Culture Day 2026 - Sunday, June 21st, 12:00 - 16:00
Thank you so much for an amazing Culture Day!
We have uploaded the Japan Quizzes, as well as their correct answers, for all to enjoy - click here to find them
We have uploaded the Japan Quizzes, as well as their correct answers, for all to enjoy - click here to find them
Program
All of the experiences, shops and attractions will be free and open for all at any time from 12:00 - 16:00
However, we have a scheduled program in our conference room, our workshop area, and in our front garden.
These scheduled experiences are open and free for all to join, and do not require preregistration,
but they will only be available to experience in the set times frames, as you can see below:
However, we have a scheduled program in our conference room, our workshop area, and in our front garden.
These scheduled experiences are open and free for all to join, and do not require preregistration,
but they will only be available to experience in the set times frames, as you can see below:
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Conference room program:
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Front garden program:
Workshop area program (on first floor):
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*Please also notice, that our tea ceremonies have set times, and require preregistration as well. Fore more info on this, check out the specific section further below about our tea ceremonies.
Event Map
Experiences, performances and workshops
Japanese Tea CeremonyExperience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony with ceremonial green matcha tea in our Japanese tea pavilion, "Bosei-tei".
The members of Byakudan no Kai will prepare an exquisite experience for you, where you'll first be guided through the garden outside the pavilion and enter the world of zen. After this, you enter the world of ceremonial tea making in the pavilion, and get to taste both green matcha tea as well as a small wagashi - which is the word used for a traditional Japanese sweet treat. UPDATE: All the Tea Ceremonies have already been fully booked. owever, we have made a waiting-list, in case any seats should become available. If you wish to be on the waiting-list, please write an e-mail to [email protected] with the following information: your name(s), number of participants. IF any seats become available, we will reply back with details about your payment. |
Kyudo performance
Good news for all archery fans! You will yet again have the opportunity of experiencing a display of Kyudo - the Traditional Japanese Archery.
The Danish Kyudo federation Kyudojo Seishinkan will perform this enchanting art form in our front garden at 12:30. Kyudo is one of Japan's many budo, which often is translated as 'martial arts', but actually has a deeper meaning. Within budo, the -do refers to 'the way of something'. So the practice of making and serving tea for instance, is called chado - 'the way of tea', while kyudo means 'the way of the arrow'. Kyudo, as all other budo, aims to cultivate the self through its practice. This requires a deep presence and focus on the execution of the discipline After their performance it will be possible to talk with the members and hear about their activities. The Kyudo federation's website |
Manga workshop
Come and try a manga workshop at our Japan Culture Day, led by the experienced manga teacher @thaissingarts!
She will hold a total of three workshops at our event. The first one of her workshops will be in the conference room and runs from 12:45 till 13:30. The next two manga workshops are going to be in our workshop area (on the first floor), and will be open 14:00 - 14:30 and 14:45 - 15:15. At these workshops both children and adults alike can try their hand at learning to draw the gorgeous manga style from scratch - and if that's a little too much to begin with you can also just fill in details on pre-drawn characters. You can join in at any time whilst the workshops are open as long as there are seats available, and no preregistration is required to participate. Check out @thaissingarts on Instagram to see examples of her splendid art, and get inspired to try out the art of drawing manga yourself. We can’t wait to see you at the workshops on June 21st here at the Tokai Center! |
Ikebana demonstration
Ikebana International Copenhagen Chapter will show how to arrange Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, as well as displaying several arrangements for you to enjoy.
Their Ikebana demonstration will take place at 13:30 in the conference room. Ikebana means “bringing flowers to life.” It is centered around ancient rules regarding proportions, symmetry, and symbolic meaning especially the triangle, heaven, humanity and earth and using natural, seasonal plant and branch materials. Freestyle ikebana breaks these rules, emphasizing modern self-expression, abstract forms, and different kinds of non-plant materials. Both traditional style and freestyle will be introduced. After the demonstration it will be possible to talk with the members and hear about their activities. Ikebana International Chapter Copenhagen's website |
Pokémon gaming area
Pokemons.dk will have a card game playing area right in front out their pop-up shop, here at our Japan Culture Day!
