Natsumatsuri 2026 - Sommerfest des Japanischen Kulturinstituts Köln

Sunshine, wind chimes, colorfully patterned summer kimonos, and a cool cup of tea—in other words, a Japanese summer. The perfect time of year to go out and spend time with friends.

As it does every July, the Japanese Cultural Institute in Cologne invites you to celebrate on a warm summer day. This year, on July 18, 2026, we’re hosting our summer festival and look forward to welcoming many visitors!

Come with your family, friends, or acquaintances and experience the atmosphere of a Japanese summer festival, or “Natsumatsuri,” as it’s called in Japan.

We are very much looking forward to introducing you to our institute and its various activities.

Program (subject to change)

In the Hall

11:15 – 13:15
Film Screening
Labyrinth (Meikyû no shiori)
Directed by Shôji KAWAMORI
2025, 116 minutes, Original version with subtitles
German premiere
with the kind support of Anime House

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Workshop
Haiku Workshop
in collaboration with Japan Airlines

Haiku (俳句) is a poetic form originating in Japan that consists of seventeen syllables. This form, now known worldwide, condenses impressions of seasons and moods into just a few words. Yet many people may never have written a haiku themselves.

Every two years, the JAL Foundation hosts the “World Children’s Haiku Contest” to introduce children around the world to the joy of writing haiku. The JAL branch in Frankfurt supports this project and is offering a haiku workshop as part of its summer festival. On this day, both adults and children are invited to discover and enjoy writing haiku together.

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Concert
Singer-songwriter Yôta Towatari

Yota Towatari, born in Fukuoka, Japan, is a singer-songwriter with an expressive voice, sensitive lyrics, and a very unique style of guitar playing. He gained his first stage experience in local clubs before gaining national attention through competitions like Senko Riot. In 2016, his major-label debut album was released on the Avex Trax label, and that same year he wasselectedby Apple Music Japan for theNew Artist Spotlight. In addition to his own songs, he also performs well-known anime themes from the 1990s—rearranged and sung in multiple languages: Japanese, German, and English. This mix makes his concerts an intense and unique experience. He moved to Düsseldorf at the end of 2023, and since 2025, he has been bringing his music to international stages.

In front of the institute

3:45 p.m.
To wrap things up:A group Obon dance 

At the Institute

Japanese Courses | Conference Room (Upper Floor)
11:15 – 11:45 Welcomeand getting to know each other
12:00 – 12:30 Japanese Writing – My Name in Japanese
12:45 – 1:15 p.m. Hobbies! in Japanese
1:30 – 2:10 p.m. Sushiya Japanese (from approx. Level A2)

Reading | Conference Room (Upper Floor)
2:30 – 3:15 p.m.
Book reading with koinobori crafting for children (in German)
“How the Koinobori Became Kites” by and with Sophia Böhnel

Chōjūgiga nazorigaki (all day) | Room 1 (upper floor)

Would you like to try drawing motifs from the “Animal Caricatures” (chōjū-jinbutsu-giga)—arguably Japan’s oldest manga—using a brush pen? Both children and adults can easily have fun simply by tracing these designs.

Information and Sales Booths

• Anime House
• Cologne Kendama & Kendama Frankfurt
• German-Japanese Society e.V. Cologne
• DoKomi
• Hanairo
• JAL
• JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization)
• Toyota (featuring a classic car from the Toyota Collection)

Ongoing Exhibition

• "YAC Conference & Exhibition 2025–2026" Exhibition
• Library
• Photo Corner
• Hanko machine(DoKomi)
• Japanese Games (Yo-yo and Bouncy Ball Fishing)
• Tryout a kendama
• Origami
• Shogi– Japanese Chess
• Quiz

Food & Drinks

• Gyôza-don,Karaage-don, Japanese Curry (Dontak)
• Kakigôri Shaved Ice (Matsuri Bunkakai)
• Drinks & Japanese Bread (Bakery My Heart / DoKomi)
• Onigiri,Futomaki, Japanese Cakes & Pastries, Japanese Iced Coffee, etc. (Café Cerisier)

Partners

Anime House,Café Cerisier, Cologne Kendama & Kendama Frankfurt,German-Japanese Society e.V. Cologne,DoKomi,Dontak,Hanairo,JAL, JNTO, Matsuri Bunkakai – Association for Japanese Festival and Experiential Culture e.V.i.G., Origami Group Cologne,Shogi Germany e.V.,Toyota Germany

Filming and Photography During the Event
Please be advised that photos and videos will be taken at this event. These may be published in connection with coverage of the event on our website, on social media channels, and in the regional press to publicize the event. The recordings will be stored both offline and online and may therefore also be accessed in countries outside Europe. If you do not wish to be photographed or do not consent to the publication of the photos taken, please inform one of our staff members.