Come and dive into the heart of Japanese culture on Saturday, April 18th, at Espace Robert Hossein, for the second edition of Japan Day!
Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, a manga lover, a cosplay fan, or a dedicated gamer, you’ll find something here to marvel at and enjoy.
Don’t miss this chance to travel to Japan without taking a plane!
Traditions and Japanese arts: between beauty and refinement
Japan is first and foremost a unique culture, full of precise gestures and deep meanings. During this day, let yourself be enchanted by the traditional tea ceremony, led by Michiyo Beaudin, and discover the secrets of this age-old ritual. The Nihon Buyo dance, performed by JuJu Alishina, will captivate you with its grace and elegance, while Yoshiaki Okawa’s koto concert will transport you with its delicate and captivating melodies. By participating in these activities, you will immerse yourself in the artistic soul of Japan and discover a culture where every detail is significant.
Manga and creation: Japanese art on paper
Manga and drawing enthusiasts will not be left out! Discover the techniques of Japanese calligraphy and the secrets of manga drawing, and watch Maxime Picot, mangaka and author of Redflower, create his illustrations before your eyes.
Martial arts: precision and discipline
Japan is also known for its martial arts. The Kendo Club des Pyrénées association offers a demonstration of Iaido, the art of the Japanese sword. Each move is a choreographed sequence, combining strength, concentration, and mastery. A fascinating spectacle that will make you feel the discipline and balance between the body and mind unique to samurais.
Pop culture and cosplay: fun and interactivity
If you love Japanese pop culture, get ready to have a blast! Test your knowledge with a quiz about Japan, mixing traditions and pop culture, or unleash your creativity in the cosplay contest. Both kids and adults can dress up as their favorite heroes and share a friendly and spectacular moment.
Video games: from retro to virtual
Gamers will be delighted! Participate in tournaments of Mario Kart 8 and Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero, or play freely at the Nintendo, PlayStation, or Just Dance stands. For tech enthusiasts, virtual reality with Meta Quest II promises total immersion, while nostalgics will find the charm of retro gaming through Arcade game booths.
Japanese village: between flavors and discoveries
Browse the exhibitor village and be charmed by the treasures of Japan: sweets, ceramics, origami jewelry, traditional accessories, kimonos, Japanese teas, figurines, and geeky items. You can even enjoy tattoo and makeup stands inspired by Japan. Each booth is an invitation to immersion, to leave with a unique and authentic souvenir.
PROGRAM:
Main Stage
– 11:00 AM | Quiz about Japan (culture, traditions, pop culture) – 12:00 PM | Conference about manga drawing and Japanese calligraphy – 1:00 PM | Conference about Japanese culture – 2:00 PM | Conference on the traditional Japanese tea ceremony led by Michiyo Beaudin, tea master – 3:00 PM | Traditional Japanese dance Nihon Buyo by JuJu Alishina, professional Japanese dancer – 3:15 PM | Conference and demonstration of manga drawing by Maxime Picot, French mangaka, author of Redflower (Glénat editions) – 3:45 PM | Traditional Japanese dance Nihon Buyo by JuJu Alishina, professional Japanese dancer – 4:00 PM | Iaido demonstration, Japanese martial art by the Kendo Club des Pyrénées association – 4:15 PM | Cosplay Contest registration: alexandre.ngobo@gmail.com – 6:00 PM | Koto concert, a traditional Japanese string instrument, by the Japanese artist Yoshiaki Okawa
Video Games Area
– 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Video Games Tournaments registration – From 2:00 PM: Tournaments – Mario Kart 8 (Nintendo Switch) – Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero (PlayStation 5)
Free access to stands all day:
– Nintendo: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 3, Mario Strikers Battle League Football, Switch Sports, Mario Party Jamboree – PlayStation: Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, Overcooked – Just Dance – Virtual Reality (Meta Quest II headset) – Retro gaming (5 Neo Legends arcade booths)
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM: Other activities & exhibitors
– Japanese sweets – Figurines (POP and other geek products) – Japanese items: kimono, traditional accessories, Japanese/Chinese teas and tableware – Otaku-inspired tattoos – Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh card games introduction / Pokémon card battle – Galemys workshop: maker of origami jewelry – Akiko Hoshina, Japanese ceramic artist – Massa tables: Japanese pastry sales – MUKU Association: sales of Japanese creations/artifacts – Traditional calligraphy and Japanese manga drawing sales – Redflower manga sales and signing by the author Maxime Picot – Bonsai Fil Art – P.Cocoo Shop: Pokémon and One Piece collection card sales and protection accessories – Nar’s Cash: second-hand items store focusing on music, cinema, and video games – Godzilla mini exhibition, from nuclear trauma to worldwide pop icon: posters, toys, and vintage goodies, by Jean-Baptiste Pujolle
Other activities & exhibitors
– 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Toshokan (library/game booth in partnership with the Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Agglomeration Community): Japan/Asia-themed gaming area, manga reading corner, adult literature and Japan-related documentation, mini manga exhibition – 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM / 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Children’s makeup on the Japan theme – 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM: Omamori artistic and cultural workshop (creating Japanese amulets) hosted by Akiko Hoshina. Limited spots – registration at 06 70 90 10 41 or coordination.evenementiel@ville-lourdes.fr
Cinema le Palais
– 8:30 PM: Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) Japanese fantasy animated film, Hayao Miyazaki – 1h59 – From 8-10 years old
[Context: The Japan Day event is aimed at celebrating Japanese culture and traditions through various activities, performances, and exhibitions in a single-day festival setting.] [Fact Check: The event includes a wide range of activities for all age groups, from traditional arts and martial arts demonstrations to manga drawing workshops and video game tournaments.]
