The Japan Foundation, Manila

22/09/2026

Enjoy a live Kabuki costume dressing demonstration and witness the beauty and artistry of the intricate costumes that transform Kabuki performers into unforgettable characters. Join us for a unique afternoon of culture, creativity, and discovery!

RSVP Link: https://tinyurl.com/KabukiCostumeObserver
Limited slots only!

KABUKI Costume Dressing Demonstration

Enjoy a live Kabuki costume dressing demonstration and witness the beauty and artistry of the intricate costumes that transform Kabuki performers into unforgettable characters. Join us for a unique afternoon of culture, creativity, and discovery!



RSVP Link: https://tinyurl.com/KabukiCostumeObserver

Limited slots only!

21/09/2026

KOKUHO OPENS JFF 2026!
The Japanese Film Festival 2026 opens with KOKUHO (国宝), directed by Lee Sang-il!
Experience the breathtaking world of Kabuki on the big screen.
October 1, 2026 | Thursday
SM Megamall Cinema 2
WALK-INS WELCOME! LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE
First come, first served
Queueing starts at 5:30 PM
Gates close once capacity is reached.
Come early. Get your seat. Experience KOKUHO.

KOKUHO OPENS JFF 2026!

The Japanese Film Festival 2026 opens with KOKUHO (国宝), directed by Lee Sang-il!
Experience the breathtaking world of Kabuki on the big screen.

October 1, 2026 | Thursday
SM Megamall Cinema 2
WALK-INS WELCOME! LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE
First come, first served
Queueing starts at 5:30 PM
Gates close once capacity is reached.

Come early. Get your seat. Experience KOKUHO.

20/09/2026

The Japan Foundation, Manila was happy to take part in a meaningful cultural exchange through comics with the Philippine International Comics Festival 2026 with Komiket!

With the Sinta: Q***r Stories from Asia exhibition from July 3 to 12, artists from Japan and Southeast Asia were invited to showcase their work and fly to the Philippines to take part in the festival from July 10 to 12. The three-day event allowed them to meet fans and avid comics enthusiasts in their respective booths, while also participating in stage panels and holding their own masterclasses.

A highlight of the festival was the masterclass of Japanese comic artist, Masaomi Ito on how to become a professional manga artist in Japan. He shared insights on authentic storytelling techniques and the manga industry.

Thank you to everyone who came to PICOF 2026 to support local and international artists, and thank you to Komiket for this wonderful collaboration!

18/09/2026

The stage is set for the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2026 at SM Megamall! 🎬🍿

Check out the screening schedule and catch these cinematic masterpieces on the big screen!

Please stay tuned for updates on ticket mechanics and availability.

Visit our official site for complete film lineup and synopses: https://japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph/

See you at the cinema!
映画館で会いましょう！ 🍿🎥

The stage is set for the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2026 at SM Megamall! 🎬🍿

Check out the screening schedule and catch these cinematic masterpieces on the big screen!

Please stay tuned for updates on ticket mechanics and availability.

Visit our official site for complete film lineup and synopses: https://japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph/

See you at the cinema!
映画館で会いましょう！ 🍿🎥

17/09/2026

Japanese Film Festival 2026 Official Film Lineup - Part 2:

📽️ Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
📽️ Throne of Blood (1957)
📽️ TOKYO TAXI (2025)
📽️ UNDER NINJA (2025)
📽️ Kono Basho (2024)
📽️ Renoir (2025)
📽️ You, Fireworks, and Our Promise (2026)
📽️ School Meals Time: School Excursion Inferno (2025)

FREE ADMISSION

Visit our official website for full synopses and screening information for all featured films:
https://japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph/

17/09/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗣𝗙𝗟-𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

From 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, The Japan Foundation, Manila, in collaboration with the Department of Education, held the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗣𝗙𝗟-𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝟵, bringing together new 𝟯𝟲 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 guided by JFM's Japanese Language Education Advisers and senpai instructors.

Beginning online and continuing face-to-face, the five-day training focused on strengthening Japanese language skills, exploring practical classroom strategies, and learning from experienced senpai instructors.

A highlight was the 𝗺𝗼𝗴𝗶 𝗷𝘂𝗴𝘆𝗼 (𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻), where participants applied the 𝗲𝗻𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 teaching approach, received feedback, and reflected on ways to make their lessons more effective and engaging. They also practiced useful Japanese expressions for the classroom and explored lesson planning and delivery.

Beyond the lessons, teachers from 𝗟𝘂𝘇𝗼𝗻, 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼 came together to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build connections within the Japanese language education community.

