The biggest Japanese art and culture related events in the UK are taking place this June making for an exciting few weeks ahead and you can find the date and details of each one in our Japanese Events in July calendar below.
A few of the highlighted art events in July include ‘Hokusai’ exhibitions to see the impressive works of Hokusai, the most renowned ukiyo-e (woodblock print) artist, ‘Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825 – 1895′ to discover the dynamic history of Edo (modern day Tokyo) through intricate Japanese woodblock prints, and for more modern art, there’s the ‘Exhibition: Yoshida – Seasons through the Eyes of a Family’ and ‘Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking’.
Then to explore the culture of Japan, ‘HYPER JAPAN 2024 Festival’ at Olympia is an extremely popular event to attend as it’s the UK’s biggest Japanese Culture Event bringing the ‘now’ of Japan to the UK. Want to know what to expect? Check out our HYPER JAPAN 2022 review. Also if you’re close to Derby or can make it there, you can enjoy Japanese culture with lively performances, fun activities and a range of stalls at ‘Japan FEST’.
For those who are interested in sake, there’s the ‘Exclusive Sake Tasting’ and ‘Serpent & Sake III | Sake Tasting, Sake Cocktails and Mythology’ to taste different sakes as well as getting to know about the world of sake.
Meanwhile Japanese foodies can indulge in the ‘Byredo Afternoon Tea’ for Japanese inspired superb dishes or ‘Seasonal Omakase Experience’ for a journey through the art of sushi, exclusive 6-course dinner, both available at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square.
Apart from those mentioned above, there are quite a few interesting Japanese events in July across the UK, such as ‘Japan Showcase’ for an insight into tailor-made tours to Japan and ‘Hayao Miyazaki’s Dreams’ for magical music from Studio Ghibli movies. You can also try your hand at Sushi Making, Ikebana Flower Arranging, Art of Wabi Sabi, and Suminagashi paper marbling.
July 2nd: Japanese Conversation Group
- Date: Tuesday, July 2nd 2024
- Time: 19:00 – 23:00
- Admission: £3 without buffet, £5 – £6 with buffet. Discounts available for students and Japan Society members. Advance registration is not required.
- 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.
July 5th: Exclusive Sake Tasting
- Date: Friday, July 5th 2024
- Time: 19:30 – 21:00
- Cost: £27.80
- Location: Sake Collective, 144 Commercial Street, London E1 6NU
Join this exclusive sake tasting and explore a range of authentic sakes, from Junmai to premium Junmai Daiginjo. Experience unique flavours crafted by independent Japanese breweries. Perfect for beginners and masters, this guided tasting offers an enlightening journey through the art of sake.
For more information and booking, please check out the Exclusive Sake Tasting page.
July 5th: Serpent & Sake III | Sake Tasting, Sake Cocktails and Mythology
- Date: Friday, July 5th 2024
- Time: 18:30 – 20:30
- Cost: £38.62
- Location: ANIMA, 2s Ferry Lane, Brentford TW8 0AT
Immersive Sake and Cocktail experience at ANIMA in collaboration with Gyoza San. A perfect blend of tradition with innovation, offering a delightful twist on classic concoctions. Whether you’re a sake enthusiast, a mixology fiend or simply curious about the fascinating tales behind this iconic Japanese beverage, this event promises to be an unforgettable evening of discovery and enjoyment.
For more information and booking, please check the Serpent & Sake III | Sake Tasting, Sake Cocktails and Mythology page.
July 6th: Sushi Making Class
- Date: Saturday, July 6th 2024
- Time: 11:00 – 14:00 | 15:30 – 18:30
- Cost: £99
- Location: Atsuko’s Kitchen, 57 Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG
Join the most popular hands-on practical sushi making class with Sushi Made Simple cookbook author, Atsuko! She will guide you through the art of the sushi making process, step-by-step, combining traditional techniques and new approaches. First, you will learn how to cook classic premium white sushi rice, then make a variety of sushi including maki (hosomaki, California roll and temaki hand roll), and some kinds of nigiri.
For booking and more info, please check out the Sushi Making Classes page.
