A wide range of fun and exciting Japanese events and festival will be taking place throughout June across the UK. If you’re interested in Japanese live music & performances, there’s the ‘Okinawa Day’ festival to experience the music, dance and culture of Japan’s southernmost islands at The Blue Market or you might like to watch ‘Katsura Sunshine’s Rakugo in English with Luca Cupani’ at Leicester Square Theatre.
For those who are interested in Sake, West London Wine School is holding an enjoyable one-day Sake Course, and SAKE COLLECTIVE has the Meet the Sparkling Sake Brewer event. Apart from those, there are plenty of Japanese art & culture related workshops to choose from our Japanese Events June 2023 calendar such as Shibori (tie-dying), Kokedama (moss ball), Shorinji Kempo (self-defence), Origami (paper folding), Shodo (calligraphy), Kintsugi (golden repair of broken items) and Chanoyu (tea ceremony) workshops.
Also, continuing from May, there are a few Forest Bathing events held outside of London, and one of them, ‘Evening Solstice Special’ is to celebrate the summer solstice with an evening among the beautiful trees of Salcey in Northampton. Those near to the location or who can make it there are sure to be captivated by this summer solstice in the stunning forest setting. You can find more details on this below along with the other regional events in the Outside of London Events Section of our Japanese Events June 2023 calendar.
June 3rd: Sashiko & Shibori Workshop with Emi Fujisawa
- Date: Saturday, June 3rd 2023
- Time: 15:00 to 17:30
- Fee: £54.88
- Location: Not Just Another Store, Unit 5, 5 Calvert Avenue, London E2 7JP
Join Japanese textile artist Emi Fujisawa for a workshop in the two Japanese techniques Sashiko (stitching) and Shibori (resist dyeing) to make a very special tea towel from a vintage piece of cloth. You will transform the piece of cloth into a beautiful indigo dyed tea towel, with a special resist pattern of a flower or leaf. Apart from learning these techniques, you will also be introduced to dyeing with indigo. Tea will be served while you’re working away with your stitching.
For more information and booking, please visit the Sashiko & Shibori Workshop with Emi Fujisawa page.
June 3rd: Kokedama & Ikebana Workshop @ Snow Peak London
- Date: Saturday, June 3rd 2023
- Time: 15:00 – 16:30 & 17:00 – 18:30
- Fee: £75
- Location: Snow Peak Store, 16A Regent Street, St. James, London, SW1Y 4PH
In this early summer themed workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to build your own centrepieces inspired by Japanese moss garden and kokedama (moss ball) -making technique while learning the history and significance of Ikebana. All materials are provided including mini Kenzan, and Snow Peak’s iconic backpackers cup to take home as well as complimentary refreshments, including Japanese tea and coffee from the Snow Peak Café.
For more information and booking, please check out the Kokedama & Ikebana Workshop page.
June 6th: Japanese Conversation Group
- Date: Tuesday, June 6th 2023
- Time: 19:00 – 23:00
- Cost: No Booking Required – Just turn up and pay at the door a small fee to cover the costs of the buffet
- Location: Shakespeare’s Head, 29 Great Marlborough Street, Soho, London W1F 7HZ
The Japanese Conversation Group provides a friendly and informal atmosphere for Japanese speakers of all nationalities to come together and speak Japanese – intermediate level recommended. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month. They begin at 7.00pm and finish around 11.00pm.
For more information, please visit the Japanese Conversation Group page.
June 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th: Shorinji Kempo – Self defence, Meditation & Fitness
- Date : Tuesday, June 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th 2023
- Time : 19:45 – 21:30
- Fee: Free, but need to reserve a spot
- Location: St Marylebone School, 64 Marylebone High Street, London, W1U 5BA
Learn a practical Japanese self-defence martial art in a fun, friendly and safe environment. Through training you develop a calm mind, heightened awareness, self-confidence and improve your fitness. The entrance to the school is through a gate at the back of the church, in the church gardens. Press the buzzer to be let in, then go diagonally across the astroturf pitch and down the stairs. The studio is at the bottom level, the entrance is through the sports hall.
