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ZENYASAI 2026: Friday, September 4, 3 PM to 10 PM

MATSURI 2026: Saturday & Sunday, September 5-6,
11 AM to 7 PM

General Admission (18-64): $15
Online/Advance: $12+GST (includes Eventbrite fee)

Nikkei Centre Members, Youth (under 18), Seniors (65+),
and Tourism Privilege Pass (valid pass must be presented): FREE

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE Nikkei Next 50/50 RAFFLE WINNER!

Winning ticket #2283

Tastes of Japan

日本の味

Satisfy your cravings and explore over 20 food vendors serving authentic festival treats. Enjoy everything from savory Okonomiyaki and Katsu Sandwiches to Okinawan noodles. Finish with a Dorayaki Ice-Cream Sandwich or Kakigori (shaved ice).

Live Performances

パフォーマンス

Experience a vibrant showcase of Japanese culture and arts! Highlights include traditional Japanese dance, taiko drumming, ninja stage combat and martial arts. Saturday ends with electric J-pop group Non Sweet.

Special Guest from Japan 日本より特別ゲスト

Shuichiro & Daichi

脩一郎&大地

Shuichiro Kuboki is an acclaimed Tsugaru shamisen master, composer, and leader of the neo-traditional group “Shuichiro & Daichi.” With over 30 years of experience, he has toured globally under The Japan Foundation and famously performed for world leaders at the 2008 G8 Toyako Summit. Kuboki served as the Music Director for the film Overdrive (2004) and coached the legendary Japanese band Kaientai for the Mr. Kinpachi stage productions. He is also the author of definitive shamisen textbooks published by Yamaha Music Media.

Performance Schedule

*The following schedule is tentative. Times are subject to change.

Main Stage supported by Global TV

Garden Stage supported by DLA Piper

Event Map

Food & Beverage

Food Truck Plaza

Supported by Yokohama Tire

Outdoor Food Zone

Supported by Axis Planning and CHOYA

Nikkei Café

Supported by McMillan

Beer & Sake Garden​

Sake Tasting Booth by Sake Association of British Columbia

Beer by Sapporo Premium Beer

Tea Room

Enjoy a cup of COLD BREW TEA by Janice Chan, co-founder of Teakan (茶間). Quench your thirst with your choice of Iced Hojicha with Honey Yuzu, Iced Jasmine Tea and Honey Yuzu Soda.

TATAMI ROOM & TERRACE

Relax at our terrace or take a photo in our traditional Japanese tatami room. Take a look at our display of our exciting, upcoming renovation of this room.

Activities

Yukata Rental

浴衣レンタル

We encourage guests to wear their Yukata (summer kimono) to add to the festive atmosphere. If you don’t have one, we will have beautiful rentals available on-site so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience.

Community Dancing

盆踊り

At the heart of the festival is the Obon Dance. We invite all guests to join our circle as we dance together around the garden stage—no experience necessary!

“Koto No Ne Kai(Koto Ensemble)” is a group of local Koto students led by Yuriko Nariya of Miyagi-kai. We play in the traditional manner and have played at many local events, senior homes, schools, etc., as volunteers. We have played at Nikkei Matsuri for many years.

Mikoshi Rakuichi

Volunteer to carry the Mikoshi (portable shrine) during the Opening Ceremony

Pokémon League Room

ポケモンリーグ

Gather with fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game to trade and play games. New players are welcome and may borrow one of many learn-to-play decks to join in the fun.

Exhibit

View the “Return to Paueru Gai: 50 Years of Powell Street Festival” exhibit inside the Karasawa Gallery before it’s gone.

Game Zone

縁日ゲーム

Enjoy Japanese festival games and win prizes! Games include balloon yo-yo, bowling, bean bag toss, superball, wanage and balloon darts. $3 per ticket or $25 for 10 tickets.

Shopping

Marketplace

マーケット

Shop for unique artisan crafts, browse our Japanese bookstore, and curated Museum Shop.