July 7th and 21st : Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshop
- Date: Sunday, July 7th and July 21st 2024
- Time: 14:00 – 16:00
- Cost: £65 – £125 (£125 per guest when you book for 1 guest, £100 for 2+ guests, £65 for 10+ guests. £45 per class surcharge applies for private classes)
- Location: The Flower Factory, 12 – 18 Hoxton Street, London N1 6NG
Join this London experience and make your very own Ikebana flower arrangements with a modern twist. You will learn all about Japanese flower arranging called Ikebana. Delve into this gentle and important art form and step back from your busy life. Unwind, connect with nature, and enjoy learning something new. All the materials including container and seasonal flowers/foliage to take home.
For more information and booking, please visit the Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshop page.
July 13th: Hayao Miyazaki’s Dreams by Mystery Ensemble
- Date: Saturday, July 13th 2024
- Time: 20:00 – 21:00
- Ticket: From £20.21
- Location: Kensington United Reformed Church, Allen Street, London W8 6B
The Miyazaki Dreams concert is an immersion in the fabulous atmosphere of the films of the world-famous Japanese director and Oscar winner Hayao Miyazaki. Mystery Ensemble has collected magical music from his cartoons and compositions inspired by his creations. The evening programme includes renowned works composed by ingenious Joe Hisaishi, including My Neighbor Totoro, the legendary movie Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Laputa: Castle in the Sky and others.
For more information and booking, please check the Hayao Miyazaki’s Dreams by Mystery Ensemble page.
July 19th – 21st: Hyper Japan Festival
- Date: Friday, July 19th to Sunday, July 21st 2024
- Time: Friday 12:00 – 20:00 | Saturday 10:00 – 20:00 | Sunday 10:00 – 17:00
- Ticket: Friday £25.44 | Saturday £38.16 | Sunday £28.62 | 3 Day Pass £73.14 | Children 10 years old and under: Free
- Location: OLYMPIA London, Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
HYPER JAPAN has been held since 2010 in London, an influential trendsetting city, with the aim of communicating the appeal of Japan’s outstanding culture, including technology, fashion, art, traditional products, traditional culture and martial arts, to a wide range of generations. As the UK’s largest Japanese cultural event, HYPER JAPAN brings the ‘now’ of Japan to the UK and beyond.
For booking and more info, please check out the HYPER JAPAN 2024 Festival page.
Ongoing Japanese Events in July: Yoshida – Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking | Exhibition: Yoshida – Seasons through the Eyes of a Family | Design Discovery of the Week | Byredo Afternoon Tea | Seasonal Omakase Experience
1) Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking
- Date: Wednesday, June 19th to Sunday, November 3rd 2024
- Gallery Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 inc. bank holidays
- Admission: Adult with donation £20 *More options and concessions are available.
- Location: Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, London, SE21 7AD
Meet the Yoshida dynasty of artists. Featuring over 75 exquisite prints, this exhibition journeys from the rich, nostalgic landscapes of the prolific artist and patriarch of the family, Hiroshi to the abstract work of the family’s later and current generations. The first of its kind in the UK – and Europe more widely – this exhibition shines a spotlight on three generations of woodblock print artists and traces the evolution of Japanese printmaking across two centuries.
For more information and booking, please check the Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking page.
2) Exhibition: Yoshida – Seasons through the Eyes of a Family
- Date: Wednesday, June 5th to Wednesday, July 31st 2024
- Time: Weekdays 9:30 – 17:30 | Closed weekends and Monday, July 15th (Japanese Holiday)
- Admission: Free, but photo ID is required
- Location: Embassy of Japan in the UK, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT
The Yoshida family of artists has created an important legacy across multiple generations in a wide variety of media, styles, and techniques. Their dedication to passing on knowledge and techniques and their willingness to push boundaries have helped cement their artistic heritage which over time has evolved from using a traditional Japanese style to producing modern Western-style art, and finally to post-modernism.
For more information, please visit the Exhibition: Yoshida – Seasons through the Eyes of a Family page.
3) Design Discovery of the Week
- Date: Tuesday, May 28th to Tuesday, September 3rd 2024
- Time: Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 20:00 | Sundays and Bank Holidays 12:00 – 18:00
- Admission: Free | Booking Recommended
- Location: The Gallery, Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA
The exhibition asks questions about the significance of design and what should be included in a permanent collection of Japanese design if such a collection existed. Each section of the exhibition features one design treasure chosen by a Japanese creator, ranging from spinning tops to Jōmon period village design and 3D sportswear.
For more information, please check out the Design Discovery of the Week page.