For more information, please check the Shorinji Kempo: Self defence, Meditation & Fitness page for various dates.
June 7th: Guntai and Makiage Shibori with Indigo dyeing
- Date: Wednesday, June 7th 2023
- Time: 18:30 to 21:30
- Fee: £57.90
- Location: Artist’s studio, 108 Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill, London N10 2AE (*Meeting place will be emailed 24 – 48 hours before the class)
Guntai and Makiage Shibori are two traditional Shibori techniques that combine stitching and binding together. Both techniques offer a wide range of design possibilities, especially when the patterns are repeated. In this class, you will be taught how to make each technique and dye your work in indigo. You will pattern and dye a project cotton tote bag, included in the class price. Could make a perfect present for a loved one (or you could just keep it yourself!)
For more information and booking, please visit the Guntai and makiage shibori with indigo dyeing page.
June 8th: Studio based Boshi shibori capping and reserved grounds with indigo dyeing
- Date: Thursday, June 8th 2023
- Time: 18:30 to 21:30
- Fee: £57.90
- Location: Artist’s studio, 108 Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill, London N10 2AE (*Meeting place will be emailed 24 – 48 hours before the class)
Learn how to use Boshi (capping) Shibori techniques to create decorative resist patterns on fabric and dye your pieces with indigo dye. Boshi means ‘hat’ or ‘cap’ in Japan and these techniques were used to cover areas of the fabric to keep the dye out. Please bring rubber gloves (must cover your wrists), an apron or wear old clothes and bring a strong plastic bag to take your wet work home in.
For more information and booking, please check out the Studio based Boshi shibori capping and reserved grounds with indigo dyeing page.
June 8th: Happy Origami Workshop
- Date & Time: Thursday, June 8th 19:00 – 20:30 | Saturday, June 10th 14:00 – 15:30
- Fee: £15
- Location: THE SNOOTY FOX (Opposite Canonbury Overground Station), 75 Grosvenor Avenue, London, N5 2NN
This is a wonderful Origami experience where you will learn about Japanese traditions. Just by folding paper, you will be happy and calm and before long it will bring a smile to your face. Japanese Origami artist Toshiko, a member of British Origami Society, will be teaching you how to fold beautiful flowers like tulips and lilies, kimono book marks, lovely gift & jewellery boxes and kawaii dress bunting.
For more information and booking, please check the Happy Origami Workshop page.
June 8th: “I Like You, I Like You Very Much” (Film)
- Date: Thursday, June 8th 2023
- Time: Starts at 18:30
- Admission: £14.50
- Location: Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
A gay man in a relationship considers a sexual encounter with another man in this fresh, sexy romance from Hiroyuki Oki. ‘I Like You, I Like You Very Much’ is a surprisingly touching romance from avant-garde filmmaker Hiroyuki Oki. Freewheeling, sometimes sweet and often sexy, it’s one of the most intriguing gay films to emerge from Japan.
For more information and booking, please check out the Queer 90s Film ‘I Like You, I Like You Very Much’ page.
June 8th & 17th: Kintsugi Workshop
Date & Time, Fee and Location
- Thursday, June 8th 2023: 19:30 – 21:00 | £28 | Mini Picassos, 8 Station Terrace, Kensal Rise, London NW10 5RT
- Saturday, June 17th 2023: 14:00 – 15:30 | £28 | KGU5s 130 Mortimer Road, Kensal Green, London NW10 5SN
The idea of this workshop is to repair a loved item, joining together the fractures using the Japanese Kintsugi method – applying the resin glue to the broken sections and making it whole once more. The Kintsugi method celebrates the beauty of the scars in an object and recognises that the history should be shown and not hidden. All the kit needed for this workshop is provided.
