Press Area

Japan House London is set to be part of the first-ever Japan Festival taking place at Kew Gardens between 2 – 31 October 2021.

Throughout the festival period Kew Gardens will welcome visitors to wander along a momijigari (autumn leaf hunting) trail, enjoying en-route displays of Japanese art, sound and an array of Japanese flora, including a blooming display of seasonal chrysanthemums inside the Temperate House.

On four evenings during the festival period, (8, 9, 15 and 16 October), Kew presents 'Japan After Hours'; a late-night explosion of Japanese culture, art, food and drink inside the Temperate House. At this ticketed event, which runs between 18:30 and 22:30 each evening, Japan House London will host its popular sake bar, offering visitors the chance to sample an array of surprising sake flavours with varieties from across Japan. Showcasing various sake brands with the help of the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, these sweet, sparkling, dry, cloudy and award-winning sake varieties will be served by on-hand experts and importers, who will be available to discuss the drinks in detail. Staff members from Japan House will also be on hand, ready to chat through all things related to Japan.

Guests who stop by the sake bar will also be able to pick up a 10% discount voucher for sake-related items at the Japan House Shop, located on the Ground Floor of the Kensington High Street venue.

Heidi Isa, Director – Marketing and Communications at Japan House, says:

‘The Team at Japan House London is excited to be able to offer an authentic taste of Japan outside of our building in Kensington. Working with the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers’ Association, not only can we offer the chance to learn more about sake itself, but through the tastings, guests to Kew’s Japan Festival can also find out more about Japan’s diverse regions. We’re delighted to be working with Kew Gardens on this event.’

The sake bar will sit alongside creators, performers and artists such as dance group Butoh UK, ikebana (flower arranging) demonstrations, origami creations, and dazzling haiku installations from artists such as Chiharu Shiota, for what is set to be four evenings of sensory-stimulating events.

Tickets for the event can be purchased directly on the Kew Gardens website, here. 

For more information about the Japan Festival, please visit: www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/festival-japan

Please note that a Challenge 25 policy will operate during this event, so guests who look under 25 may be asked to show proof of age.

----- Ends ------

About Japan House London

Japan House London is a cultural destination offering guests the opportunity to experience of the best and latest from Japan. Located on London’s Kensington High Street, the experience is an authentic encounter with Japan, engaging and surprising even the most knowledgeable guests. Presenting the very best of Japanese art, design, gastronomy, innovation, and technology, it deepens the visitor’s appreciation of all that Japan has to offer. Part of a global initiative led by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are two other Japan Houses, one in Los Angeles and the other in São Paulo.

About Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association

The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS) is a non-profit organization that consists of sake and shōchū (a domestic Japanese spirit)producers throughout Japan. Find out more on their website, here. 

Sign-up to our newsletter here.
Follow us on social media @japanhouseldn
For press information, please contact: [email protected]