Bristol Japanese Cultural Society

22/10/2026

22/10/2026

12/10/2026

Japan Matsuri

25/09/2026

Today, Japan celebrates 月見 (Tsukimi), or “moon viewing” - a tradition centred around admiring the harvest moon and giving thanks for the season’s crops.

Some traditions include:

🌕 Moon viewing: Families and friends gather in gardens, parks, shrines, and other open spaces to admire the bright autumn moon.

🍡 Tsukimi dango: Round white rice dumplings are traditionally arranged in a pyramid as an offering, symbolising the full moon. They’re enjoyed while wishing for health and happiness.

🌾 Pampas grass: Japanese silver grass is used in decorations and offerings. Traditionally, it is believed to ward off evil and bring a good harvest.

🐇 The moon rabbit: look closely at the moon’s darker markings and you may spot a rabbit making mochi - a symbol taken from a Buddhist folk tale.

🍠 Tastes of autumn: Seasonal foods include roasted sweet potatoes, chestnuts, taro and persimmons. Many restaurants have also started creating dishes to celebrate tsukimi, including soba and udon topped with an egg, representing the full moon.

Will you go out and look at the moon this evening? 🌕✨

10/08/2026

Our founder Yumiko-san recently met the authors of this fabulous new book about kimonos, and how traditional Japanese garments reflect the changing natural world through textile art, colors, and motifs 👘

If you'd like to get your hands on a copy of "Kimono: Sense Seasons Through Silk" we have a few copies available to buy - they're £25 and can be picked up from Yumiko's salon in central Bristol (bettyyumiko )

19/07/2026

This time last week we were holding 'shodo' calligraphy workshops at the wonderful St Werburghs City Farm. Here are some more photos from the day ✨🎋🖌️

16/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the weekend for our shodo calligraphy workshops and craft activities at the beautiful St Werburghs City Farm. It was a fantastic day ☀️🎋

We hope you enjoyed taking part - don't forget to tag us in any photos so we can see them!

Keep an eye on our page for updates on our next event... 👀

10/07/2026

Who's joining us at St Werburghs City Farm this weekend for a Japanese calligraphy workshop? There are still a few spaces left and you can reserve a space here: https://hdfst.uk/e157777

Our wonderful tutor Reina will be running 3 x 40 minute sessions designed to teach you all the basics, and you can even take your work home at the end!

Alongside the workshop aimed at people aged 17 years+, there will be some free drop-in activities for families including origami and wish-writing for Tanabata star festival.

We can't wait - see you there!

07/07/2026

Today (7 July) Japan celebrates the beautiful 'Tanabata' Star Festival! 🎋 It is a day of romance, vibrant colors, and making wishes under the night sky. ✨

Celebrations include writing a wish on a colourful paper strip called tanzaku, then tying it to bamboo branches for good luck. In these photos you can see local children's group Bristol Tanemaki Bunko showing off their bamboo branches!

If you'd like to try celebrating Tanabata this year, head down to St Werburghs City Farm on Sunday where we will be running drop-in tanabata wish writing activities. Find out more: https://hdfst.uk/e157777

02/07/2026

Join us on July 12th to take part in a 'shodo' Japanese calligraphy session at St Werburghs City Farm!

Our wonderful tutor Reina will be running 3 x 40 minute sessions designed to teach you all the basics, and you can even take your work home at the end!

Tickets can be reserved online now via the link in our bio on a 'pay what you can' basis: https://hdfst.uk/e157777

Alongside the workshop aimed at people aged 17 years+, there will be some free drop-in activities for families including origami and wish-writing for Tanabata star festival.

It's set to be a great day in the beautiful community space at St Werburghs City Farm, we hope to see you there!