The University of Michigan Center for Japanese Studies is celebrating the 12th annual Ann Arbor Japan Week. They host a week of Japan related events, performances, and workshops for families and kids. All events are free and open to the public.
The week typically includes performances, crafts, and demonstrations at the Ann Arbor District Library, film screenings at Michigan Theater, and events at UM campus.
My daughter was first introduced to the UM Video Game archive at a Japan Week event in 2018. She got to play a Japanese video game (featuring Yoshi from Mario Brothers)
Ann Arbor Japan Week 2026 runs from June 14-20.
Ann Arbor Japan Week 2026 Activities
This year’s Japan Week includes performances at Top of the Park, .
🇯🇵 Monday, June 15 at 6:00pm-7:00pm Japan Week | Sakura Instrumental Group + Calligraphy Performance at Downtown Branch of AADL
🇯🇵 Tuesday, June 16 at 2:00pm-3:30pm Japan Week | Make a Print Inspired by Japanese Art with UMMA at Downtown Branch of AADL
🇯🇵 Tuesday, June 16 at 5:00pm-7:30pm Top of the Park KidZone: Japan Week - Japanese Crafts at Top of the Park
🇯🇵 Wednesday, June 17 at 11:00am-11:30am Japan Week | A Japanese Classic Tale Omusubi Kororin (Tumbling Riceballs) at Downtown Branch of AADL
🇯🇵 Wednesday, June 17 at 5:00pm-7:00pm Japan Week | Letterpress Lab at Downtown Branch of AADL
🇯🇵 Thursday, June 18 at 4:30pm-7:30pm Japan Week | Yubinuki: Japanese Thimble Rings at Downtown Branch of AADL
🇯🇵 Thursday, June 18 at 7:30pm-9:05pm Japan Week - Okko's Inn Film Screening 🎟 at Michigan Theater
🇯🇵 Friday, June 19 at 6:00pm-7:00pm Japan Week | Sushi Demo with Chef Nakano at Downtown Branch of AADL
🇯🇵 Saturday, June 20 at 11:00am-11:30am Japan Week | Japanese Storytime with Momo Kajiwara at Downtown Branch of AADL
🇯🇵 Saturday, June 20 at 6:00pm-7:00pm Japan Week | The Sounds of Japan at Downtown Branch of AADL
2025 Japan Week Activities We Are Watching
Many activities are repeated year after year or a similar activity is offered. These are the events we are still watching for 2026 event updates:
🇯🇵 Wednesday, June 18 at 5:30pm-6:30pm Japan Week | Kintsugi Demonstration with Aki Motoyama at Downtown Branch of AADL