日本の食器、インテリア、アート作品、着物、和服小物など販売します。

Anime Market

アニメマーケット

Explore a curated market celebrating Japanese pop culture! Browse original anime art, kawaii stationery, stickers, and imports straight from Japan.

Otakara Market

お宝マーケット

Hunt for treasure! You’ll find gently used Japanese dishware, home decor, artwork, kimono and more at bargain prices. Proceeds go to Nikkei Centre.

Museum Shop

ミュージアムショップ

Discover original museum merchandise, Japanese imports, local artisan crafts, and a large selection of Nikkei books.

Japanese Bookstore

日系ブックストア 古本屋

Japanese used bookstore with manga, literature, non-fiction and more.

Fun Park

A new FREE admission area at Burnaby South Memorial Park next to the tennis courts.

Kids Arts & Crafts

子供向けアート&クラフト

Decorate an uchiwa fan, make a pinwheel, and transform with beautiful face painting. Try out some origami with teacher Origami Yuki including a Hatsune Miku paper doll in a yukata.

Kids Games

ミニ運動会

2:00 PM Tug-of-war, Team bean bag toss, Big ball rolling race.

4:00 PM Tug-of-war, Hula hoop passing game, Water balloon toss.

Activities run on both Saturday and Sunday. Register at the Nikkei Centre booth.

Line Dancing

ラインダンス

Get active with members of the Nikkei Line Dance Club on Saturday 12:30 PM. Beginners and all ages welcome!

Community Booths

コミュニティ・ブース

Explore vibrant community booths packed with excitement for all ages! Enjoy classic festival games like Shateki, anime trivia, and prize raffles. Get creative with hands-on block printing, traditional papercrafts, and a collaborative banner, all while celebrating local Japanese heritage, upcoming theatre productions, and helpful local shop and event guides.

Nikkei Centre Booth

日系センター・ブース

Join our Stamp Rally! You can also sign up here for the Kids Games – it is completely free to enter, and prizes will be awarded to winners!

Fun Park

Supported by Samurice

Buy Matsuri 50/50 tickets online starting August 11!

Matsuri 50/50くじ|8月11日からオンラインで販売開始!

Win half the jackpot while supporting the construction of the Chashitsu Japanese Tea Room, an authentic space for experiencing the art of Japanese tea culture, and a part of the Nikkei Next Building Improvement Campaign.

 

Tickets can be purchased online starting August 11 to September 6, 2026. The more you take part and spread the word, the bigger the jackpot grows and your chances of winning big!

 

今年の日系祭りにて、50/50チャリティーくじを開催します!売上(ジャックポット)の半額は当選者へ賞金として、残りの半額は、日系文化センター・博物館の「茶室」建設プロジェクトに寄付されます。このプロジェクトは、日系ネクスト施設改修キャンペーンの一環として、日系センターの畳の間を、本格的な茶室へとリノベーションする取り組みです。

 

チケットは2026年8月11日から9月6日まで、オンラインでご購入いただけます。参加者が増えるほどジャックポットも大きくなり、高額賞金を獲得できるチャンスも広がります!ぜひご参加いただき、ご家族やご友人にもお知らせください。皆さまの温かいご支援をよろしくお願いいたします。

Thank You to All Our 2026 Sponsors & Donors!
日系祭りへのご支援に感謝いたします。

All proceeds support Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact [email protected]

AMBASSADOR SPONSOR

CHAMPION PLUS

CHAMPION

FRIEND

GIFT-IN-KIND + PARTNERS

MEDIA

DONORS

Diamond

Leigh Ann Shoji

Gold Plus

Fred & Linda Yada

Gold

Louise Akuzawa & Ron Kruschen

Kazuo Bessho

Akiko Gomyo

Elaine Homma

Kumi Shanahan

Sam Yamamoto

Friend

Dean L. Dalke
Alan & Wakako Morris
Yoko Murakami
Carrie Okano
Dennis Shikaze

Community

Nishikawa-ryu Canada Satsuki-kai

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