Anyone can join their card game playing area freely at any time during our Japan Culture Day and enjoy the fun games. Here, tables will be ready for both complete beginners and experienced players. There will also be free card decks to borrow, if you don't have your own yet, but still wish to learn how to play with them. Experts in the game will be there to play with you and assist you. We can't wait to see Pokémon fans of all ages gather here, and rejoice over their shared nostalgia and interest in the wonderful universe and the love for the franchise! For those who wish to purchase cards, Pokemons.dk will also have their pop-up shop open during the entire event. Pokemons.dk's website |
Kendo performance
Once again the amazing Kilikai Kendoklub will be demonstrating their beautiful martial art at our Japan Culture Day. Their show starts at 14:30 in our front garden - so make sure to be here by then to see it!
Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art based on Kenjutsu. Kenjutsu refers to the swordsmanship of the Samurai class, however Kendo uses Shinai (bamboo swords) instead. Kilikai Kendoklub welcomes everyone who desires to train Kendo, as their philosophy is centered around inclusivity. They will also be having a little information booth at the Culture Day, where you can see their gear, ask questions and get flyers to take home. So come and watch their performance and stop by their booth on June the 21st! Kilikai Kendoklub's website |
Shotokan Karate performance
Experience an incredible Karate performance done by members of Østerbro Shotokan Karate.
The performance will begin in the front garden at 13:30 - make sure to come and find a good spot to watch it! Shotokan Karate, as we know it today, is said to have originated in ancient China, where Zen Buddhist monks sought to improve their physical form by mimicking the movements of animals and nature. These martial art forms later on found their way to Japan, and especially in Okinawa a lot of different variations of Karate were practiced and cultivated. Gichin Funakoshi, born in Okinawa, was the father of Shotokan Karate which became widely spread across Japan. In 1936 he built his own karate dojo in Tokyo with a sign saying Shoto-kan, which is how the name of the style came to be. If you wish to see a glimpse of this amazing martial arts form, please come by on June 21st, and join us in the front garden. Østerbro Shotokan Karate's website |
Kamigatami dance performanceExperience a classical traditional Japanese dance called Kamigatami at our Japan Culture Day.
It will be performed by Teruka Ogawa from the Ogawaryu School in our Conference Room at 15:10, and outside afterwards if the weather is kind. Kamigatamai, is one of many types of classical traditional Japanese dances with a history spanning hundreds of years. Kamigata is the traditional cultural area of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. Mai means dance, especially referring to the calm and quiet dances taking place in indoor rooms called zashiki. Kamigatamai has developed alongside the choreography of Kamigata kabuki theatrical performances. Ogawaryu, is one of the Kamigatamai schools, and was founded in Osaka by Ogawa Riemon, a Kamigatakabuki choreographer, in the 1770s. The current grandmaster of Ogawaryu school is Yonsei Iemoto Ogawa Teru, the 4th Teru Ogawa. Teruka Ogawa is the direct disciple of the grandmaster. She teaches Ogawaryu school’s Kamigatamai in Copenhagen and will perform two songs for you at event. We kindly ask you to refrain from taking any pictures or videos of the performance as it is the schools policy. This also offers you an opportunity to enjoy the dance without any devices and fully present. Ogawaryu School in Copenhagen's website |
Kimono demonstration
Kimono Klub Danmark will enchant our Culture Day with the magic of traditional Japanese garments! At 14:15 they will begin to do a demonstration in our Conference Room, showcasing how to put on this beautiful attire.
You will also have the chance to try on summer kimonos, called yukata and jinbei, as Kimono Klub Danmark will have a pop-op shop on the first floor where you can try these on and even borrow one to wear for a little while during the event. On top of this, the club will be selling imported kimonos and other beautifully handmade accessories fit for the season crafted by their members. So please come by to see their demonstration at 14:20 and visit their pop-up shop on the first floor on Sunday! Klub Kimono Danmark's Facebook |
Japanese writing workshop
Come and try a Japanese Writing Workshop on June 21st!
