JAPAN WEEK 2026
Welcome to the Japan week
Palermo embraces the Land of the Rising Sun: Welcome to Japan Week 2026
From 20 to 26 November 2026 | A journey spanning a thousand years between Sicily and Japan
Welcome to the official platform for Japan Week 2026, the international event that this year will transform Palermo into the beating heart of Japanese culture in the Mediterranean. But what, exactly, is Japan Week?
This is not merely a trade fair or a festival for enthusiasts, but rather a monumental project of cultural diplomacy and international friendship. Established over half a century ago and organised by the prestigious IFF (International Friendship Foundation) in Tokyo, Japan Week is a global touring event which, each year, selects a single city worldwide to celebrate the deep bond between Japan and the host nation. Now in its 51st edition, this event has chosen Palermo as the custodian of a millennia-old dialogue, celebrating the meeting of two cultures that may seem distant but are united by a deep respect for history, hospitality and art.
For a whole week, the Sicilian capital will not merely be a backdrop, but a vast stage. Over 1,000 delegates, academic masters, artists and custodians of ancestral traditions will be arriving directly from Japan. Their aim? To share the essence of the Land of the Rising Sun in a completely authentic way, free from commercial filters, creating a harmonious and captivating contrast between Palermo’s Arab-Norman heritage and Japanese spiritual minimalism.
The Festival’s Three Epicentres: The Venues
Japan Week 2026 will take place across the city’s iconic venues, offering a programme of events and cultural activities designed to set Palermo pulsating to a new rhythm:
• Politeama Garibaldi Theatre: This will serve as the monumental ‘Headquarters’. This neoclassical gem will host the city’s highest-ranking institutional figures, the lavish opening and closing galas, and major avant-garde dance and theatre performances.
• Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa: A space for sharing and action. An urban regeneration hub that will become a living Japanese village, dedicated to interactive workshops, craft exhibitions, gastronomy and live demonstrations.
• Real Teatro Santa Cecilia: The temple of music. Its impeccable acoustics will provide the perfect setting for the mystical vibrations of ancient instruments, hosting intimate and rare concerts.
What will you experience during Japan Week?
Experiencing Japan Week means immersing yourself in a total sensory and cultural experience, where the ancient East engages with the heart of Palermo. During the seven days of the festival, you can witness the primal power of the Taiko drums and the mystical melodies of the Koto and the Shakuhachi flute in historic theatres. You’ll have the opportunity to slow down from the daily hustle and bustle by taking part in the meditative Tea Ceremony (Chanoyu), the art of calligraphy (Shodo) and flower arranging (Ikebana). There will also be a focus on the discipline of steel, with martial arts masters embodying the way of Bushido through demonstrations of Kendo, Aikido and Sumō, alongside master craftsmen who will reveal the secrets of bonsai care, origami folding and the ritual sharpening of the katana. A journey that will also delight the palate with exclusive masterclasses dedicated to the culture of sake and Japanese gastronomy.
An Event Open to Everyone
Japan Week 2026 is a gift from the IFF and Palermo City Council to residents and tourists alike: the vast majority of shows, exhibitions and performances are completely free to attend.
However, to ensure the authenticity and safety of the experience, practical workshops, limited-capacity sessions and theatre seats will require advance booking.
Whether you’re a curious local, a fan of Eastern culture, a family or a tourist visiting Palermo for the occasion, we invite you to explore the website, check the day-by-day calendar and get ready to experience a week that will go down in the city’s history.
Must-see events
About Japan Week
Japan Week is the most important international travelling event dedicated to promoting Japanese culture, art and traditions. It is not simply a trade fair or a local event for enthusiasts, but a major institutional event which, each year, selects a single major city from around the world to transform it, for one week, into an authentic and vibrant showcase of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Organised by the International Friendship Foundation (IFF) in Tokyo — an organisation founded in 1964 to promote international cooperation and friendship — Japan Week has already visited cities such as Manchester, Athens, Seville, Boston and others.
A cultural bridge between tradition and modernity
During the seven days of the event, an official delegation comprising over a thousand artists, master craftspeople, musicians and athletes, selected directly in Japan, will arrive in the city to offer the public a complete and free immersion in Japanese culture.
The most iconic theatres, squares and cultural centres come to life with a rich programme of events designed to stimulate all the senses:
• Performing Arts and Music: Koto concerts (the traditional 13-string harp), theatre performances and high-class kimono fashion shows.
• Ancient Rituals: The age-old elegance of the Tea Ceremony (Chanoyu) and live demonstrations of Ikebana (the art of flower arranging) and Origami.
• Martial Arts: Spectacular displays by martial arts masters and demonstrations of samurai techniques.
• Workshops and Exhibitions: Workshops open to the public offering a hands-on experience of artistic craftsmanship, visual art exhibitions and stands dedicated to contemporary culture.
Why is this an event not to be missed? Japan Week represents a rare opportunity for cultural exchange. Each event is designed to bring local residents and tourists into dialogue with the deepest and most institutional aspects of Japan, creating an unforgettable bond built on respect, curiosity and shared beauty.
Come and discover Japan
Whether you’re a long-standing fan of Eastern culture or simply curious to try something different, Japan Week has plenty to offer, with events, exhibitions and performances that are free to attend.
