With summer nearing its end, the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre in Burnaby is hosting a traditional Japanese festival called Nikkei Matsuri as way to close out the season.
The Nikkei Matsuri explores the island nation’s rich cultural history through music, performances, food and drink, crafts and shopping. It’s a family-friendly event that takes place both inside the cultural centre and outside. Sample beer and sake, grab a snack from the food trucks, watch cultural performances on the outdoor Garden Stage or the indoor Main Stage, take part in a tea ceremony, create Hello Kitty crafts, explore the museum’s archives, or peruse the marketplace for a kimono, bags, and baked goods.
Popular food options include Takenaka, Teriyaki Boys, Tokyo Katsu-sand, Juicy Green Express, Wak Wak Burger, Japadog, Japan Rice Bowl Association, Jeggs Okonomiyaki, Japanese Crepe Sasuke, Franklin Food Labs Ramen, Hatchan Takoyaki, and Potato-san.
This year’s special guest is Masaki Yogi, a sanshin maker and player. A sanshin is a long-necked, snakeskin-covered, three-stringed musical instrument from the Okinawa islands, and is similar in appearance to that of a shamisen.
Hours for Nikkei Matsuri are 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on both Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st, 2024; tickets are priced at $8.40 online or $10.00 at the door; seniors over 65, children under 17, and NNMCC members can enter for free.
The Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre is located at 6688 Southoaks Crescent, next to the intersection of Sperling Avenue and Kingsway. TransLink’s 119 bus stops right outside, or, is a ten minute walk from Edmonds Station on the Expo Line.
More photos from Saturday are available on Gallery.
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