For booking and more info, please check these pages: June 8th Kintsugi Workshop | June 17th Kintsugi Workshop
June 9th: Shodo Japanese Calligraphy Course
- Date: Friday, June 9th 2023
- Time: 13:30 – 16:30
- Fee: £58
- Location: London Shodo, The Art Worker’s Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT (first floor)
All materials included and the utensils are prepared. You’ll have 90min x2 (3 hours) of hands-on instruction, including 1 to 1 help and learn essential brush movements, calligraphy techniques and how to use all four treasures of the studies, brush, paper, ink and ink stone. There will be various templates (seasonal inspired) prepared for different levels so each individual can learn and develop in the most effective way. Learners will be supported and given feedback and corrections if they do home-practice.
For booking and more info, please check the Shodo Japanese Calligraphy Course page or School of SHODO The Art of Japanese Calligraphy page.
June 11th: The Art of the Broken – Kintsugi Workshop with Iku Nishikawa
- Date: Sunday, June 11th 2023
- Time: 12:00 – 14:30 & 15:00 – 17:30
- Fee: £130.72
- Location: Studio Pottery London, 29 Eccleston Place, London, SW1W 9NF
Kintsugi is the centuries-old Japanese repair technique which uses Japanese lacquer (urushi) dusted with powdered precious metals to restore broken ceramic vessels. During this workshop, you can gain practical kintsugi repair skills while fixing a crack on a ceramic item using urushi and powdered brass. You can take away your finished pieces, along with the knowledge of how to use kintsugi techniques to repair your own broken items at home.
For booking and more info, please visit these page: Kintsugi Workshop with Iku Nishikawa for 12:00 – 14:30 | Kintsugi Workshop with Iku Nishikawa for 15:00 – 17:30
June 14th: Hishaki-nui (stitch on the fold) Shibori with indigo (Studio)
- Date: Wednesday, June 14th 2023
- Time: 18:30 to 21:30
- Fee: £57.90
- Location: Artist’s studio, 108 Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill, London N10 2AE (*Meeting place will be emailed 24 – 48 hours before the class)
Learn Hishaki-nui shibori (stitching on the fold) to make a variety of traditional patterns and dye your work with indigo. In this class, you will learn Hishaki-nui and Miru shibori stitching techniques. These Shibori techniques are all stitched on the fold. Hishaki-nui techniques make symmetrical patterns and Miru shibori patterns comprise several parallel rows of stitching to create a woodgrain effect.
For more info and booking, please check the Hishaki-nui (stitch on the fold) Shibori with indigo (Studio) page.
June 18th: WSET Level 1 Award in Sake Course (Classroom Format)
- Date: Sunday, June 18th 2023
- Time: 10:30 – 17:30
- Cost: £185
- Location: West London Wine School, located inside The Wine Cellars (access via the Big Yellow Storage Company entrance) 71 Townmead Road, Fulham, London SW6 2SG
This is an enjoyable, relaxed and interactive one-day course covering all the basics of sake production, premium sake categories, storage and service. After completing this perfect introduction to Japan’s most famous beverage course, you will be able to order sake in a restaurant with confidence, effectively describe the styles you enjoy drinking to help discover new favourite sake styles, and be able to pair sake with a wide variety of foods.
For more information and booking, please visit the West London Wine School WSET Level 1 Award in Sake: One Day Course page.
June 21st: Meet the Brewer – Naoki Toyota from The Sparkling Sake Brewery
- Date: Wednesday, June 21st 2023
- Time: 19:30 – 21:00
- Cost: £27.80
- Location: SAKE COLLECTIVE, 144 Commercial Street, London E1 6NU
For this event, SAKE COLLECTIVE team will be joined by Naoki Toyota, founder and master brewer of The Sparkling Sake Brewery. During this tasting, you will be able to try 3 drinks: their classic bottle, a seasonal variation flavoured with natural rhubarb, and an exclusive version of their next seasonal bottle, right before its second fermentation! Please bring a valid physical ID (passport, national ID card, driving licence). Photos of IDs WON’T BE ACCEPTED.
For more information and booking, please visit the Meet The Brewer page.
June 24th: Okinawa Day 2023
- Date: Saturday, June 24th 2023
- Time: 11:00 – 17:00
- Admission: Free
- Location: The Blue Market, Bermondsey, London SE16 3UQ
Since 1999, London Okinawa Sanshinkai has been introducing the culture of Okinawa (the southernmost islands of Japan) to the UK through music and dance performances. Their main event “Okinawa Day” has celebrated the richness and uniqueness of Okinawan culture since 2009.
