Wales is a nation of storytellers. From ancient poetry to bold new voices, our creativity shapes who we are and how we connect with the world. We ensure our culture is preserved and supported to evolve for the benefit of future generations, and the Year of Wales and Japan continues our work to see that it’s shared and celebrated globally.
The Wales Japan Cultural Programme brings together a host of acclaimed international artists and projects spanning film, music, literature, dance, theatre, visual arts, technology and innovation. Led by Wales Arts International, the British Council and Welsh Government, the programme highlights cultural well-being and sustainability, in a year that marks the 10th anniversary of Wales’ pioneering Well-being of Future Generations Act.
The Cultural Programme sits alongside other Year of Wales and Japan activity to share the knowledge insights gained over the Act’s first decade and explore new economic opportunities by uniting the creativity of both nations, including a trade mission organised by Media Cymru.
At the heart of this activity is a commitment to deepen connections between Wales and Japan, exploring new partnerships, sparking creative collaborations, and opening opportunities for co-investment.
From traditional ceramics to experimental sound, youth choral exchange to inclusive theatre, and media innovations with the potential to reinvent global industries, the programme showcases the breadth of Welsh creativity, while building mutual understanding across cultures.
In the year of Wales and Japan, the Cultural Programme promises to deepen understanding between two nations separated by thousands of miles, but united by shared values, creative ambition, and a commitment to address shared challenges to build a more connected and sustainable world through the transformative power of the arts.
The Programme offers audiences across Wales and Japan the chance to be part of a cultural exchange built on connection, creativity and a shared commitment to a better future.
Here are your opportunities to explore the unique cultures of our two proud nations and the visions for the future that unite us:
Hijinx Theatre, Meet Fred in Japan
With SLOW LABEL and Bird Theatre Festival
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25 September - 08 October 2025
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Tokyo | Tottori | Osaka
Cardiff-based Hijinx Theatre will tour their award-winning show Meet Fred to Japan through autumn 2025. The internationally recognised company, celebrated for its inclusive work with learning-disabled and neurodivergent performers, will perform at the Bird Theatre Festival in Tottori, supported by additional workshops and engagement activities with Tokyo-based inclusive arts organisation SLOW LABEL.
Sustainable Development Goals Dialogues: EXPO Osaka, Kansai and British Embassy Tokyo
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7 October 2025 (Expo Osaka, Kansai)
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9 October 2025 (British Embassy Tokyo)
Two key events will highlight Wales’ leadership in sustainable development and its pioneering Well-being of Future Generations Act, as it marks its 10th anniversary this year.
On 7 October, the Welsh Government will host a public-facing event focused on the UN SDGs, featuring contributions from NGOs, grassroots organisations, and civil society leaders. Wales’ Future Generation Commissioner Derek Walker and former minister Jane Davidson will be in attendance to offer insights into Wales’ inclusive and future-oriented policy model.
Complementing this, a high-level SDG Round Table will be held on 9 October at the British Embassy in Tokyo, bringing together Japanese parliamentarians, academics, and business leaders with Welsh sustainability experts.
With presentations from Jane Davidson and Derek Walker, the round table will explore themes such as climate policy, circular economy, and intergenerational fairness, fostering deeper policy and business dialogue. Together, these events showcase Wales’ commitment to global responsibility and its potential to inform and inspire Japan’s own sustainability journey.
Only Boys Aloud: Choir Tour of Japan
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08-15 October 2025
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Oita | Kitakyushu | Hiroshima | Tokyo
The internationally acclaimed Welsh youth male voice choir Only Boys Aloud deepens its collaboration with Japanese youth choirs from Kitakyushu, Kumamoto and Oita, the cities that so warmly welcomed the Welsh rugby team during the 2025 Autumn Nations Series.
Media Cymru
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Tokyo
Media Cymru will lead a five-day delegation of media industry leaders and creative professionals from Wales on a visit to Tokyo as part of the Year of Wales and Japan.
Media Cymru aims to turn the Cardiff Capital Region into a global leader in media innovation where Research and Development (R&D) is embedded within the media sector. It’s programme of knowledge sharing and collaboration opportunities will include engaging in site visits (NHK, Yoshimoto, Ginza Sony Park and teamLab), high-level meetings, cultural exchanges and showcase events. Professor Sara Pepper and Producer Gavin Johnson of Media Cymru, which is based at Cardiff University, will also connect with media and creative industries academics during their time in Japan.
Hankyu British Fair
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08 – 21 October 2025
Now in its 58th year, the Hankyu British Fair is one of Japan’s longest-running and most popular UK-themed events, attracting over 200,000 visitors to the Umeda main store in Osaka. This year’s theme, “Countryside”, features the iconic Welsh tearoom Tu Hwnt l’r Bont, brought to Japan for the first time after years of anticipation. Alongside the tearoom, five other Welsh food and drink brands are participating, showcasing the quality and diversity of Welsh produce to Japanese audiences.
