your name, which costume from which series/movie you are making! ”
Please observe the German Weapons Act for cosplay weapons.
Tip: the Kocherlball 2024 takes place on the same day. However, it starts at 06.00 am.
Nearby: Japanese teahouse Kanshoan, Haus der Kunst, Chinescher Tower, Fräulein Grüneis, Eisbachwelle Munich
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