MAIN STAGE PERFORMERS
10:00~11:00 Opening Ceremony
Joji Hirota and The London Taiko Drummers
廣田丈自＆ロンドン太鼓
A must watch – Joji Hirota and The London Taiko Drummers at Japan Matsuri!
Joji Hirota’s traditional beats have wowed audiences globally, including in LIVE EARTH at London’s Wembley Stadium with 100 drummers. Join us to hear Japanese traditional and
contemporary taiko drumming.
Japan Matsuri song IBUKI / Naomi Suzuki with Chelsea Kodomo no Hiroba & Young Stars
ジャパン祭りソング『息吹』：鈴木ナオミと子供達
The Japan Matsuri song “IBUKI” is a beloved song at Japanese festivals across the globe. Join us in the dance this year, with Naomi Suzuki, the kids from Chelsea Kodomo no Hiroba & Universal Young Stars!
Opening Ceremony
オープニングセレモニー
Japan Matsuri will be officially launched by the Chairman of Japan Matsuri Executive Committee and the Ambassador of Japan to the UK, who will lead a traditional Japanese
kagami biraki, or ceremonial opening of a sake barrel, accompanied by the Matsuri
distinguished guests.
Mikoshi Procession (Provided by Teikyo School United Kingdom）
神輿（帝京ロンドン学園提供)
Look out for the mikoshi, a portable shrine with a phoenix on top, which will be carried around the square. If you hear the shouts of ‘Wasshoi! Wasshoi!’ you know you are in the right place!
* Provided by Teikyo School United Kingdom
11:00~12:00
Soran-bushi Performance
ソーラン節（立教英国学院）
Experience the energy and spirit of Japan by students from Rikkyo School in England with their performance of Soran Bushi, a traditional festival dance! Accompanied by the rhythm of the taiko drums and captivating choreography, this show brings Japanese heritage to life and bridges between Japanese and British cultures.
Radio Taiso 1
ラジオ体操
Get moving with Radio Taiso, a classic Japanese exercise routine! Originally started in the 1920s, radio taiso is practised in schools, parks, companies, and festivals, it’s a fun and energising way to refresh both body and mind. Join us for an easy exercise led by the teachers and graduates from Chelsea Kodomo no Hiroba!
Nippon Club Women’s Choir The Green Chorus
日本クラブ女性合唱団グリーンコーラス
Tune into the musical magic of the Nippon Club Japanese Women’s Choir! The Green Chorus
has been spreading the joy of Japanese music across London at churches, festivals, and
concerts for four decades, and just like every Japan Matsuri, they will be rocking the stage with
their beautiful songs.
Shiranamikai Karate
英国空手白浪会
Watch students of all ages and grades demonstrate the three pillars of Shotokan karate: Kihon (fundamentals), Kata (forms), and Kumite (partner work)! Perhaps this performance will inspire your first step toward learning this fascinating and dynamic martial art. Karate with Shiranamikai Karate and the Japan Karate Association is the ideal activity for the whole family.
12:00~13:00
Mikoshi Procession
神輿（帝京ロンドン学園提供）
Look out for the mikoshi, a portable shrine with a phoenix on top, which will be carried around the square. If you hear the shouts of ‘Wasshoi! Wasshoi!’ you know you are in the right place!
Yosakoi London Temuzu Japanese Dance Team
よさこいロンドン天夢手
Catch Yosakoi London Temuzu! in action!
“Yosakoi” is a Japanese dance style that combines elements of traditional Japanese dance and music with a variety of modern-day influences. With this vibrant dance, the London based Japanese dance group is sure to light up the stage at Japan Matsuri, don’t miss out!
~13:00
Let’s Bon-Dance with MYAKU-MYAKU!
ミャクミャク盆踊り
MYAKU-MYAKU is coming! Expo 2025 Official character MYAKU-MYAKU! is visiting London especially for Japan Matsuri. MYAKU-MYAKU is practicing bon-dance and would love you to
join in, too!
Ready Singer One
レディー・シンガー・ワン
Ready Singer One, the UK’s only Anime and videogame choir, are proud to present songs from your favourite Japanese media! From Attack on Titan, to Totoro, and Pokemon, the UK’s nerdiest choir will delight you with their six-part choral arrangements of fan-favourite melodies. Ready Singer One are delighted to join the Japan Matsuri festival again, for an one-of-a-kind musical experience.