For more info, please visit the Okinawa Day 2023 page.
June 24th: Luca and Sunshine – Apprentices (Katsura Sunshine’s Rakugo with Luca Cupani)
Rakugo in English: Katsura Sunshine
- Date: Saturday, June 24th 2023
- Time: 15:30 – 16:50
- Ticket Price: £23
- Location: Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester place, London, WC2H 7BX
Stand-up comedian Luca Cupani, from Italy, and Japanese traditional comic “Rakugo” storyteller Katsura Sunshine, from Canada, apprentice to each other! The result is a hilarious and totally unique hour of cross-cultural comedy like you have never seen! Rakugo is a 400-year-old tradition of comic storytelling in Japan. Take a look at the YouTube video above for Katsura in action and what to expect,
For booking tickets, please visit the Leicester Square Theatre Luca and Sunshine – Apprentices page.
June 25th: Japanese Tea Ceremony
- Date : Sunday, June 25th 2023
- Time : 14:00 – 17:00
- Fee: £10
- Location: Shumei UK, London Irish Centre, Ground floor (accessed from Murray Street), 50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB
A Great Opportunity to Experience and Enjoy Tranquil Beauty of Japanese tea ceremony! 茶の湯 – The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese art involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea, preceded by handcrafted Japanese sweets. You will be served with a bowl of Matcha tea prepared and presened by the host in Mushano Koji Senke manner. Japanese handcrafted sweets will be offered prior to the presentation of tea ceremony.
For more information and booking, please visit the Japanese Tea Ceremony page.
June 29th: Kokedama Workshop
- Date : Thursday, June 29th 2023
- Time : 18:30 – 20:00
- Fee: £81.44
- Location: Plant Designs Shop, 18 Exmouth Market London EC1R 4QE
Learn how to make your own hanging kokedama moss ball, a beautiful and natural way to display plants in your home. The ticket includes all materials needed to make kokedama, refreshments for the evening, and of course advice from the team guiding you along. You will also have the opportunity to explore their houseplant shop after hours, with an added 10% off purchases for the evening 🌿
For more information and booking, please visit the Kokedama Workshop page.
Ongoing Japanese Events in June: Aizome – The Craft of Japanese Indigo-dyeing (Exhibition) | Japan’s Festival Floats (Exhibition) | Design Studio nendo and Doraemon (Display)
1) Aizome – The Craft of Japanese Indigo-dyeing
Top: Fujisawa Emi; Yatsumoto Kaori; Janice Gunner
Centre: Rhyannan Hall; Jane Callender; Asai Naoyuki
Bottom: Luisa Uribe; Erna Janine; Rob Jones
- Date: Thursday May 11th to Friday July 28th 2023
- Time: Weekdays 10:00 – 17:00 (Closed weekends & UK bank holidays)
- Admission: Free, but photo ID is required
- Location: Embassy of Japan in the UK, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT
Indigo is one of the oldest plant dyes in existence. Since it made its way into Japan approximately 1400 years ago, indigo would enjoy popularity among aristocrats and commoners at various points in history. The influence of aizome can be widely seen inside and out of Japan. This exhibition brings together highly skilled artists whose works show the respect for tradition and spirit of innovation, in a variety of materials including textiles, leather, paper and pearl.
For more information, please visit the Aizome – The Craft of Japanese Indigo-dyeing page.
2) Japan’s Festival Floats
- Date: Thursday April 20th to Sunday July 2nd 2023
- Time: Daily 10:00 – 17:00
- Admission: Free
- Location: The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
This beautifully crafted model of a festival float, set on a wheeled carriage, was donated to the British Museum by the art dealership Yamanaka & Co. in 1908, to mark the Olympic Games in London. Japan’s longstanding custom of staging local festivals is well documented in paintings, prints and books. The display also features some of the objects from the British Museum collection that record and celebrate this history.