Have you ever wanted to learn how to write your name in Japanese? Would you like to know more about the different Japanese alphabets, hiragana, katakana and kanji - and perhaps even try writing some of these characters yourself? Then you should definitely join one of our Japanese writing workshops during our Japan Culture Day! Our experts will be able to help you get started, and guide you along the way, so you can have fun whilst learning to write some Japanese! There will be two Japanese writing workshops open and running for anyone to join freely at our Japan Culture Day, as long as seats are available - no preregistration required. The first workshop will run in the conference room from 12:00 till 12:45, and the second workshop will be open 13:15 - 14:00 in our workshop area on the first floor. We look forward to seeing all of those eager to write in Japanese - beginners and more advanced learners alike. |
Japan Quizzes for all guests
Participate in our fun Quizzes about Japan at our Culture Day. There are going to be two quizzes this time around: one for Children and one for Adults!
We will be handing out the Quizzes on paper at the Quiz Booth on the Japan Culture Day. During the event, you can think of your answers, and circle out what you think is correct. Please make sure to return your answers by the Quiz Booth, before the event closes.
After the Culture Day we’ll have a look at all of your answers, and see which of you had the most correct ones. Between those we will randomly select four winners - two for the Children's Quiz and two for the Adult Quiz. We will contact the winners, so we can make sure that you receive your prize!
The two prizes for the Adults' Quiz winners are gift cards sponsored by Mapio and Waku Waku, and the two prizes for the Children's Quiz winners are surprise items sponsored by Pokemons.dk. See you at the Quiz Booth one June 21st!
We will be handing out the Quizzes on paper at the Quiz Booth on the Japan Culture Day. During the event, you can think of your answers, and circle out what you think is correct. Please make sure to return your answers by the Quiz Booth, before the event closes.
After the Culture Day we’ll have a look at all of your answers, and see which of you had the most correct ones. Between those we will randomly select four winners - two for the Children's Quiz and two for the Adult Quiz. We will contact the winners, so we can make sure that you receive your prize!
The two prizes for the Adults' Quiz winners are gift cards sponsored by Mapio and Waku Waku, and the two prizes for the Children's Quiz winners are surprise items sponsored by Pokemons.dk. See you at the Quiz Booth one June 21st!
Pop Up Shops and Info Booths
IO - Japanese teaWonderful news! Drink freshly made cold iced matcha at our Culture Day this year! IO will once again have a pop-up store where they'll be selling delicious cold and refreshing iced matcha latte and other cold beverages as well. The iced matcha latte will of course be based on organic and high quality matcha powder which IO gets directly from local farmers in Japan.
It will also be possible for you to purchase their dry tea products, so that you can make their tea and enjoy it at home yourselves. At their pop-op shop you will be able to choose between a variety of their teas, including Macha, Sencha, Hôjicha, and Genmaicha. For these dry tea products, the same high quality applies. IO specializes in organic and naturally farmed Japanese tea sourced directly from the farmers. This means that they can secure tea cultivated without the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers. IO also focuses on small-scale tea productions and they make sure that the tea producers are being paid a fair price for their work. So make sure to stop by IO’s pop-up shop one June 21st at our Japan Culture Day! IO's website |
Restaurant BanzaiRestaurant Banzai will once again serve festive freshly made onigiri, kakigori. They will also sell interesting Japanese beverages for both Children and Adults at our Japan Culture Day on June 21st!
Here’s a little info about onigiri and kakigori: Onigiri is a traditional Japanese snack made out of cooked short grained rice, which is hand-pressed into a shape that is easy to handle and eat with your hands - usually in the form of a rounded triangle. Traditionally it is also wrapped in nori (seaweed), and contains sour or salty fillings such as umeboshi (pickled plum), salted salmon, katsuobushi (smoked/ fermented skipjack tuna) or fish roe. Kakigori is a Japanese shaved ice dessert flavored with syrup, and is perfectly cooling for summer! It is traditionally made using a hand cranked machine to spin a block of ice over a shaving blade. The ice itself is frozen water, so the syrup on top gives it its flavor. Popular flavors include strawberry, cherry, lemon, green tea, grape, melon, "blue hawaii", sweet plum, and colorless syrup. You’ll be able to purchase both of these wonderful summer snacks at Banzai’s, so come by to try these! Restaurant Banzai’s website |
Pokemons.dk
Pokemons.dk will have a pop-up shop right by their card game playing area at our Japan Culture Day!
