Matsuri

“Matsuri” is a Japanese pop-culture festival celebrating modern trends and traditions.

Our goal is to support and promote contemporary subcultures such as anime, manga, modern Japanese fashion, K-pop, esports, and cosplay — while also offering guests an immersive experience into traditional Japanese culture through engaging activities.

The festival has been held since 2015 with the support of the Japanese Language and Culture Center.

Activities include:

• Shodō (Japanese calligraphy)

• Kujibiki lottery

• Omikuji fortune drawing

• Tanabata wishing tradition

• Obakeyashiki (haunted house experience)

You’ll also find themed stalls offering Japanese food, manga, and a variety of anime- and Japan-related merchandise.

Festival Stage Schedule:

• 16:30 — Doors open

• 17:00 — Welcome speech by H.E. Mr. Hideki Ishizuka, Ambassador of Japan to Georgia

• 17:15 — Stage program by the Japanese Language and Culture Center:

  • Japanese songs

  • Modern Japanese dance

  • Lolita fashion show ft. NIXX performance

  • Japanese–Georgian dance Awa Odori

  • Kendo demonstration by the Georgian Kendo Association

  • Kabuki dance “Fujimusume”

• 18:30 — Performance by students of Japanese Studies, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University

• 18:50 — Performance by Japanese language students, Ilia State University

• 19:30 — K-pop dance contest

• 20:10 — Cosplay contest

• 21:20 — Screening of Japanese anime Children of the Sea (with support from the Japan Foundation)

• 23:00 — Festival closes

Admission is free for children under 5
Tickets are non-refundable