For 11 days this May, Japan takes over Montreal—not with fanfare or fireworks, but through ramen steam, saké pours, and kimono silk: Japan Week 2025 runs from May 1 to 11 and has been shaped up to be so much more than a celebration. It’s a city-wide invitation to discover how Japanese culture has woven itself into Montreal’s restaurants, shops, and everyday rituals.
Now in its fifth edition—and stretching from 7 to 11 days for the first time—the event pulls together over 40 participating businesses, from izakayas and manga lounges to matcha bars and craft shops. Add in cultural workshops, a Chibi Japanese Market, and the city’s biggest Shiba and Akita dog gathering, and you’ve got a festival that feels intimate but expansive, rooted in community but open to all.
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![The Bulletin: Four days of big feelings, loud music, and good wine [Issue #125]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthemain.ghost.io%2Fcontent%2Fimages%2F2025%2F04%2Fce23bd_89dc94c8653d4d17b1b4a94d7f11d551-mv2.jpeg&w=256&q=75)
