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
Free Admission on July 20: Come See the New Nikkei National Museum!
Come visit the new Nikkei National Museum, and the new Karasawa Museum exhibit space with an inaugural exhibit called “Nikkei 日系”.
The Nikkei National Museum Re-Opens on July 20, and Celebrates with Free Admission
Mark Your Calendars! Free for one day only, on July 20.
Come visit the new Nikkei National Museum, and the new Karasawa Museum exhibit space with an inaugural exhibit called “Nikkei 日系”. This ambitious exhibit will elucidate milestone events of our community’s history in a non-linear and intersectional way.
The Opening Reception will be on Saturday July 20, 2019, at 1:30 – 5:00pm. On this day, everyone is welcome as our guest. Regular admission is $5 or free with NNMCC membership. Please consider becoming a NNMCC member for future free access to the gallery, complimentary admission to all NNMCC events, and discounts in the museum shop.
Featuring a New Core Exhibit:
Nikkei 日系
Pronunciation: nee-kay
Literal translation: of Japanese ancestry
Definition: anyone with one or more ancestors from Japan, and/or anyone who self-identifies as Nikkei (XI COPANI Eleventh Pan-American Nikkei Conference 2001).
The term Nikkei originated in Japan during the Meiji imperial restoration, beginning in 1868, to identify Japanese immigrants and their descendants residing in foreign countries. Today, it is widely used within the Japanese diaspora worldwide but often requires explanation outside of Japan where the label is most relevant.
More than 25 individual and family stories, accompanied by rare and previously inaccessible personal belongings from the community, give evidence to lived experience of Nikkei in Canada. Discover unique stories of arrival, heroism in the face of racism, the resilience of community, and the experience of generations through the intersections of migration, racism, identity, and belonging.
The core exhibit promises, over time, to rotate through a repository of over 30,000 photographs, 35 metres of textual records, 500 oral history recordings, 100 film reels, and over 2500 artefacts and artworks, which continues to grow with the tireless efforts of our archive and collections team.
2019 Exhibit Programs*:
July 20 - Opening of Charles H. Kadota Resource Centre from noon
July 20 - Opening of new Karasawa exhibit space from 1:30pm
Aug 24 - Film screening from 2pm of The Vancouver Asahi – 2014 directed by Yuya Ishii, starring Satoshi Tsumabuki, Kazuya Kamenashi, Ryo Katsuji, Yuske Kamiji, Sosuke Ikematsu, Koichi Sato. Running time 133 minutes.
Aug 31/Sept 1 - Gallery tours during Nikkei Matsuri
Oct 8 – 11 - Alberta Sugar Beets Bus Tour
Oct 17 – Nov 2 - Hold These Truths, Cultch Historic Theatre
Directed by Lisa Rothe, starring Joel de la Fuente, exec produced by Tamlyn Tomita
www.holdthesetruths.infoDec 14 - Nikkei Christmas Boutique
*Programs are subject to change. Please check centre.nikkeiplace.org for details and updates.
2020 plans include an inter-generational dialogue, art making, preserving photos, and genealogy workshops.