Aki Matsuri

– Japanese Autumn Festival –

Event Information

AKI MATSURI: Discover the Colors of Your Autumn

From 18 to 19 October 2025, The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam warmly invites everyone to experience the spirit of Japanese autumn through “Aki Matsuri – Japanese Autumn Festival.” This two-day festival transforms Japan Foundation premises into a festive space where visitors can enjoy the colors, tastes, and sounds of Japan’s most poetic season.

In Japan, autumn marks the end of the hot summer and the beginning of cooler, longer nights, this time is a season when creativity and appreciation of beauty come alive. Just like Hanoi, where the gentle breeze and golden sunlight mark the arrival of a calm and pleasant season, autumn in Japan is cherished as a time to slow down, savor the moment, and reconnect with nature. It is often described as “~ no Aki” (“autumn for ~”), such as autumn for food, reading, arts, or sports, reflecting a time when people are inspired to engage in enriching activities. Embracing this theme, the festival presents a variety of cultural experiences ranging from Kendama, Shogi, Origami, and Ningyo (Japanese dolls) display to dynamic Yosakoi dance and graceful Iaido demonstrations, inviting visitors of all ages to explore both traditional and contemporary aspects of Japanese culture.

The program also features interactive Haiku workshop and dialogue roundtable on Autumn in Japan, offering deeper insights into the aesthetics and sensibilities that shape the Japanese way of appreciating the season. As evening falls, the atmosphere will shift into a warm, nostalgic glow with bamboo lanterns illuminating the courtyard, accompanied by a DJ night featuring Japanese City Pop music, creating a relaxed yet festive ambiance.

Autumn’s charm is also enjoyed through its flavors. Visitors can enjoy a taste of Japan’s seasonal favorites at the Food and Drink Booth, featuring favorites such as Takoyaki, Japanese tea. Details of each event/ activity/ booth will be announced and updated on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/japanfoundation.vietnam/

Through this event, we hope to share with Vietnamese audiences the beauty, creativity, and joyful spirit of Japan’s autumn, a season that celebrates harmony between nature and human life and to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cultural understanding between Japan and Vietnam.

■ For inquiries on the program, please contact at:

Ms. Chau 024-3944-7419 (ext: 104) / Mr. Osuka (076-606-0858)

The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam

27 Quang Trung, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam                                  TEL: 024-3944-7419

https://www.facebook.com/japanfoundation.vietnam/                         https://hn.jpf.go.jp/

■ Credits

Organized by: The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam

With participation of: Haiku Viet Club; Hanuyo; Vietnam Shogi Club; Vietnam Kendama Club; Vietnam Origami Group; Iaido Hanoi; PM coffee and Eatery; Takobar Takoyaki; Ali Kitchen

Individual support: AOKI Masaru

■ Agenda

■ About:

1. Haiku and “Haiku Viet Club”

Haiku is Japan’s iconic short-form poetry, traditionally 17 syllables in a 5–7–5 pattern, often featuring a seasonal reference (kigo) and a cutting word (kireji) to capture a single vivid moment. While contemporary haiku allows for variation, it remains defined by brevity, quiet focus, and evocative power, saying little while suggesting much.

Haiku Viet Club was founded in 2007 by Assoc. Prof. Lưu Đức Trung in Ho Chi Minh City, marking a new beginning for haiku poetry in Vietnam. On May 20, 2009, poets Đinh Nhật Hạnh, Lê Thị Bình, and Nghiêm Xuân Đức established the Haiku Vietnam Club – Hanoi, which became a member of the Hanoi Vietnam–Japan Friendship Association.

In 2010, Ban’ya Natsuishi, President of the World Haiku Association (WHA), admitted club members to the WHA, expanding exchanges with Japan, France, the United States, and more. Members’ works have appeared in World Haiku Association Review, GENYU, and on haikuviet.com. The club has organized haiku symposia (2014, 2016), its first composition contest (2021), and collaborated with the Japan Foundation, Japan Airlines, and the Embassy of Japan, spreading the spirit of Vietnamese haiku nationwide.

2. Yosakoi and “Hanuyo”

Yosakoi originated in Kōchi, Japan, from a 1954 festival. It’s a modern, team-based festival dance set to upbeat music, featuring naruko clappers and folk-inspired elements.

Founded in 2009, Hanuyo is a Hanoi-based Yosakoi group of young people who share a passion for Japanese culture. After more than 15 years, the team has performed at major events at home and abroad and now has nearly 80 active members.

Since 2017, Hanuyo has created original pieces highlighting Vietnamese culture, such as the Sơn Tinh Thủy Tinh legend, water puppetry, lên đồng (spirit mediumship), and the Mid-Autumn Festival, and has appeared three times at Harajuku Super Yosakoi (2017, 2019, 2024), one of Japan’s largest Yosakoi festivals. The team has earned honors including Second Prize at the 2018 Cherry Blossom Festival and First Prize at Aki Yosakoi 2023. Entering its 16th year, Hanuyo continues to share Vietnamese culture through vibrant, inventive choreography.

3. Shogi and “Vietnam Shogi Club”

Shogi is Japan’s traditional board game, sharing roots with chess and xiangqi (Chinese Chess), which began to take shape and develop around the 11th century.

