Japan Day is just one of many amazing celebrations that take place annually here in Düsseldorf. The Japan Day celebrations are typically held in May or June and you’ll find hundreds of thousands of visitors here flooding the streets of the city to celebrate the amazing festivities going on during the day… but what exactly is going on?
Here’s a full guide (in English) so that you can explore the cities coolest events this weekend without missing out on a single blink.
First, what is Japan Day?
Japan Day (Japan-Tag) is the largest Japanese festival in the world and is celebrated annually in Düsseldorf, Germany around May or June. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. North Rhine-Westphalia is home to one of the largest Japanese communities outside of Japan. That means that on this particular weekend each and every year, the entire Altstadt will be filled with Japanese celebrations, traditions, food, and culture. The festivities will take place at Burgplatz and spread throughout the Altstadt and along the Rhine Promenade.
TIP: If you’re a fan of anime and would like to join the celebrations, join the party and get yourself a costume! You might be able to find some great costumes online at the Karneval Megastore or of course, and one of the Deiters locations around the city.
Here are some of the best activities that are likely to take place during Japan Day that you won’t be able to miss.
Burgplatz
- Opening ceremony: The opening ceremonies take place at Burgplatz and often includes an introduction from the Mayor of Düsseldorf and the President of the Japanese Clubs
- Kindergarten celebrations: Burgplatz is typically all about kids, celebrating the local Japanese Kindergartens
- Live music: In the evenings, the stage is often filled with dance, pop music, and the winning presentation for the cosplay awards
Rhine Promenade
- Every year you can expect the entire Rhine Promenade will be filled with tents where companies and clubs are able to promote their facilities and products. If you’re interested in taking part in some more Japanese cultural activities around Düsseldorf, this is where you’re going to want to be.
Mannesmannufer (the promenade by KIT and Apollo)
- All about cosplay, karaoke, songs, and games. This is a great spot to snap some photographs of Japan Day as there are often hundreds of people from all over the world gathered together in the most unreal cosplay costumes you’ve ever seen.
Photo credit: azproduction via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA
Johannes-Rau-Platz (by the State Parliament Building/Landtag Building)
- Japanese sports: If you take an interest in the art of Japanese sports, there are often performances held throughout the day here and opportunities to even test some of these sports out yourself. You can expect to experience Sumo, Judo, Kyudo, Ping Pong, Karate, Ju-Jitsu, and many others.
- Japanese crafts: There is also often an abundance of kid (and adult) crafting opportunities here as well. Children can learn how to sculpt different crafts like Japanese masks, and the adults can often learn how to craft anime and build robots.
There are various other locations that often take part in Japan Day!
In previous years, the following locations have also taken part:
- Black Box: Playing famous Japanese short films
- EKO Haus (where the cherry blossoms bloom every year): Small concerts and shows in each room of the house
- Hetjens – The German Ceramic Museum: Instead of learning all about German ceramics, the German Ceramics Museum often celebrates Japan Day by featuring some of the coolest Japanese porcelain from the 1700s
- Düsseldorf City Museum (Stadtmuseum): The city museum in the past has often showcased the history and stories behind the Düsseldorf and Japanese relationships (something many visitors ask a lot about when visiting the city)
- Japanese Restaurants: The restaurants around the city will be fully staffed and ready to take your order, so why not celebrate with a little bit of Japanese food?
The Grand Finale: Japanese Fireworks
If you’ve never experienced Japan Day before… you’re still going to have to get yourself out of the house for this incredible display of fireworks along the Rhine River. The fireworks are set off on the grass on the Oberkassel side right by the Rheinknie Bridge (and the DJH Hostel – a great place to stay, but you’ll need to book far in advance).
If you’re looking for the best view spot, here are a couple of options:
- Kasematten / Rhine Promenade
- In front of Apollo / KIT (Kunst im Tunnel)
- On the Rheinknie Bridge
- Behind the Landtag Building on the Promenade (you get the view of the fireworks and the bridge – perfect for photographers)
TIP: You’re not the only one who wants to watch the fireworks… people start claiming their spots earlier on in the day. Now is your chance to come up with a genius plan as to how you’re going to mark your turf for the evening display of fireworks.
This was a quick summary for those of you who want an overall input on how the events pan out during the course of the day. However, if you want the full program guide, be sure to download it on the Official Japan Day website.