Cian Ciarán: ‘Rhys a Meinir’ re-interpreted
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11-23 October 2025
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Premiere at teamLab Borderless Tokyo, In-conversation at UK Pavilion EXPO Osaka Kansai with teamLab & Yamaha
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Tokyo | Osaka
Cian Ciarán from the legendary Welsh rock band, Super Furry Animals, will premiere his unique piano reinterpretation of the classic folkloric tale of Rhys a Meinir at the world's leading digital art museum, teamLab Borderless in Tokyo, on October 17.
Originally performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales with narration by renowned Welsh actor, Rhys Ifans, the new score has been reimagined for two self-playing Yamaha pianos, representing the ghosts of the Welsh folkloric characters.
GWENNO: UTOPIA IN JAPAN
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12-23 October 2025
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Tokyo
Award-winning Welsh-Cornish singer-songwriter, electronic producer and sound artist, Gwenno, will perform her latest album, Utopia, a trilingual work in Welsh, Cornish and English, with a series of intimate in-store performances across Tokyo and radio sessions.
Creative Industries Showcase, The British Embassy, Tokyo
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14 October 2025
As part of the Year of Wales and Japan campaign, the Creative Industries Showcase at the British Embassy in Tokyo brings together over 40 representatives from Wales’ dynamic creative sector. Featuring presentations from Creative Wales, Media Cymru, Bad Wolf Studios and Wales Arts International, the event highlights Wales’ strengths in film, TV, animation, music and performing arts. A panel discussion with leading figures from both nations explores opportunities for co-production, content licensing and cultural exchange, while performances by Only Boys Aloud and Gwenno celebrate the creative spirit that unites Wales and Japan.
Theatr Cymru/National Dance Company Wales: Dawns y Ceirw & Creative and Language Technology Workshop
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15-23 October 2025
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Setagaya Street Arts Festival & Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park
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Tokyo | Shiraoi, Hokkaido
Written and performed by Casi Wyn (musician and Children’s Poet Laureate 22-23) this enchanting co-production from Theatr Cymru and National Dance Company Wales travels to Japan for the first time.
Performing to young audiences at the Setagaya Street Art Festival, Tokyo, the company will also collaborate with UPOPOY National Ainu Museum and Park in Hokkaido to hold creative and technology workshops around the use of the Sibrwd technology and its possible application for other indigenous languages.
WALES ARTS INTERNATIONAL / ORCHARD MEDIA & S4C: PETHAU BYCHAIN
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15 October 2025
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Tokyo | Online, s4c global platform
The global release- free via S4C - of Pethau Bychain (Small Things) film project.
Featuring Wales-based Japanese artists Junko Mori alongside seven other artists, and presented by poet Iestyn Tyne, the project embodies Saint David's philosophy of "doing the small things". Commissioned by Wales Arts International the multi-lingual showcase of Wales’ wellbeing culture celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Well-being of Future Generations Act; it demonstrates of how simple acts of kindness and creativity can create meaningful connections across continents.
Keltronika: An audio-visual Celtic culture clash
Cian Ciarán, Gwenno, Mark James, Dean Lligwy
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16 October 2025
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Tokyo
Welsh rock icon Cian Ciarán and Welsh-Cornish musician Gwenno unite with artist and graphic designer Mark James, and ambient artist Dean Lligwy, for an exclusive showcase of Welsh contemporary culture at WALL&WALL in Tokyo's fashionable Aoyama district.
This unique curated event will feature Gwenno performing songs in Cornish, Welsh and English, Mark James displaying artworks including 'Anomalies', 'Mountain People' and 'Culture Clash', and Dean Lligwy premiering ambient Brythonic soundscapes created exclusively for the event.
Kreu Media: Wales in Japan - Language and Film
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23 – 30 October 2025
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Tokyo | Zushi
Curated by Welsh filmmaker and musician Griff Lynch, six captivating Welsh-language films will be showcased in Tokyo and Zushi with Cymdeithas Dewi Sant Japan, Cinema Amigo, and Tollywood Shimokitazawa. The short introductory film weaves the personal journeys of Takeshi Koike and Yuko Nakauchi, two Japanese Welsh speakers whose passion for the language was ignited by their encounters with Welsh art, poetry, and film.
Parthian Books: Transplantable Roots: Exploring cultural connections through literature, history, stories and photography
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5-19 October 2025
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With St Davids Society Japan
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Tokyo | Osaka
The programme will include supporting a creative residency and cultural exchange in Japan for four Parthian writers and artists Susan Karen Burton, Eluned Gramich, Catrin Menai and Elin Gruffydd. Working in collaboration with the St David’s Society Japan to host public events in both Osaka and in Tokyo.