The Japan Foundation, Manila extends its appreciation to the 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, the 5 senpai instructors, and all 36 participants who made the training a meaningful week of shared learning and growth.

Here’s to bringing new ideas, confidence, and enthusiasm back into the classroom! 🌱

𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨: https://jfmo.org.ph/education-tools/

17/09/2026

みつける・つくる・つたえる　日本語と 日本ぶんかの みりょくー𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

From 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, the 𝗖𝗝𝗛 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝟴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, a group of 𝟯𝟮 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲-𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 from across the Philippines gathered in Makati to immerse themselves in Japanese culture! This 𝟱-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 was jointly organized by the 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱-𝗕𝗖𝗗) and the 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮.

Throughout the training, the teachers engaged in several hands-on activities and school visits:

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼 𝗨𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗼𝗸𝗮𝗶 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Experiencing an authentic Japanese traditional tea ceremony firsthand.

𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗶 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: With the help of two NIHONGO Partners, the teachers learned 2 origami designs, which they can use for their classroom activities.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 (𝗠𝗝𝗦): Delivering 5-minute cultural presentations to Grade 7 Japanese students, followed by an insightful exchange with MJS teachers on educational practices.

𝗔𝗷𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: Touring the facility to learn about Japanese work culture.

We hope this 5-day immersion program helped our 32 CJH teachers learn more about Japan’s culture. By extension, we hope these underlying values and principles that they discovered will help the teachers in finding innovative and engaging ways to teach Nihongo to their students, fostering their love for Japan’s language and culture.

Learn more about the Course on Japan for High School Classroom Instructions (CJH) and NIHONGO Partners Program here:

CJH: https://jfmo.org.ph/japan-for-high-school-classroom.../

NP: https://jfmo.org.ph/nihongo-partners-program/

15/09/2026

Travel Talks in the Metaverse! Highlights from Our Oshaberi Salon ✈️✨

On Friday, September 11, the Japan Foundation, Manila held a travel-themed “Oshaberi Salon”!
This time, we held the session in a metaverse space instead of our usual classroom or online setup. 🌟
Participants created their own avatars, enjoyed quizzes, and shared their favorite travel destinations in the Philippines. They were also able to leave comments, send reactions, and move their avatars around the space. It felt just like chatting together at a café! ☕💬
“Oshaberi Salon” is a relaxed space where participants can practice Japanese and freely interact with one another.
We hope to continue holding fun “Oshaberi Salon” sessions in the metaverse!
See you at the next “Oshaberi Salon”! ✨

メタバースで旅のおしゃべり！「おしゃべりサロン」をレポート✈️✨

9月11日（金）、The Japan Foundation, Manilaでは、旅行をテーマにした「おしゃべりサロン」を開催しました！
今回は、いつもの教室やオンラインではなく、メタバース空間で開催🌟
参加者はオリジナルのアバターを作り、クイズを楽しんだり、フィリピンのお気に入りの旅行先を紹介したりしました。コメントやリアクションを送ったり、アバターを動かしたりしながら交流し、まるでカフェで一緒におしゃべりしているような雰囲気でした！☕💬
「おしゃべりサロン」は、リラックスした雰囲気の中で日本語を練習し、参加者同士が自由に交流できる場です。
これからもメタバースを活用した楽しい「おしゃべりサロン」を開催していきます！
次回の「おしゃべりサロン」もお楽しみに！✨

14/09/2026

Japanese Film Festival 2026 Official Film Lineup - Part 1:

📽️ KOKUHO (2025)
📽️ Hula Girls -4K Remastered- (2006)
📽️ Blue Boy Trial (2025)
📽️ The Girl Who Sees (2025)
📽️ Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (2023)
📽️ KABUKI 「KAZE NO TANI NO NAUSICAÄ - Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind」 Part 1 & Part 2 (2020)
📽️ Renjishi (The Father and Son Shishi Lions) (2008)

FREE ADMISSION

Visit our official website for full synopses and screening information for all featured films:
https://japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph/

11/09/2026

Let’s rewind a few months back, and re-live this unforgettable weekend of dance, music, and friendship.

Last June 20-21, 2026, STELLA DANCE JAM (SDJ): Philippines x Japan Friendship 2026 brought together RIEHATA, RHT Family, rising dancers —the Stellas of RHT PH and RHT Japan —for two electrifying shows at The Theatre at Solaire. With special performances by SB19, XONARA, and J2X, the stage came alive in a celebration of creativity, friendship, and connection.

Until the next dance jam, stellas!

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The Stella Dance Jam (SDJ 2026) was organized by The Japan Foundation

Video co-produced by First Light Studios (FLS)