At their shop, everything from individual cards for collectors and players to affordable packs for children and adults alike, will be available. So if you have a budding interest in the trading card game they have everything you need. They will also be ready to answer any questions you might have, about the different games and card trading. Pokemons.dk will also be sponsoring our Japan Quiz for Children with amazing prizes for the winners - remember to try those out as well. And don't forget to come to Pokemons.dk pop-up shop and gaming area to catch them all on June 21st! Pokemons.dk's website |
Mapio
Fantastic news! Mapio will have a pop-up shop at our Japan Culture Day again this year!
Mapio is an online store, which specializes in selling carefully selected high quality handcrafted items directly imported from Japan. Amongst these items are various types of ceramics, such as bowls, cups and platters, as well as chopsticks and other kitchen utensils. It also has a selection of Imabari towels made of Japanese cotton and woven with a very specific technique, giving them a very soft and absorbing texture. If you wish to see these handcrafted high quality Japanese goods in person, then stop by Mapios shop on June 21st. Mapio will also be gifting a 500 DKK giftcard to one of our winners of the Japan Quiz for Adults, which you will be able to participate in at the Japan Culture Day! Mapio's website |
Mochi Time CPHMochi Time is coming to our Japan Culture Day to sell their delicious freshly made Japanese treats for all of you to purchase and enjoy!
Moch Time brings the taste of Japan to Denmark through handmade Japanese sweet specialties. At our Culture Day, they will be making two of their mouth watering specialties for all of you guests - Ichigo Mochi and Imagawayaki! A little more about these treats: Their traditional Ichigo Mochi will be prepared with homemade Azuki bean paste wrapped inside their chewy and fluffy Mochi, which is dough made from glutinous Japanese rice flour, and topped with fresh strawberries. Imagawayaki is a Japanese pancake with tasty fillings, where one of them is Matcha Mustard Cream, which Mochi Time will be serving for you at our event. All treats will be prepared in small batches with great love and attention to the details of the Japanese tradition, so make sure to stop by Mochi Time on June 21st to get a taste! Moch Time CPH's website |
Bonsai NestBonsai Nest will come to our Japan Culture Day to show you beautiful Bonsai trees and enhance your knowledge about this ancient artform of growing dwarf trees.
Bonsai Nest was created out of a personal passion and love for Bonsai and Japan. Its goal is to show beginners that owning a Bonsai is not more difficult than owning any other plant. Additionally, it also caters to more seasoned enthusiasts' needs, having trees that need more attention and experience. Bonsai Nests products consist mostly of indoor Bonsai, and additional tools, Bonsai growing kits from seed, grow lights, specialized soil and more. Detailed care guides are provided to every new buyer, and everyone can always reach out with questions they may have regarding the trees. This summer Bonsai Nest will also open its first Beginners Workshops, teaching people the basics about Bonsai, watering , styling, philosophy and more. We hope to see you at Bonsai Nests pop-up shop on Sunday! Bonsai Nest's website |
Kimono Klub Danmark
Kimono Klub Danmark will enchant our Culture Day with the magic of traditional Japanese summer!
How so? At Japanese summer festivals, the custom is that people wear yukata and jinbei. A yukata is a summer variation of the Japanese kimono, and a jinbei is the male counterpart of such attire. On the Culture Day, Kimono Klub Danmark will have a pop-up shop on the 1st floor, where you will get the chance to try on yukatas and jinbei and even borrow one to wear for a little while during the event. On top of this, the club will be selling imported kimonos and other beautifully handmade accessories fit for the season crafted by their members. Remember to also stop by their Kimono Demonstration in the Conference Room starting at 14:20! Klub Kimono Danmark's Facebook |
Rie Rolighed TakeuchiRie Rolighed Takeuchi will have a pop-up shop at our Japan Culture Day on Sunday! Here you will find handmade jewelry and decorations created with paper and textiles from Japan.