Literature Across Frontiers & Wales Literature Exchange: A Tale of Two Dragons - Connecting Wales and Japan through stories for children with international institute for children’s literature & Japanese board on books for young people
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23 October – 04 November 2025
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Osaka | Kobe | Kyoto
Literature Across Frontiers & Wales Literature Exchange are partnering with two significant Japanese literary organisations, the International Institute for Children’s Literature (IICLO) in Osaka, and Japanese Board on Books for Young People (JBBY). The hybrid project brings together children’s books creators and publishers from Wales and Japan to collaborate and establish new connections. Featuring acclaimed picture book author Yoshifumi Hasegawa and Welsh illustrators Valériane Leblond and Liz Fenwick.
Re-live: Story Dementia Comic
With Kenjin-kai Social Welfare Society
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October– December 2025
Wales based Re-Live and Japan based Kenjin-kai Social Welfare Foundation are coming together as creative collaborators for the first time to co-create a bilingual dementia comic with people living with dementia, families, and care workers from both countries. Published in Welsh, Japanese, and English, the comic will be widely distributed in comic shops, dementia care services, cultural spaces, and among policymakers.
Mari Wirth x Green Bird Himeji
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14-16 November 2025
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Himeji
Wales based Papercut artist and illustrator, Mari Wirth, returns to her hometown of Himeji to collaborate and highlight sustainability and green society with the globally acclaimed Green Bird Himeji, a pan Japan volunteer charity who focus on removing litter from the streets with the concept of “cleaning your city can bring beauty into your heart”.
Amgueddfa Cymru & Oita Prefecture Art Museum artist exchange
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16-30 November 2025
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Oita
A new phase of the longstanding partnership between Amgueddfa Cymru Museums Wales and OPAM (Oita Prefecture Art Museum) will develop an artist residency focussing on Indigenous weaving techniques and patterns.
Welsh textile artist, Llio James, will travel to Oita to collaborate with bamboo artisans, facilitate workshops and exhibit at OPAM. It is anticipated that a reciprocal residency will be developed, seeing a bamboo artisan visiting Wales.
Cardiff Animation Festival x New Chitose International Animation Festival
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Hokkaido: 21-25 November 2025 | Online: 01-08 December 2025
New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival and Cardiff Animation Festival bring together two countries with rich animation histories and vibrant storytelling from Japan and Wales.
The two festivals will engage in cultural exchange in the Japanese north island of Hokkaido during the New Chitose International Animation Festival, with opportunities for workshops, professional development for young filmmakers, a residency for two animators / creative practitioners and for audiences to experience Welsh animation.
Plas Glyn y Weddw x Junko Mori & John Egan
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Coed/Coexist Wales Japan Residency Programme with Mt Fuji Wood Culture Society
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November- December 2025
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Oishi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi | Llanbedrog, Wales
Coed/Coexist, a project initiated by Pen Llŷn based artists Junko Mori & John Egan in partnership with Plas Glyn-y-Weddw gallery that draws our attention to trees and woodland, seeking out wider connections, desires and reliance on these ecosystems while connecting community, creativity and environmental stewardship. It includes a reciprocal month long residency exchange for selected Welsh woodworker, Rae Morris, at Mt Fuji Wood Culture Society in Japan and for Japanese artists in the Llŷn Peninsula.
RHODRI DAVIES: Tour of Japan
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12-24 December 2025
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Tokyo | Kyoto | Oita | Osaka | Hokkaido
Acclaimed Welsh experimental harpist Rhodri Davies’ tour of Japan will include five concerts and one recording session. Davies has collaborated with Japanese musicians working in the free improvisation and experimental music fields for over two decades including Fumi Endo, Kanon Aonami, Suzueri and Tetuzi Akiyama.
PYS MELYN: Tour of Japan
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December 2025
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Tokyo | Osaka
The first tour of Japan for Pys Melyn, taking their Welsh Language pysho-pop and indie music to audiences in Tokyo and Osaka.
The Wales Japan Cultural Programme has already seen powerful collaborations take shape across both nations.
In Kobe, Welsh artists Freya Dooley and Clare Charles developed new sound works and an online radio broadcast exploring collective listening during a two-week residency at AiRK Kobe.
In Cardiff, Wales, Tessa Gray and collaborators from Wales and Japan came together for Choci Loni meets Tobiume, an experimental fusion of music, movement and visual art that created spaces of rhythm, reflection and shared imagination.
In Aberystwyth, Wales, the International Ceramics Festival welcomed Japanese masters Euan Craig and Iku Nishikawa, who shared traditional pottery techniques, sustainable kiln building, and contemporary kintsugi workshops.
Kyoto and Osaka has welcomed Welsh artists Heather Parnell and Sue Hunt to work with Art Spot Korin at the University of Kindai and Mimihara Hospital, exploring the connections between paper, packaging, gift-giving, and arts for health and wellbeing through workshops and exchanges.
