Here is where you can find our round up of Japanese Events in September from across the UK. This month you can watch the Sumo live at Japan House London and check out the Shotengai market as well as the Japanese Textile and Craft Festival. Along with in-person events there are also online ones such as the Shuubun no Hi event by Ippo Ippo Japanese!
September 11th – 25th: Grand Sumo Highlights at Japan House London
Held every September in Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, this is the penultimate of Japan’s six annual Sumo Tournaments, known as honbasho. With sumo rankings released a few weeks before, it’s a chance to see the traditional sport up close and personal.
You can follow the action of this September’s Grand Sumo Tournament with a daily screening of NHK World Japan’s Grand Sumo Highlights at Japan House. As the broadcasts are in English you’ll be able to get play-by-play commentary and a deeper understanding into what is often seen to be the national sport of Japan.
Dates: 9 September 2022 (GRAND SUMO Preview)
11–25 September 2022 (GRAND SUMO Highlights)
Time: Every day at 17:30-18:00
Admission: Free
Location: The Shop, Ground Floor & The Hall, Lower Ground Floor, Japan House London
*Please note that the screening may sometimes be shown only on the Ground Floor due to Hall closures for events. Please check Japan House’s Visit Us page for any possible Hall Closures.
September 16th – 18th: Lower Stable Street Shotengai Market
Shotengai in Japan date back hundreds of years and in many areas of Japan, these free markets become covered streets with small independent retailers that are often family run. You can find all kinds of stores at Shotengai but some of the most common are bakeries, street food, clothes stores and lifesyle shops. At Lower Stable Street at Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross, you can experience a traditional outdoor market Shotegai. You can find out more information about our experience at Shotengai market here.
One new vendor for September’s edition will be AN&CO which is a creative project by Satsuki and Kaori (3AND) who produce fresh and authentic Japanese sweet azuki paste known as Anko. It’s often used as fillings for pastries and traditional sweets, and you’ll be able to purchase this Anko at their stall.
Here is the full vendor list for September’s market:
※ All days
- Ki:ts London https://kits-london.com
- ALL ITS FORMS https://instagram.com/allitsforms
- NishuraEast https://instagram.com/nishura_east
- LOH https://instagram.com/with_loh
- AN&CO https://instagram.com/an.and.co_uk
※ Weekend only
- Shima https://instagram.com/shima_ldn
- Okan https://instagram.com/okan_london
- connyz Japan https://instagram.com/connyzjapan
Date: September 16th – 18th
Time: 12pm – 7pm (Friday), 11am – 6pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Admission: Free
Location: Lower Stable Street, Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, London
September 17th: Happy Origami Workshop
Kurata Toshiko is a member of British Origami Society. She has worked with Christian Dior Fragrance in Selfridges & Penhaligon’s perfume company in Regent Street as a origami florist. She has also worked at The Handmade Fair in Hampton Court Palace, MSC cruise for the world origami voyage and Fedrigoni Italian paper company for London Design Week.
Time: Every day at 14:00
Admission: £12
Link to event
Location: THE SNOOTY FOX, Canonbury, 75 Grosvenor Ave, Mildmay Ward, N5 2NN, London
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 will be teaching you to fold beautiful flowers like tulips and lilies, kimono book marks, lovely gift & jewellery boxes and kawaii dress bunting. Every workshop has a different theme, so it’ll be wonderful surprise!
September 21st: Japan’s Autumnal Equinox: 秋分の日 (Shuubun No Hi)
On Friday 23rd September, we reach 2022’s autumnal equinox: one of two days in the year when day and night are the same length. In Japan, the changing of the seasons is traditionally a cause for celebration, with the autumnal equinox (秋分の日 – shuubun no hi) being a public holiday on which people can enjoy some time off.
There are all sorts of traditions at this time of year, from お墓参り (o-haka mairi – visiting the graves of ancestors) to enjoying some tasty dishes, to my favourite: viewing beautiful 紅葉 (kōyō – autumn leaves)!
Ippo Ippo Japanese will be holding an online event where you can learn more about:
- The history, traditions and culture of 秋分の日 (shuubun no hi)
- Popular seasonal foods
- Life in Japan as the weather gets colder
- Sightseeing spots for autumn leaves
- Handy words and phrases for autumn in Japan
Date: September 21st
Time: 18:00 (BST)
Admission: Pay as you feel
Location: Online
The event is a pay-as-you-feel event which will follow a relaxed format with plenty of chances for Q&A (verbally or in the Zoom chat).
September 28th – October 2nd: The Official Japanese Textile and Craft Festival
The Seventh edition of the Official Japanese Textile and Craft Festival will take place at @craftcentraluk situated in a historic building in the Isle of Dogs. It’s associated with Brunel’s Great Eastern ship, and now houses beautiful free-standing studios within the original structure and fittings.
The four day festival will include textiles, ceramics, woodwork, paper art and more. You can see the full list of participants in the flyer image below and the event is organised by Freeweaver Saori Studio.
The SAORI philosophy & techniques were developed in Japan almost 50 years ago by Misao Jo and is practiced by over 40,000 weavers and artists worldwide. It encourages intuitive, individual creativity and aims to bring joy to those who weave and those who receive the woven gifts. You can find more information on the Freeweaver Saori Studio website.
Date: September 28th – October 2nd
Time: 12PM – 5PM
Admission: £11.37
Location: Craft Central, London, E14 3AE
For tickets and more information, please check the Eventbrite page.
We hope you found our Japanese Events for September round up helpful and you’re able to check out some of these fantastic events! Please feel free to comment below on your experience if you were able to attend!