4) Byredo Afternoon Tea at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square
- Date: Monday to Sunday
- Time: 12:45 – 17:30
- Price: £70 | £63 for vegan option
- Location: The Lounge, Nobu Hotel London, 22 Portman Square, London EC2Y 8DS
Experience a range of Japanese inspired dishes alongside classic British afternoon favourites at Nobu Lounge in the heart of Marylebone. Enjoy a selection of Cup Sushi, crispy Chicken Kara-age, Wakamomo Peach Mousse – to name but a few. On the menu you will also find the Byredo Renaissance Tea – originating from Southern Japan, RENAISSANCE combines vegetal and umami notes with invigorating essences. Bold and expressive Sencha meets peppermint, aromatic basil, fiery black pepper, and tantalising chilli in an evocative infusion that envelops the palate and leaves a memorable impression, perfect to accompany the Afternoon Tea experience.
For more information and booking, please check the Byredo Afternoon Tea page.
5) Seasonal Omakase Experience at Nobu Portman Square Restaurant
- Date: Monday to Sunday
- Available for Dinner: Monday – Thursday 18:00 – 22:00 | Friday – Saturday 18:00 – 22:30 | Sunday 18:00 – 22:00
- Price: £190
- Location: Nobu Portman Square Restaurant, Nobu Hotel London, 22 Portman Square, London EC2Y 8DS
Located in the heart of Marylebone, Nobu Portman Square Restaurant introduces an exclusive 6-course Seasonal Omakase experience. Take your seat at Nobu whilst your dedicated team of experts hand-craft a journey through the art of sushi. Expect courses and dishes based upon Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s travels and iconic creations, with the buzz of Nobu Restaurant around you.
For more information and booking, please visit the Seasonal Omakase Experience page.
Outside of London Japanese Events: | Japan Showcase (Alresford) | Hokusai: A Vision Above (Norwick) | Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825 – 1895 (Guildford) | Private Tour – Edo Pop: Japanese Prints (Guildford) | Art of Wabi Sabi Workshop (Brighton) | Japan FEST (Derby) | Sushi Making Workshop (High Wycombe) | Hokusai: Art Beyond Boundaries (Norwick) | Learn Suminagashi (Ludlow)
1) Japan Showcase
- Date: Tuesday, July 2nd 2024
- Time: 14:00 – 15:30
- Admission: Free | RSVP online or call/pop in store to secure your place
- Location: New Era Travel, 22 West Street, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9AT
Always wanted to see the Cherry Blossom or ride the iconic bullet train? Don’t miss New Era Travel’s Japan Showcase. This complimentary event will see Brian from Links Travel & Tours giving you an insight into tailor-made tours to Japan. Learn about the range of experiences on offer and the benefits of booking with a family-run specialist tour operator.
For more information, please check the Japan Showcase page.
2) Hokusai: A Vision Above
- Date: Friday, July 5th to Saturday, July 13th 2024
- Time: 10:00 – 16:00 daily
- Admission: Free | No registration required
- Location: SAINSBURY INSTITUTE – WELLS MALTINGS, STAITHE ST, WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA, NORFOLK NR23 1AN
This exhibition brings to the UK for the first time high-resolution reproductions of Hokusai’s works housed at the Hokusai-kan Museum in Japan, accompanied by a series of talks and events. Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) is perhaps Japan’s most renowned artist, particularly famous for his work ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’.
For more information, please visit the Hokusai: A Vision Above page.
3) Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825 – 1895
- Date: Tuesday, March 19th to Sunday, October 6th 2024
- Time: Open daily 10:30 – 17:00 including bank holidays (Last admission is 16:30)
- Admission: Adults £15 | Adults with Gift Aid £16.50 | Under 16 and Friends: Free
- Location: Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Down Lane, Compton, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1DQ
Travel to the bustling metropolis of Edo through 19th-century Japanese woodblock prints. Discover the dynamic history of Edo (1604-1868), modern day Tokyo, a thriving hub that flourished during a time of seclusion and tranquillity. From domestic scenes to the entertainment district (Yoshiwara), be immersed in the captivating world of Ukiyo-e, the intricate Japanese woodblock prints that portray the characters and daily lives of Edo’s locals.
For more information and booking, please check out the Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825 – 1895 page.