13:00~14:00
L J English Showa Kayoukyoku
L J イングリッシュ 昭和歌謡曲
Step back in time with L J English for a nostalgic journey through the golden age of Japanese popular music! With style, humour, and a distinctive English twist, L J performs classic Showa Kayoukyoku spanning the late 1940s to the 1980s. Each performance is a heartfelt tribute to the unforgettable soundscape of Showa Japan, a cross-cultural celebration of music and memory.
Awa Odori
阿波踊り（英国日本人会)
Step into the rhythm of one of Japan’s most iconic summer traditions – Awa Odori!「踊る阿呆に、見る阿呆、同じ阿呆なら、踊らな損、損」 As we say in Japanese; “The dancers are fools, the watchers are fools – if we’re all fools anyway, we might as well dance!” Don’t just watch, join the dance and become part of the festival spirit!
Let’s Bon-Dance with MYAKU-MYAKU!
ミャクミャク盆踊り
MYAKU-MYAKU is coming! Expo 2025 Official character MYAKU-MYAKU! is visiting London especially for Japan Matsuri. MYAKU-MYAKU is practicing bon-dance and would love you to
join in, too!
Cosplay Catwalk
コスプレ・キャットウォーク
Cosplay is a popular pastime where participants express their love for their favourite fictional characters through detailed costumes and performance. Step into the world of Japanese anime, manga and games with our colourful catwalk on the main stage. This year’s catwalk theme is “Summer Matsuri”, join us for a vibrant array of costumes inspired by some of Japan’s most beloved characters.
14:00~15:30
JERO11 Metal Shamisen Performance
JERO11 メタル三味線
JERO11 is a heavy metal shamisen player and guitarist inspired by traditional Japanese music,
anime, video game soundtracks and the yokai folklore and culture. He built his own electric box shamisen and developed a distinctive modern metal fusion style.
Radio Taiso
ラジオ体操
Get moving with Radio Taiso, a classic Japanese exercise routine! Originally started in the 1920s, radio taiso is practised in schools, parks, companies, and festivals, it’s a fun and energising way to refresh both body and mind. Join us for an easy exercise led by the teachers and graduates from Chelsea Kodomo no Hiroba!
Naomi Suzuki & Seika Itoh A Dazzling J-Pop Duet
鈴木ナオミJ-pop デュオ
Get ready for a musical journey through the golden sounds of Japan!
From the global sensation of City Pop, to the nostalgic charm of Showa-era classics (Pink Lady’s song), and high-energy anime hits, Naomi Suzuki and Seika Ito bring it all to life with their perfectly harmonised duet performance. Join to hear classic acts and anime anthems, featuring a powerful tribute to Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer).
Piano: Saaya Matsumoto
ASP in the U.K：Japanese idols U.K tour opening
Forget what you think you know about Japanese idol groups – ASP isn’t it! Born from Tokyo’s WACK and led by disruptor-in-chief Junnosuke Watanabe, ASP launched in May 2021 as the first act on WACK’s own label since BiSH broke the idol mould. Tune in to rediscover Japanese Idol Groups!
15:30~17:00
Performance of Japanese traditional calligraphy
書道パフォーマンス（立教英国学院）
Discover the depth and discipline of ‘Japanese Calligraphy‘ as students from Rikkyo School in England present ‘The Art of Japanese Calligraphy’ at Japan Matsuri 2025. They will introduce this timeless art form to the UK audience, sharing the beauty and expression behind it. Don’t miss this inspiring traditional show.
https://www.rikkyo.co.uk/
Wadaiko Performance - Tamashii School of Wadaiko-Do
和太鼓演奏－魂 School of Wadaiko-Dō
Tamashii Drummers, share the energy and spirit of Japanese Taiko with audiences around the world. Their performances fuse traditional and contemporary styles including the vibrant Fukui style with disciplined rhythm, expressive solos, and dynamic choreography!
The SOAS Min’yo Group
SOAS 民謡グループ
Once again, we are excited to welcome The SOAS Min’yo Group to Japan Matsuri! Formed by the late Dr David Hughes, this awesome UK-based group loves teaching and performing traditional Japanese music.
Join us for a musical journey of a mix of charming min’yo (folk songs) from Japan with
shamisen, shakuhachi, and lots of audience participation.
