GENERAL EVENTS

General Events

Nikkei Community Regular Events

  • Nikkei Matsuri

    Organizer Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (NNMCC)
    Schedule Annually late August to early September (Labour Day Weekend)
    Overview One of Western Canada’s largest authentic Japanese festivals held at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby. The event features traditional Mikoshi processions, Bon Odori dancing, Taiko drumming, martial arts, and J-POP performances. Visitors can enjoy a wide array of Japanese street food, festival games, and celebrate Japanese culture across generations. 2025 marks the special 25th anniversary of the Nikkei Centre.
    History Founded with a mission to honour, preserve, and share Japanese Canadian history and heritage. More than just a festival, all proceeds support the NNMCC’s cultural programs and museum initiatives, serving as a vital charitable event for the community.
    Reference URL https://nikkeimatsuri.ca/

  • Powell Street Festival

    Organizer Powell Street Festival Society (PSFS)
    Schedule Annually the first weekend of August (BC Day Weekend)
    Overview The largest and longest-running Japanese Canadian festival in the country, located in Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighborhood (Paueru-gai). The festival showcases a highly creative mix of traditional and contemporary Japanese Canadian arts, including music, dance, literature, and visual arts, deeply rooted in the local community of Oppenheimer Park.
    History Started in 1977 as part of the Japanese Canadian Centennial, the festival began as a way for the community to reclaim their history in the area following the wartime internment. It stands today as a symbol of the resilience and spirit of the Japanese Canadian community.
    Reference URL https://powellstreetfestival.com/

  • NIKKEI CONNECT

    Organizer Japanese Canadian Chamber of Commerce (JCCOC)
    Schedule Annually in Spring (around March)
    Overview A career and business networking event designed to connect Japanese-speaking talent with local and global companies. It provides a platform for Co-op students, Working Holiday makers, and professionals to exchange information, explore job opportunities, and build career networks within the Vancouver business community.
    History Established to support global human resource development and promote economic growth between Japan and Canada. It plays a crucial role in empowering the next generation of the Nikkei business community through professional career support.
    Reference URL https://jc-coc.org/nikkeiconnect/

  • BC Japanese Speech Contest

    Organizer BC Japanese Speech Contest Organizing Committee & Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver
    Schedule Annually in early March
    Overview ◦ A prestigious academic event for Japanese language learners in BC and Yukon to demonstrate their proficiency. Participants from high schools and universities compete in various categories, showcasing not only their linguistic skills but also their depth of thought and expression. University winners often advance to the National Japanese Speech Contest.
    History With over 35 years of history, the contest has been supported by local educational institutions like UBC and the business community. It has long served as a vital platform for nurturing young talent who act as bridges between Japanese and Canadian cultures.
    Reference URL https://bcspeechcontest.blogspot.com/

  • Sakura Days Japan Fair

    Organizer Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (VCBF)
    Schedule Annually in mid-April
    Overview Held at the beautiful VanDusen Botanical Garden, this fair celebrates the arrival of spring and Japanese culture. Guests can experience traditional arts such as tea ceremonies, flower arranging, and calligraphy, alongside modern performances, food vendors, and a vibrant marketplace.
    History Launched in 2009 as the flagship event of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. In a city where thousands of cherry trees bloom annually, it has grown into a major attraction that fosters friendship between communities and promotes a deep appreciation for Japanese culture.
    Reference URL https://japanfairvancouver.com/

Special Projects

  • We Heart Canada + Japan 90

    Project Overview “We Heart Canada + Japan 90” was a short film project launched in 2018 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan. Organized by the Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) in collaboration with the Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver and the Japan Foundation Toronto, this project matched talented filmmakers with Japanese-related community organizations to produce short films (approx. 4-5 minutes) that explore the deep connections between the two nations.
    Objectives & Results The project aimed to promote understanding of Canada-Japan relations, visualize “connections with Japan” within a multicultural society, and nurture young filmmakers. Following a “matching event” at SFU Harbour Centre in July 2018, four films were produced and premiered at the 22nd VAFF in November. The award-winning film, “SHOJI,” was subsequently screened across various cities in Canada through diplomatic missions in 2019.
    Collaboration with JBN As a participating organization, the Japanese Business Network (JBN) collaborated with the UBC Department of Theatre and Film to contribute to this cultural exchange project.
    Related Links YouTube : We Heart Canada + Japan 90
    Japan Foundation : Project Archive

  • Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF)

    About VAFF Established in 1995 and launched in 1997, VAFF is Canada’s oldest Asian film festival. Held annually in Vancouver around November, this non-profit, volunteer-run festival serves as a vital platform for showcasing stories from the Asian diaspora, exploring themes of diversity, identity, and cultural fusion.
    Reference URL https://vaff.org/