4) Private Tour – Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825–1895 & Hiroko Imada at Watts
- Date: Saturday, July 13th 2024
- Time: Shuttle bus departure from Guildford Train Station: 10.15am / Tour starts at the exhibition entrance of Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825–1895: 11:00am / Shuttle bus departure to Guildford Train Station: 5.00pm
- Cost: £30 (Non-member) | £28 (Members of The Japan Society and their family and friends)
- Location: Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Down Lane, Guildford GU3 1DQ
Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825–1895 explores the dynamic history of Edo, modern day Tokyo, a thriving hub that flourished during a time of seclusion and tranquillity. Focusing on the period 1825 – 1895, this is the first public display for a number of Japanese woodblock prints that portray the characters and daily lives of Edo’s locals. Participants may wish to buy lunch at the Watts Gallery Tea Shop or bring a packed lunch with them.
For more information and booking, please check the Private Tour – Edo Pop: Japanese Prints page.
5) Art of Wabi Sabi Workshop
- Date: Saturday, July 13th 2024
- Time: 14:00 – 17:00
- Cost: £54.88
- Location: Mid Street Lab, 80 Saint George’s Road, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1EF
The session begins with a short mind/body centering exercise to help you transition from thinking to feeling. You’ll learn about the beauty of Wabi Sabi (imperfection and simplicity) and have the opportunity to experiment and create multiple paintings.
For more information and booking, please visit the Art of Wabi Sabi Workshop page.
6) Japan FEST Derby
- Date: Saturday, July 13th 2024
- Time: 11:00 – 17:00
- Admission: Single Ticket £20 | Family Ticket £50 *Booking Fees Apply
- Location: Derby Quad, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3AS
An event to celebrate Japanese Culture for the 3rd time in Derby. This event is being meticulously crafted by passionate and motivated individuals to bring just a small taste of Japan to Derby City Centre. Activities for this cultural event include Japanese arts and crafts, authentic handmade food, Japanese inspired drinks, performances, Activity areas, and anime plus much more.
For more information and booking, please check out the Japan FEST Derby 2024 page.
7) Sushi Making Workshop
- Date: Saturday, July 13th 2024
- Time: 13:00 – 14:30
- Price: £40 (includes all ingredients, a drink + 17 pieces of sushi for you to takeaway and enjoy).
- Location: The Front Room, High Wycombe, 9 Castle St, High Wycombe HP13 6RZ
This 90-minute hands-on Sushi Making Class will teach you how to make 4 different kinds of authentic sushi (Smoked Salmon Temarizushi, Sweetcorn Gunkanzushi, Cucumber and Yukari Hosomaki, Tuna Surirachamayo Futomaki) in a relaxed and fun environment.
For more information and booking, please check the Sushi Making Workshop in High Wycombe page.
8) Hokusai: Art Beyond Boundaries
- Date: Wednesday, July 17th to Thursday, July 25th 2024
- Time: 10:00 – 16:00 daily
- Admission: Free | No registration required
- Location: SAINSBURY INSTITUTE – WELLS MALTINGS, STAITHE ST, WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA, NORFOLK NR23 1AN
This exhibition brings together a number of works from the extensive collection of Hokusai-kan (in Nagano, Japan), including Hokusai-painted works of a dragon, a phoenix, and a pair of waves, which were painted on the ceilings of two festival carts, as well as the impressive masterpiece from the ceiling of Ganshoin temple. Accompanied by a series of talks and events, this exhibition is part of the anniversary program celebrating 25 years of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures.
For more information, please visit the Hokusai: Art Beyond Boundaries page.
9) Learn Suminagashi (Japanese paper marbling)
- Date: Saturday, July 27th 2024
- Time: 10:00 – 15:00
- Fee: £95
- Location: appleTeme at the Old Brewery, Lloyds Yard off Corve Street, Ludlow, SY8 1DJ
The art of suminagashi (floating ink), the Japanese form of paper marbling, is both compelling and intriguing. The workshop starts at 10 a.m. with coffee and a look at the history of suminagashi and what you need to get started. There will be demonstrations and plenty of opportunities to unleash your creativity and to ask questions! No previous art training is needed. The cost is £95 to include all materials and tuition plus refreshments.
For more information and booking, please check the Learn Suminagashi page.
We hope you found our Japanese Events in July 2024 round up helpful, and you’re able to check out some of these fantastic events!
We’ll be updating this event page as we get more info, so be sure to come back and check the latest events listed.
Also, 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.
If you’d like to submit information for your Japanese event coming up in July or August, please get in touch with us through our contact form.