Rie is an artist who works with a great variety of different materials and artforms, such as origami, calligraphy, painting, papier-mâché, embroidery and textile art. Through all of her artistic expressions she derives lots of inspiration from her Japanese roots, which shines through in all of her projects. For her, the inspiration, concept and the process of making art go hand in hand. She uses herself and her surroundings in this process, exploring how she can combine different art techniques and materials. From time to time, Rie also hosts workshops teaching calligraphy, origami and painting. If you wish to learn more about her work please visit her website linked below. Rie Rolighed Takeuchi's website |
Dansk-Japansk Selskab
Dansk - Japansk Selskab (The Danish - Japanese Association) will be coming to our Culture Day!
The association has been around since 1958, aiming to maintain and strengthen the cultural relation between Denmark and Japan, as well as introducing Japanese Culture to Denmark. Every year they arrange a great variety of Japan related events, which all members can freely participate in, to immerse themselves in the deeper learning of Japanese Culture. They also run a blog about Japan on their website, which you can follow for new insights and updates about Japan and its cultural landscape. The Association will have a booth at our Japan Culture Day, where they will be providing more information about who they are, answer any curious questions, and present what enticing upcoming events are on their calendar. If you wish to become a member yourself, they will gladly help you sign up at their booth. The Danish - Japanese Association's website |
Mottainai StudioMottainai Studio will display Japanese textile art at our Japan Culture Day!
Julie Vej creates textile art rooted in sustainability and deep respect for materials. Using discarded fabrics from local designers and tailor shops, her work is guided by the Japanese concept of Mottainai—a reverence for resources and the beauty of not wasting what still holds value. In her Copenhagen studio, Nordic minimalism meets the spirit of traditional Japan, where every piece is crafted by hand as an homage to nature, imperfection, and strength of authenticity. If you wish to see these pieces of art, and get the chance to purchase some of it, please come by the Mottainai display and pop-op up shop one Sunday June 21st! Mottainai Studio's website |
Japanspecialisten
Japanspecialist will come to our Culture Day on Sunday to tell you more about travelling in Japan!
Japanspecialist is a Danish travel agency focused entirely on Japan, and has in over a hundred years now guided curious travelers on their dream journey to the land of the rising sun. They offer anything from fully planned travel packages to tailormade assistance for those with special requirements and preferences, so that you can have your best experience journeying in this wonderful country.
For anyone interested, they will be ready to answer all of your questions about how to plan the perfect Japan trip! So please come by their booth on our Culture Day on Sunday to hear more.
Japanspecialist's website
Japanspecialist is a Danish travel agency focused entirely on Japan, and has in over a hundred years now guided curious travelers on their dream journey to the land of the rising sun. They offer anything from fully planned travel packages to tailormade assistance for those with special requirements and preferences, so that you can have your best experience journeying in this wonderful country.
For anyone interested, they will be ready to answer all of your questions about how to plan the perfect Japan trip! So please come by their booth on our Culture Day on Sunday to hear more.
Japanspecialist's website
Additional sponsors
Waku Waku
Waku Waku will once again be sponsoring our Japan Culture Day! They are kindly offering discount coupons which you’ll be able to collect at our event on June 21st - and they’re giving away a gift card to one of our two winners or the Japan Quiz for Adults! You can read more about our Japan Quizzes in one of the sections above.
At Waku Waku’s website you can use both the coupons and the gift card. Here you will find their wonderful selection of Japanese goods, which includes: beverages, delicious and fun snacks to eat for both adults and children, various kitchen utensils, dry goods such as ceremonial matcha, rice, furikake, curry, noodles and soups. With these products you’ll be able to make your own authentic Japanese meals at home for you and your loved ones to enjoy. In other words - sell all the stuff needed to be transported to Japan through your smell and taste senses!
At Waku Waku’s website you can use both the coupons and the gift card. Here you will find their wonderful selection of Japanese goods, which includes: beverages, delicious and fun snacks to eat for both adults and children, various kitchen utensils, dry goods such as ceremonial matcha, rice, furikake, curry, noodles and soups. With these products you’ll be able to make your own authentic Japanese meals at home for you and your loved ones to enjoy. In other words - sell all the stuff needed to be transported to Japan through your smell and taste senses!