HYPER JAPAN, the UK’s leading festival of Japanese culture, is heading to Manchester for the first time this autumn, bringing three days of music, food, fashion, and anime to the city centre.
Taking place at Manchester Central from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 November 2025, the event marks the first time the long-running London festival has ventured north.
More than 180 exhibitors will take part in the ‘HYPER Market’, featuring household names like FujiFilm and Bandai Namco alongside independent artists and small businesses selling handmade crafts, imported products, and Japanese-inspired gifts.
Fans can explore dedicated zones including the ‘HYPER JAPAN Shop’, packed with limited-edition anime goods, authentic figures and Japan’s famous gachapon capsule machines.
The Manga Booth will offer free reading from major publishers Shueisha, Tokuma Shoten, and KADOKAWA, while other highlights include a My Melody meet and greet, a VTuber concert in the VOCAFEST dark room, and a 30th anniversary Evangelion exhibition.
There’ll also be a striking Itasha display – cars decorated with anime artwork – and a chance to learn Japan’s ancient strategy game Go in free workshops.
The festival’s food court will celebrate Japanese cuisine with dishes like ramen, takoyaki, karaage, onigiri and matcha desserts. Visitors can also sample Japanese craft coffee, try a matcha latte, or book into the ‘Sake Experience’ – a ticketed tasting event featuring leading brands including Suntory and Choya.
Live music and stage performances will run throughout the weekend. Yoh Kamiyama, known for his songs on Horimiya and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, heads the bill alongside actor and voice artist Aya Hirano (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Death Note), and singer-songwriter Miyuna (Black Clover, Fairy Tail). Traditional Japanese performances will include taiko drumming, shakuhachi flute and koto, while cosplayers can take part in the Cosplay and Community Masquerades.
Hands-on workshops will give visitors the chance to learn crafts such as origami, shodo calligraphy, kintsugi (golden pottery repair) and shimenawa wreath-making, with participants able to take home their creations.
Tickets are on sale now, starting from £25.20. Children under 10 go free, and free carer and group discounts are available.
HYPER JAPAN Manchester runs from 12pm–8pm on Friday 14 November, 10am–8pm on Saturday 15 November, and 10am–5pm on Sunday 16 November at Manchester Central.
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