17:00~18:00
Radio Taiso
ラジオ体操
Get moving with Radio Taiso, a classic Japanese exercise routine! Originally started in the 1920s, radio taiso is practised in schools, parks, companies, and festivals, it’s a fun and energising way to refresh both body and mind. Join us for an easy exercise led by the teachers and graduates from Chelsea Kodomo no Hiroba!
Kimono de Go with Japanese dance association
Kimono de GO with 日本舞踊
This special collaboration created a stage performance that combines classical and
contemporary Japanese dance styles, allowing you to enjoy special dances and traditional
costumes! ©Makoto Kawakami
Kimono de Go
Yuriko Kotani Stand-up comedy
コタニユリコ スタンドアップコメディー
Yuriko Kotani is a UK-based Japanese comedian. She was named as ‘one to watch’ by Time Out and won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2015. She appeared on ‘Mandy’ (BBC2), ‘The Horne Section TV Show’ (C4), ‘Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central’, ‘Pointless Celebrities’ (BBC1), ‘Pls Like’ (BBC3), ‘Paul Hollywood Eats Japan’ (C4), ‘Sorry, I Didn’t Know’ (ITV) and ‘Comedy Central Live’.
On radio she has guested on ‘The Comedy Club’ (BBC Radio 4 Extra), ‘BBC World Service’s The Arts Hour International New Year Comedy Celebration’, ‘The Verb’ (BBC Radio 3), ‘Loose Ends’ (BBC Radio 4), ‘Tudur Owen: United Nations of Anglesey’ (BBC Radio 4), ‘Damned Andrew’ (BBC Radio 4) and ‘No-Platformed’ (BBC Radio 4).
Penguin invited her to be a part of the ‘Audio Comedy Festival Edinburgh Unlocked’.
Yuriko worked with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to make videos for Rugby World Cup 2019, detailing her top tips for rugby fans travelling to Japan.
Ryukyu Kobujutsu
琉球古武術
We will be joined by Shihan Julian Mead, a 8th Dan master in Ryukyu Kobujutsu, who had trained in Japan under Grandmaster Motokatsu Inoue. Watch as he demonstrates the art of Ryukyu (Okinawan) traditional weapons, showcasing Kihon (basics), Kata (form), and Kumite (fighting).
18:00~19:00
Sakura Project - Koto Music collaborating with Sakura Choir London
琴演奏（桜合唱団との共演）
Keiko Kitamura with her student and Masako Onishi will perform ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’ from Ghibli`s Howl’s Moving Castle. ‘Sakura Sakura’ and ‘Oboro-zukiyo ～ Inori’ (Hazy Moonlit Night ～ Prayer) joined by our special guest: Sakura Choir London.
Okinawan music and Eisa performance (Dr David Hughes Memorial)
ロンドン沖縄三線会
Get ready to celebrate cultural diversity and Okinawan heritage with the
London Okinawa Sanshinkai! Sanshin is a stringed instrument that is indispensable to Okinawan music, and Eisa is a traditional performing art of Okinawa and is a powerful expression of respect for ancestors.
An embodiment of the Okinawan spirit. Discover the spirit of Okinawa through the
unforgettable experience of tradition, rhythm, and artistry.
19:00~19:50
Radio Taiso
ラジオ体操
Get moving with Radio Taiso, a classic Japanese exercise routine! Originally started in the 1920s, radio taiso is practised in schools, parks, companies, and festivals, it’s a fun and energising way to refresh both body and mind. Join us for an easy exercise led by the teachers and graduates from Chelsea Kodomo no Hiroba!
Finale Matsuken Samba + Japan Matsuri song LJ English+ Naomi Suzuki+Kids
フィナーレ マツケンサンバ＋ジャパン祭りソング『IBUKI』
Get ready to turn up the heat at Japan Matsuri 2025!
UK Enka sensation LJ English returns with dancers to ignite the stage with the legendary hit “Matsuken Samba”. Join us for one last dance together and end Japan Matsuri on the highest note! But that’s not all – LJ English will also team up with festival regular Naomi Suzuki, the incredible Japanese Kids, and a lineup of special guests to perform the Matsuri anthem “IBUKI” live!
Joji Hirota and The London Taiko Drummers
廣田丈自＆ロンドン太鼓
A must watch – Joji Hirota and The London Taiko Drummers at Japan Matsuri!
Joji Hirota’s traditional beats have wowed audiences globally, including in LIVE EARTH at
London’s Wembley Stadium with 100 drummers. Join us to hear Japanese traditional and
contemporary taiko drumming.