For more information and booking, please check the Japan’s Festival Floats page.
3) Design Studio nendo and Doraemon (Display)
- Date: Friday March 3rd to Sunday July 2nd 2023
- Time: Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 20:00 | Sundays and Bank Holidays 12:00 – 18:00
- Admission: Free
- Location: Ground Floor, Japan House, London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA
Items from Design Studio nendo (including a series of knots to represent each country in the 2019 Rugby World Cup) are featured alongside the manga cat robot Doraemon in this booth display. Doraemon is a leading Japanese manga series by Fujiko F Fujio, first serialized in magazines in 1970. The manga has been translated into 12 languages in 17 countries and the animation has been broadcast in 55 countries, with a total of 300 million copies of Doraemon books having been sold worldwide.
For more information, please visit the Design Studio nendo and Draemon page.
Outside of London Events: Japanese Zen Garden Workshop (Brighton) | Kanpai – Japanese Street Food (Brighton) | Nihongo Yoga (Edinburgh) | Forest Bathing + Mindfulness in Nature (Wendover Woods, Alice Holt Forest, West Walk, Leith Hill, RSPB The Lodge) | Japanese Book Club (Edinburgh) | Make Your Own O-Mamori (Edinburgh) | *Evening Solstice Special* Unwind in the Woods – Forest Bathing at Salcey (Northampton)
1) June 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd: Japanese Zen Garden Workshop (Brighton)
- Date & Time: Thursday June 1st, June 8th, June 15th, June 22nd (17:30 – 19:00) | Friday June 2nd, June 9th, June 16th, June 23rd (16:30 – 18:00) | Wednesday June 7th, June 14th, June 21st (17:00 – 18:30)
- Fee: £16.76
- Location: Plus X Brighton, Plus X Innovation Hub, Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 4GL
Rocks, sand, plants and rakes. These are the elements of forming a Japanese zen garden, a kind of Japanese traditional art that you can find in Japanese temples. In the workshop, you will be introduced the concepts and basic techniques of Japanese Zen Garden. An individual table set of zen garden materials will be provided. At the end of the soul calming journey, you will have a cuppa of Japanese green tea as a curtain fall of the workshop. No experience is needed.
For booking and more info, please check the Japanese Zen Garden Workshop page for various dates (choose Date and Time from More options).
2) June 2nd: Kanpai | Japanese Street Food at the Brewery (Brighton)
- Date: Friday, June 2nd 2023
- Time: 17:00 – 21:00
- Admission: Free, but need to reserve a spot
- Location: Brighton Bier | Brewery + Taproom, Unit 10, Bell Tower Industrial Estate, Roedean Road, Brighton BN2 0JB
Kanpai Japanese Street Food return to the Brewery!
You’ll find steaming Gyozas, crispy fried Chicken, teriyaki burgers & much more!
For more info, please check the Kanpai | Japanese Street Food at the Brewery page.
3) June 4th: Nihongo Yoga (with Japanese and English) & Social Meeting (Edinburgh)
- Date: Sunday, June 4th 2023
- Time: 11:00 – 12:30 (about 45mins yoga practice & 45 mins tea time)
- Fee: £10 although if you bring snacks to share with everyone it is half price.
- Location: Yoga Studio Art and Spirituality, 6-8 Alexander Drive, Gorgie, Edinburgh, EH11 2RH
This is a unique class for people who study Japanese or like Japanese culture and allows them to have the chance to meet new like-minded people. Instructor Kotomi will conduct the class in both English and Japanese. She enjoys spending time with class participants after sessions and for everyone to socialise and get to know each other. At Nihongo Yoga, you can get plenty of opportunity to talk after.
You can find more event information here: Nihongo Yoga with Japanese and English & Social Meeting.
4) June 6th, 10th, 11th, 18th & 30th: Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature (Leith Hill, Wendover Woods, Alice Holt Forest, West Walk, RSPB The Lodge)
Learn about the latest science on nature and health, and experience for yourself the health benefits of spending time in woodlands. Although you’ll learn about science and their latest research, this isn’t an intellectual exercise; you will also experience how to relax deeply in nature. Think of Forest Bathing as mindful time spent amongst trees.
Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature at Wendover Woods
- Tuesday June 6th 2023: 8:30 – 11:00 | £38.93 | Wendover Woods, Upper Icknield Way, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury HP22 5NQ
*For booking and more info, please check the Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature at Wendover Woods page.
Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature at Alice Holt Forest
- Saturday June 10th 2023: 10:00 – 12:00 | £32.80 | Alice Holt Forest, Dockenfield Street, Binstead GU10 4LS
*For booking and more info, please check the Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature at Alice Holt Forest page.
Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature at West Walk
- Sunday June 11th 2023: 10:00 – 12:00 | £32.80 | West Walk (Hundred Acres wood), Hundred Acres Road, Wickham PO17 6JD
*For booking and more info, please check the Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature at West Walk page.
Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature at Leith Hill
- Sunday, June 18th 2023 | 10:00 – 12:30 | £39.22 | Leith Hill Rhododendron Wood Car Park, Dorking RH5 6LU
*For booking & more info, please check the Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature at Leith Hill
Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature at RSPB The Lodge
- Friday June 30th 2023: 18:30 – 21:30 | £45.32 | RSPB The Lodge, Potton Road, Sandy SG19 2DL
*For booking and more info, please visit the Forest Bathing+Mindfulness in Nature at RSPB The Lodge page.
5) June19th: Japanese Book Club (Edinburgh)
- Date: Monday, June 19th 2023
- Time: 17:30 – 19:00
- Event fee: £15 full price; £12 concession
- Location: ELREC Meeting Room on the Ground Floor (Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council, 14 Forth St, Edinburgh EH1 3LH)
Join Japanese tutors Elly and Hitomi Kobayashi for a relaxed evening of reading and conversation in central Edinburgh. The Japanese Book Club is a monthly event through which learners gather to explore a variety of bite-sized materials, with something for all levels, from beginner to advanced.
For more information and booking, please visit the IppoIppo Japanese Book Club Event page.
6) June 21st: Make Your Own O-mamori (Edinburgh)
- Date: Wednesday, June 21st 2023
- Time: 17:30 – 19:00
- Ticket fee: £25
- Location: Support the Makers, 101 Easter Road, Edinburgh EH7 5PP
Try your hand at making Japanese o-mamori: lucky amulets. No Japanese or crafts knowledge required! O-mamori are typically sold at shrines and temples in Japan and are popular ways of seeking good luck in exams, employment, health, childbirth and much more. Sold in many different colours and patterns, o-mamori typically have a string attached to them with a traditional decorative knot which means you can easily tie the o-mamori to your bag or hang it somewhere at home.
For more information and booking, please check the Make Your Own O-Mamori page.
7) June 23rd: *Evening Solstice Special* Unwind in the Woods – Forest Bathing at Salcey (Northampton)
- Date: Friday, June 23rd 2023
- Time: 17:30 – 20:30
- Cost: £33.22
- Location: Salcey Forest, Wootton Road, Northampton NN7 2HX
Celebrate the summer solstice with an evening among the beautiful trees of Salcey. Forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) involves immersing ourselves in the woods. Tuning in to our senses lets us relax and reconnect with nature, while research is beginning to reveal how time spent under the canopy of trees gives us a mental and physical boost. Your 3-hour session will involve a gentle walk through the forest, with regular stops for a series of sensory activities designed to calm body and mind.
For more information and booking, please check the Evening Solstice Special – Unwind in the Woods: Forest Bathing at Salcey page.
Your reviews of Japanese Events June 2023
We hope you found our Japanese Events for June round up helpful, and you’re able to check out some of these fantastic events!
We’ll be updating this Japanese Events June 2023 page as we get more info, so please do come back to check it from time to time, and please feel free to comment below on your experience if you were able to attend! This will give our readers a better idea of what to expect and may encourage them to join future events by the same organizers.
Also, if you’d like to submit information for your Japanese event coming up in June or July, please get in touch with us through our contact form.
