Supported by the Embassy of Japan in Hungary, the two-day event offers the international community a chance to engage with everything from ancient tea ceremonies to modern cinema.

The festival is spread across three main locations in the 18th district: the Lőrinc Library, the Pestszentimre Community House, and the Kondor Béla Community House.

Friday, April 17: Library Programs

Location: Lőrinc Library

The first day of the event focuses on literature, crafts, and insights into daily life. Entry to all Friday sessions is free of charge.

All Day: Curated Japanese book recommendations.
10:00 – 12:00: Japanese folk tales and origami sessions.
14:00 – 15:00: Samurai martial arts demonstration.
15:00 – 17:00: Face painting featuring Japanese motifs.
17:00 – 18:00: A talk exploring the nuances of everyday life in Japan.
17:00 – 18:30: Hands-on craft workshop.

Saturday, April 18: Full-Day Festival

The second day moves into a full-scale festival format, split between a morning session of workshops and an afternoon of stage performances and screenings.

Morning Sessions (09:00 – 13:00) Location: Pestszentimre Community House

Saturday morning is dedicated to hands-on learning and family-friendly animation.

Film Screenings: Studio Ghibli classics My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away.
Workshops: Learn the art of Furoshiki (traditional fabric wrapping) or join a session for making bags decorated with Japanese motifs.

Afternoon & Evening (13:45 – 21:00) Location: Kondor Béla Community House

The afternoon shifts to high-energy performances and cultural deep dives on the main stage, followed by an evening film screening.

13:45 – 14:15: Taiko drum concert.
14:30 – 15:25: Martial arts demonstrations.
15:30 – 15:45: Traditional Japanese dance.
16:00 – 17:40: Instrument showcases and a bamboo flute performance.
18:00 – 18:30: Live concert.
18:30 – 21:00: A discussion on Japanese cinema followed by a screening of the acclaimed film Shoplifters.

Workshops and Lobby Activities: Throughout the day, visitors can participate in Taiko drum workshops, attend hourly tea ceremony sessions, or try on a Yukata (casual summer kimono). There will also be Zen meditation sessions and talks on Zen arts. The lobby will host a Japanese street food market featuring taiyaki and gyoza, alongside calligraphy displays, games, and book corners.

Essential Information

Dates:
April 17–18, 2026

Admission:

* Friday programs are free.
* Saturday entry is 1,000 HUF.

Note that certain workshops have limited capacity and require separate tickets.

Venues:

Lőrinc Library: 1183 Budapest, Thököly út 5.
Pestszentimre Community House: 1188 Budapest, Vasvari Pál u. 8.
Kondor Béla Community House: 1181 Budapest, Kondor Béla sétány 8.

More: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/1651153292746803/

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