The Vietnam Shogi Club was founded on March 21, 2021, emerging from a community of young shogi enthusiasts in Hanoi. Since then, the Club has steadily grown, expanded its community, and worked to popularize shogi, an emblem of Japan’s culture across Vietnam.

The Club currently has 75 members nationwide (as of September 28, 2025). On May 30, 2023, the Vietnam Shogi Club was recognized by the Japan Shogi Association (JSA) as its Vietnam Branch. On April 16, 2024, it was recognized as a grassroots chapter by the Hanoi Vietnam–Japan Friendship Association.

4. Kendama and “Vietnam Kendama Club”

Kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy: a wooden handle (ken) with three cups and a spike, paired with a wooden ball (tama) attached by a string. Players toss and catch the ball on the cups or “spike” it to perform trick sequences, building reflexes, balance, and focus.

Founded in September 2012 in Hanoi, Vietnam Kendama Club (VKC) aims to spread the joy of kendama across Vietnam and connect the local community with the world. VKC is supported by the Japan Kendama Association (JKA): instructors from JKA visit twice a year for technical training; VKC co-organizes, Kyu/Dan certification exams in Vietnam; and JKA supports Vietnam’s team to attend the World Open Kendama Festa and the Asia Kendama Championship in Japan annually.

5. Origami and “Vietnam Origami Group”

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding: transforming a single sheet (often square) into figures using only folds, with cutting and gluing traditionally minimized.

The Hanoi Origami Club was founded in November 2008 and met at the Vietnam – Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace until mid 2017. During venue renovations, members met online and held offline gatherings every three months. Since March 2023, the club has officially resumed weekly sessions every Saturday at Vietnam – Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace, Hanoi. It brings together origami enthusiasts living in Hanoi, with more than 350 participants registered to date, including students and international members.

6. Iaido and “Iaido Hanoi”

Iaido is a Japanese martial art focused on the precise sequence of drawing the sword, striking, deflecting, wiping, and sheathing it in one continuous, fluid motion. It trains practitioners to respond calmly to sudden situations while emphasizing composure, etiquette, and zanshin, which is a state of heightened awareness.

Ozawa Tatsuya sensei introduced the Toyama-ryu style of Iaido in Hanoi and personally instructed a group of Vietnamese practitioners, including teacher Le Hai Son. In 2019, under his guidance, the Hanoi Iaido Club was established, marking the beginning of the first generation of Vietnamese Iaidoka (Iaido practitioners).

In 2023, after returning to Japan, Ozawa Tatsuya sensei continued to serve as a technical advisor and has visited Vietnam annually for training sessions. By 2024, the system had expanded to five clubs with more than 50 regular members, creating a multi-generational practice community that fosters both physical and mental discipline while promoting cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan through Iaido.

7. Houjicha latte and “PM Coffee and Eatery”

Houjicha is a Japanese roasted green tea with a warm, nutty aroma and a naturally smooth taste.

Started out as a small tea shop, now “PM Coffee and Eatery” has turned into a cozy little café. There’s soft sunlight, old wooden tables, Japanese matcha and houjicha smell, together with slow, soothing music.

8. Takoyaki and “Takobar Takoyaki”

Takoyaki is a famous Japanese especially Osaka’s street snack made of golden, crispy balls filled with tender octopus.

Founded in 2021, TAKOBAR TAKOYAKI aims to bring the authentic flavors of Osaka’s street food to young people in Vietnam by introducing two signature dishes: Takoyaki Osaka and Takoyaki Nori, made with traditional Japanese ingredients such as octopus, bonito flakes, red ginger, and seaweed, blended with wheat, rice, and corn flour.

9. Japanese-style Chè and “Ali Kitchen”

Ali Kitchen is a homemade cooking store based in Hanoi specialized in Vietnamese and Japanese dishes. Menu is strictly selected and customized according to season, therefore different each time customers order. It does not serve all day, just receiving pre-order when the menu is released. Small and hidden but worth to try if you want to experience the cuisine of Japan in Hanoi. Stay tuned to discover which Japanese-style dessert will be introduced at Ali Kitchen!

10. AOKI Masaru

Japanese Doll Restorer / Advisor, Yoshitoku Co., Ltd.

Born in 1949 in Yamakoshi Village, Niigata Prefecture. After graduating from university in 1972, Aoki joined Yoshitoku Co., Ltd. He was assigned to the main store in Asakusabashi, Tokyo, where he handled special orders for the Imperial Household Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other distinguished clients, later serving in the President’s Office. Under the direction of the 11th head of Yoshitoku, Yamada Tokubei, he took part in the restoration of friendship dolls and return dolls exchanged between Japan and the United States. Since the homecoming of “Miss Greater Japan / Hinodeko” in 1983 to “Miss Miyazaki” in 2017, he has been involved with a total of 42 returning dolls.

In recent years, Aoki has actively participated in homecoming events across both Japan and the United States. Currently serving as a part-time advisor at Yoshitoku, he is dedicated to the Japan–U.S. Friendship Doll Exchange Project. He has also given numerous lectures and workshops introducing the artistry of Japanese dolls in New Zealand, Bangkok, Hanoi, Fiji, Beijing, and other locations around the world.

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