Bon Odori – Japanese Culture Festival in Vilnius, September 5–6, 2026.
LITHUANIA 2026
Japanese Culture Festival
Two days of dance, music and community at Istorijų namai.
Istorijų namai, Lithuanian National Museum, Vilnius
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What is this?
On 5–6 September, the courtyard of the House of Histories will transform into a little piece of Japan in the heart of Vilnius. The free two-day BON ODORI Japanese Culture Festival invites visitors to discover Japanese traditions through dance, live music, art, martial arts, creative workshops and authentic flavours.
One of the festival’s main highlights will be a performance by the 22-member “Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori Kikusui-ren” troupe arriving from Tokyo. Audiences will experience the energy of traditional Awa Odori dance accompanied by live music, taiko drums and Japanese instruments.
Visitors will also be invited to join a traditional Bon Odori community dance led by Japanese culture promoter Ayano Honda. No previous dance experience is required – everyone is welcome to step into the circle and dance together.
The festival programme includes creative workshops, Japanese calligraphy, sumi-e painting, ikebana, sashiko embroidery, kimono culture, traditional crafts, talks about Japan, Aikido and Kyokushin karate performances, a Japanese goods market, a food courtyard and activities for the whole family.
Admission to the festival is free. Advance registration is required for selected workshops, and some workshops may have a separate participation fee.
What to expect at the festival
Dances &
Performances
Workshops
Traditional Japanese shodō calligraphy for children aged 9 to 16 – create your own calligraphy piece with Hikari studio founder Ieva Šimanskaitė.
Read more & photosEmakimono scroll bookbinding, kakejiku and yotsume toji binding workshops with graphic artist Inga Eičaitė.
Read more & photosPainting a horse and a pine tree on fans with the Japanese sumi-e technique, from age 12 – discover traditional ink painting with Marija Šimanskaitė.
Read more & photosThe traditional Japanese art of flower arranging – ikebana presented by Mariko Shimizu, 3rd grade instructor of the Sogetsu Ikebana School and wife of the Ambassador of Japan.
Read more & photosJapanese sashiko stitching – create geometric patterns on fabric with practitioner Rūta Žinienė.
Read more & photosDiscover Kaizen, Kintsugi, Wabi-Sabi, Ikigai and other ideas of Japanese life philosophy in a different way! An experiential session with Rūta Visocnik.
Read more & photosA presentation of kimono and hakama – get to know the traditional Japanese art of dress.
Read more & photosA paper lantern (chōchin) decorating activity with Seito San – a teacher from the Japanese language and culture center in Klaipėda.
Read more & photosIndoor workshop schedule
September 5
Room 1
Calligraphy workshop
Ieva Šimanskaitė
Kimono
Simona Kumpė
Sashiko lesson for beginners (Saturday)
Rūta Žinienė
Room 2
Emakimono
Inga Eičaitė
Kakejiku
Inga Eičaitė
Scent education
Rūta Visocnik
September 6
Room 1
Ikebana workshop
Mariko Shimizu
Sashiko (Sunday)
Rūta Žinienė
Room 2
Sumi-e (12:00–13:00 group)
Marija Šimanskaitė
Sumi-e (14:00–15:00 group)
Marija Šimanskaitė
Yotsume-Toji
Inga Eičaitė
Workshops marked as requiring advance registration have limited spots. The event is free, though some workshops carry a small participation fee – check the workshop's own page for details.
Activities &
Shops
The creators of Bon Odori Vilnius – events, experiences and spreading Japanese culture in Lithuania.
Read more & photosDetails of Japanese life and culture: Japanese ceramics, bamboo chopsticks, matcha and other Japanese teas, and sweets.
Read more & photosA little corner of Japan at the festival – Japanese toys, stationery, free LaQ workshops, and brand-new Iwako Dot Art creative workshops.
Read more & photosOrigami folding and mizuhiki knot-tying workshops – make a lovely keepsake for yourself or a loved one.
Read more & photosAikido – the path of harmony with life energy. Introductory training sessions and a demonstration program for everyone.
Read more & photosHand-dyed textile pouches and bags made with plant dyes – Lithuanian linen paired with vintage Japanese fabrics.
Read more & photosSmall-group experiential travel to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Read more & photosFire-and-ash ceramics – vessels fired in a traditional Japanese-style Anagama kiln, where wood ash becomes a natural glaze.
Read more & photosA shop for Japanese vintage finds and pop culture items – kimono, haori, ceramics and small treasures straight from Japan.
Read more & photosDiscover your name in Japanese calligraphy – the Embassy of Japan's stand at the festival.
Read more & photosA Riichi Mahjong tournament and a chance to discover one of Japan's most fascinating strategy games – September 6th.
Read more & photosA Kyokushin karate community – introductory training sessions and a demonstration program at the festival.
Read more & photosFestival Program
September 5
Festival doors open
Official festival opening
Live talk
"Japan: What We Know, and What We Only Think We Know"
with Dr. Arvydas Kumpis
Live talk
"Japan Up Close: Travels, Discoveries and Experiences"
with Kamilė Aleliūnienė, "Kabukio kelionės".
Live talk
"Secrets of the Japanese Garden: When Nature Becomes Art"
with Petras Ignotas, CEO of "Tokvila", and Marija Šimanskaitė of "Nihon Japanese Culture House".
Break
"Aikido Kiyonami": harmony in movement
In another festival space, on the tatami.
"Awa Odori": dance performance
The "Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori Kikusui-ren" troupe from Tokyo, presented by the Embassy of Japan.
An Evening of Japanese Rhythms
A playlist of Japanese music and contemporary sounds with DJ Jonas Martynas.
September 6
Festival doors open
Day two opening
Live talk
"From Tea to Sake: A Journey Through Japanese Flavors and Traditions"
with sommelier Martynas Pravilonis and Giedrė Prievelytė, "Yugen Tea".
Live talk
"The World of Japanese Art: From Tradition to Contemporary Creation"
with Rūta Žinienė, "Blue Garden Sashiko", and Inga Eičaitė, "Emakimono".
Live talk
"Karate That Raises Generations"
With multiple-time European champion and founder of the "SHIN" karate sports club, Dmitrijus Aleksandrovas.
Break
"Tamashii no Mezame – Awakening of the Soul"
A Kyokushin karate and stage performance. Director: Jelizaveta Aleksandrova.
Read more"Bon Odori" – traditional Japanese Obon circle dance
(Everyone is welcome to join the dance.) Together with festival organizer and professional dancer Ayano Honda.