Montreal's 'Japan Week' Culture & Food Festival Is Coming Back For 6 Days In Early May

Don't forget about the annual Shiba and Akita dog gathering!

Someone pets a dog at the 2022 Japan Week Shiba and Akita gathering. Right: Three people talk at the Japan Week 2022 Launch.

Someone pets a dog at the 2022 Japan Week shiba and akita gathering. Right: Three people talk at the Japan Week 2022 Launch.

Staff Writer

From the creators of YATAI MTL comes the third annual Japan Week culture and food festival, which brings together more than 30 local businesses to invite Montrealers "to discover and enjoy Japan, without leaving their city."

This year's Japan Week is taking place from May 8 to 14 at 22 restaurants and 17 stores across Montreal. Japan Week is also hosting three "cultural activities," including a library of artwork and performances by Katsura Sunshine, a Canadian traditional Japanese rakugo storyteller.

The festival was launched by the founders of YATAI MTL in 2021 as a way to support local stores and to "adapt" the organization's flagship event during the pandemic, according to a recent press release.

This year's design themes for Japan Week incorporate and celebrate the year of the rabbit, which organizers credit as a "symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity."

Participating restaurants include local favourites Sansotei Ramen, Umami Ramen and Isakaya and noodle bar Neo Tokyo. Uncle Tetsu Montreal, Kyoto Fleurs and La brasserie San-Ô are also involved in the 2023 festival.

Shiba and Akita fans can also anticipate the fourth edition of Japan Week's dog gathering on May 13, which has historically attracted more than 150 dogs each year.

The three ambassadors selected for Japan Week 2023 are master sommelier Kuniko Fujita, also known as Mme. Saké au Québec, Geneviève Borne, a noted lover of Japan, and Quebec sociologist and writer Valérie Harvey.

YATAI MTL's Japan Week 2023

Where: At 22 participating restaurants and 17 stores across Montreal

When: May 8 to 14, 2023

Website

  • Willa Holt
  • Creator

    Willa Holt (they/she) was a Creator for MTL Blog. They have edited for Ricochet Media and The McGill Daily, with leadership experience at the Canadian University Press. They have an undergraduate degree in anthropology with a minor in French translation, and they are the proud owner of a trilingual cat named Ivy.

A new travel warning was issued by the Canadian government & it may impact your summer trip

There are a few things the Canadian government wants you to know.

What's open and closed in Montreal on Victoria Day 2026 (Fête des Patriotes)

Many of Montreal's everyday services won't be running.

Quebecers who bought prepaid gift cards in the last 7 years could be owed up to $100

You now have a concrete deadline to file for your share of a $5.5 million class action settlement.

Canadians can FINALLY renew their passports online but there's a catch

The federal government opened the option to everyone last month.

Summer 2026 is expected to be hotter than usual across Canada — Here's what Quebec can expect

Southern Quebec as a whole is expected to see above-average temperatures.