The 12th Japan Day, co-hosted by the Stellenbosch University Japan Centre (SUJC) and the Office of the Consul of Japan in Cape Town, took place on 25 October 2025. The lawns and halls of Die Stal at Coetzenberg transformed into a vibrant microcosm of Japanese culture which echoed the image of matsuri (Japanese Cultural Festival).

This was the second Japan Day to be co-hosted by the SUJC at Stellenbosch University, and it saw a tremendous increase in attendees, with crowds swelling well beyond previous years. The day was an interactive means of cultural exchange, allowing for guests to move beyond passive observation and immerse themselves directly in the traditions and pop culture of Japan.

The day’s true impact lay in its deliberate blend of quiet contemplation and dynamic energy, offering attendees a journey through the multifaceted identity of Japan. The most profound experiences were found in the quiet corners of the interactive workshops. Workshops were offered in Shodo (calligraphy), Sumi-e (ink wash painting), Mokuhanga (woodblock printing) and Origami (paper folding). These provided a lesson in process over product. Furthermore, there was a taste of quiet ceremony with a Japanese Tea tasting hosted by Waza Japan.

In stark contrast to the quiet workshops, the main stage showcased dynamic and disciplined aspects of Japanese culture. The notes of a live Koto performance opened the stage events and provided an auditory backdrop grounding the event in classical tradition. This was later juxtaposed against the modern energy of the Cosplay Parade and Hatsune Miku Scavenger Hunt hosted by Cosplay Cape Town.

Various martial art exhibitions followed on the main stage, with demonstrations of Kyudo (archery), Aikido, Karate, and Kenjutsu (swordsmanship). Participants of local martial art clubs and individual performers completed these exhibitions. It was a powerful display of how Japanese tradition and philosophy are physically embodied.

The general atmosphere at Die Stal was one of curiosity and open-minded discovery. There was a vibrant marketplace of local vendors offering Japanese and Asian inspired street foods and groceries, artistic goods and souvenirs.

The event further included intricate displays of Bonsai (SU Botanical Garden) and Ikebana (flower arranging), and the Office of the Consul of Japan had an information session on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme.

The SUJC included a section dedicated to the commemoration of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings which occurred 80 years ago. A display curated by the Hiroshima Peace Museum was shared, which brought a moving and educational element to the event.

Ultimately, the impact of Japan Day 2025 was its success in fostering genuine human connection. It was an event designed to strengthen the ties between South Africa and Japan, achieved not through lectures, but by inviting the Stellenbosch and wider community to touch, taste, see, and do. Attendees left with a deeper appreciation for a culture they had, for a few hours, been a welcome part of.

Read more about the SUJC and further news about the 12th Annual Japan Day here: https://www0.sun.ac.za/japancentre/2025/11/11/the-12th-japan-day-a-bridge-of-culture-at-die-stal-stellenbosch-university/