Japan Week: Celebrating Japanese Food, Drink & Culture

🔖 4 min read

Taking place from Monday 27th September to Sunday 3rd October 2021 in Covent Garden and across the city, the Japan Week Festival, in association with Grand Seiko, will celebrate London’s thriving Japanese scene in a series of exciting events and collaborations.

This year, the Japan Week Festival will have a permanent hub in Seven Dials where visitors can experience a variety of food, drink, and cultural activities throughout the week.

In addition, restaurants, pubs, and venues around London and the UK will be showcasing the best of Japanese culture by hosting one-time Japanese themed events, bookable delights, limited-edition menus, and special deals!

For further details on bookable experiences visit the Japan Week Festival site.

Japan Week Festival

Discovering Japan in London

Both sizable and boutique restaurants and bars across London are taking part, from high-end restaurants such as Nobu, Novikov and M Restaurants, through to some of the coolest restaurants including Bone Daddies, Kanpai and Japanified (From the founders and creators of the awarded dark kitchen concept, Sugoi JPN.).

Japan Week Festival will play host to a range of Japanese pop-up experiences at The Lexus Takumi Townhouse, Stables X, Seven Dials, in Covent Garden. There will be a tattoo-inspired interpretation of the UX compact luxury SUV, created by leading London tattoo artist Claudia De Sabe as a tribute to the Takumi craftsmanship and traditional Japanese artistry that is applied to every Lexus car.

De Sabe will demonstrate her techniques at the festival by “tattooing” a UX bonnet, working in the calm surroundings of a Zen Garden.

Takumi: A 60,000-Hour Story on the Survival of Human Craft.

Did you know that there’s a Lexus documentary on ‘Takumi’, an exploration of the extreme lengths certain Japanese artisans would go to achieve the pinnacle of human achievement in their field?

Japan Week Venues Across London

Just some of the restaurants taking part in Japan Week Festival that you need to check out!

Kanpai! Japanese Drinks You’ll Want to Try

Kirin Ichiban will be the Official Beer Partner. Kirin Ichiban is authentically Japanese with a flavour crafted to appeal to the palate, pairing beautifully with Japanese cuisine. Kirin Ichiban represents a rich culture of meticulousness.

The Official Spirits Partner for Japan Week is BBC Spirits, which has a portfolio of Japanese spirits brands including Roku Gin, Haku Vodka and a range of Japanese whisky. As part of Japan Week, House of Suntory will be creating special one-off cocktails. Merchant’s Heart, also owned by Suntory, is the Official Mixer Partner and is a premium Japanese mixer that enhances and perfectly complements a range of spirits.

Here’s to the #SAKEREVOLUTION

KANPAI, the UK’s first sake brewery located in Peckham, South London, is also a sponsor of Japan Week.

KANPAI craft award-winning, modern British style sake, using traditional Japanese techniques. All of their sake is made lovingly by hand, using the very best ingredients and low interventionist brewing methods, allowing the natural characteristics of each ingredient to shine through.

KANPAI is also home to Europe’s first sake taproom, situated above their brewery, sake lovers and newcomers alike can enjoy a slice of Japan in our very own home of sake in London.

Owner of KANPAI and Japan Week Festival Ambassador Tom Wilson says: “Japan Week is an incredible opportunity for everyone to experience a taste of Japan right here in London. Restaurants and bars across the capital will be joining us in celebrating Japan’s rich food and drink culture. I for one can’t wait to delve into this Japanese showcase on our very own doorstep, particularly in a time when travelling abroad is not so straightforward.”