Nikkei Matsuri returns Sept. 1-3 at Nikkei Centre
Celebrate Japanese Culture at the Nikkei Matsuri and Zenyasai events
Nikkei Matsuri returns Sept. 1-3 at Nikkei Centre
The 11th annual Nikkei Matsuri festival takes place on September 1-3, 2023, to celebrate Japanese culture. We invite families and all ages in Metro Vancouver and beyond to join this authentic cultural celebration!
The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (NNMCC) is excited to announce the 11th annual Nikkei Matsuri, a cultural celebration of an authentic Japanese festival. Taking place at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby, this vibrant gathering will provide an immersive experience for families and individuals alike to enjoy the richness of Japanese culture.
Nikkei Matsuri is the NNMCC's largest fundraising event of the year, with all proceeds helping provide important funding for their cultural and community programs, educational outreach, and museum. This festival is not possible without the support of sponsors, donors, volunteers, community partners and members. Your contribution helps bring the community together by making enjoyable and affordable programs possible. Thank you to all our supporters!
Opening Ceremony in front of the Yagura Tower (2022)
This year, a pre-festival “Zenyasai Beer Garden” celebration with will take place on Friday, September 1, with the main festivities happening on Saturday and Sunday, September 2 & 3.
Zenyasai is an evening of music, art, and relaxation in the picturesque and festive Nikkei Garden. The event features summertime house music, hi-tech soul vibes, dancing with DJs Rennie Foster, Byegas, Move78, and live mural painting by celebrated artist Taka Sudo.
The Nikkei Matsuri festival serves as a cultural gathering place inviting everyone to participate in the celebration of Japanese heritage. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a range of dance and music performances, powerful taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations by local artists, and much more. Visit the festival website for a list of performances. Special guests KAMUI, samurai artists, are travelling from Japan to grace the event.
Samurai Artists KAMUI from Japan
Japanese drum performance by Chibi Taiko (2022)
Bushido Performance (2022)
Nikkei Matsuri Returns this Summer with Mini Matsuri – September 4 & 5, 2021
Mini Matsuri is just one of the many ways the NNMCC is working to fulfil its mission to honour, preserve, and share Japanese culture and Japanese Canadian history and heritage for a better Canada. All proceeds from Mini Matsuri will support the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (NNMCC) is excited to bring “Mini Matsuri”, a scaled back version of Nikkei Matsuri, to the community on September 4 and 5, 2021.
Nikkei Matsuri is Burnaby’s authentic family-friendly Japanese festival. It is one of Canada’s largest Japanese festivals celebrating arts, culture and heritage, and has been bringing the community together at Nikkei Centre for the last 8 years. The NNMCC adapted to public health restrictions in 2020, and this year is no exception.
Mini Matsuri is about bringing a bit of the spirit of Nikkei Matsuri to Burnaby this summer. It’s a family-friendly event, set to feature some festival favourites such as a marketplace with local vendors and artisans, cultural performances, Japanese-style games, museum exhibits, and a variety of local eateries and food trucks. The NNMCC will adapt the Mini Matsuri experience to adhere to all public health restrictions – more details to come. Be sure to follow Nikkei Matsuri on social media or visit www.nikkeimatsuri.ca for the latest updates!
“Let’s re-connect with each other, and feel the community spirit while celebrating Japanese culture”
Mini Matsuri is just one of the many ways the NNMCC is working to fulfil its mission to honour, preserve, and share Japanese culture and Japanese Canadian history and heritage for a better Canada. All proceeds from Mini Matsuri will support the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
Stay tuned for more! Visit www.nikkeimatsuri.ca for the latest.
Nikkei Matsuri: Two Days of Family-Friendly Cultural Festivities
Join in on the festivities at Nikkei Matsuri on Sat. August 31 + Sun. Sept 1! Proceeds support Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
Nikkei Matsuri is One of the Largest Japanese Festivals in Canada!
It brings an authentic family-friendly “Matsuri” (festival) experience to Burnaby every summer at Nikkei Centre over the Labour Day weekend.
Hosted by the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (NNMCC), this two-day festival on August 31 and September 1 has something for everyone, and aims to showcase the pride of Japanese culture here in Canada.
A matsuri (festival) has long been part of the cultural landscape in Japan. Many nikkei communities across North America and around the world carefully preserve and follow this tradition. Nikkei Matsuri provides a platform to celebrate Japanese culture through food, music, entertainment, games, and more.
The inaugural Nikkei Matsuri was held in 2013, and was originally organized by Nikkei Place Foundation, as a fundraiser for the NNMCC. The following summer, the organizing was handed over to the NNMCC, and has since become one of the biggest fundraising events of the year! All net proceeds benefit the NNMCC's cultural and community programs, educational outreach, and museum.
There’s plenty to see, do, and eat at Nikkei Matsuri!
Come join the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre over the Labour Day weekend to be immersed in an authentic Japanese festival in your very own community.
Enjoy delicious food offerings like manju, takoyaki, and ramen from local vendors.
Join in on the Matsuri Star Power: Spotlight Nikkei panel, and hear from Nikkei film and TV stars Tamlyn Tomita, Kevan Ohtsji, and Jennifer Spence.
Take in performances like taiko drumming and bon-odori dancing in the garden.
Play games and win prizes in the Games Zone!
See some amazing amateur talent at the Matsuri Star Talent Show in the event’s hall.
These are only some of the things to look forward to at the festival this year! Find out more at nikkeimatsuri.ca.
Get involved
If you are interested in getting involved, consider supporting Nikkei Matsuri as a sponsor or donor! You can have the chance to get your company or name showcased on the Lantern “Chochin” Wall display during the festival. Make a personal donation to Nikkei Matsuri and receive a charitable tax receipt. Or, bring your company on as an event sponsor and enjoy additional benefits. For more information about sponsorship or donations, contact Roger Lemire at rlemire@nikkeiplace.org.
You can also get involved with Nikkei Matsuri by joining the volunteer team!
Event Details
Nikkei Matsuri Family Festival
When: Sat. Aug 31 + Sun. Sept 1 | 11:00am — 7:00pm
Where: Nikkei Centre
Volunteer at Nikkei Matsuri on Aug 31 + Sept 1!
Nikkei Matsuri festival needs YOU! Make new friends, be part of a team, and support your community!
Nikkei Matsuri festival needs YOU!
What is Nikkei Matsuri?
Nikkei Matsuri is a 2-day authentic Japanese festival filled with family friendly entertainment, food, games and more. All proceeds support Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
Volunteering at Nikkei Matsuri
The Nikkei Matsuri festival counts on a team of volunteers to help make everything run smoothly, and enjoyable for all festival goers. Volunteering your time at Nikkei Matsuri means making new friends, being part of a team, and supporting your community! Be a part of a family-friendly event that celebrates the significance of Japanese immigrants’ contribution to the Nikkei community.
We invite you to get involved, and choose to help out in the area that interests you most:
Event Set-Up & Tear-Down
Food Services
Workshops
Games
Parking
Merchandise
Greeters & Information
Registration & Tickets
Stage Assistants
...and more!
Ready to sign up? Fill out the information requested through our volunteer application form and we’ll be in touch once the Volunteer Schedule is available! Deadline to register is Friday, August 16th, 2019.
For questions please contact volunteer.nikkeimatsuri@gmail.com