Plans revealed as Manchester chosen to host Japan Week 2025

A huge international cultural celebration featuring hundreds of Japanese performers is set to take over Manchester this September after the city was chosen to host Japan Week 2025.

The prestigious event showcases traditional Japanese culture in a different city each year, with next year’s festival marking the 50th anniversary of the annual event.

The festivities, organised by the International Friendship Foundation, will run from Thu 4 Sep – Tue 9 Sep and span arts, music, fashion and sports, bringing an eclectic programme of free events to various venues across Manchester in September 2025.

Through a diverse range of activities, workshops, exhibitions and interactive experiences, hosted at iconic venues across the city, the festival promises a glimpse into the beauty and uniqueness of Japanese arts, traditions and more.

The programme includes theatre and stage performances at HOME, traditional tea ceremonies at Manchester Museum, workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations at Aviva Studios and Manchester Central Library, plus a full day of activity with the Hallé showcasing the Hallé Youth Orchestra, Japan Archives, and Japanese instruments.

The week also includes the first UK performance of BLOOM – a brand-new production that fuses music, fashion and dance in a unique celebration of Greater Manchester’s contemporary creative scene.  It has been created by composer and DJ Afrodeutsche, dance company Company Chameleon, and queer-led fashion brand Belladonis.  The live performance will feature a string ensemble from the world-renowned Hallé orchestra, including virtuosa violinist Roberto Ruisi.

Centred on the theme of metamorphosis and change, BLOOM was created as a unique gift from Greater Manchester to Japan, marking a landmark year of cultural exchange between the two regions – with its debut performance taking place at EXPO Osaka back in June, ahead of performances in Manchester during Japan Week.

Away from central Manchester, local community venues in the north and south of the city will also be hosting Japan Week activity with plans currently being finalised for activity to take place at Gorton Hub, Wythenshawe Forum, and Abraham Moss Library and Leisure Centre.

Manchester’s longstanding relationship with Japan, which dates back to the 1800s and the industrial revolution, will also play a key part in shaping the programme.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “This is fantastic news for Manchester and the latest chapter in a partnership between our city-region and Japan that dates back centuries. We’re bound by ties of innovation, industry and culture that stretch across the globe, and that’s why Greater Manchester led a UK-first mission to Japan last year to strengthen those connections and open up new opportunities for our people and places. We’re excited to see what the 50th Japan Week will bring and look forward to welcoming all of the performers and artists to Manchester in 2025.”

Mr Hiroyuki Ishizaki of the International Friendship Federation, Japan said: “It is a great pleasure to bring artists and performers from across Japan to the wonderful city of Manchester for an extra special programme celebrating the 50th anniversary.”