A free Japanese culture festival, With Love, JAPAN, will be held at Panmure Community Hall, 7–13 Pilkington Road, on Saturday 21 November 2026 from 10am to 1pm, organisers say. The event page says it is organised by Sekaidaisuki.com and run by NZdaisuki Achievers.
General entry is free and doesn't need booking. Some workshops and activities cost extra.
Workshops
Two small workshops on the hall stage need booking in advance, each limited to eight people and lasting about 45 minutes.
The ikebana flower-arranging session starts at 10.10am and costs NZ$40 plus GST. It is for ages 12 and over, flowers are included and participants take their arrangement home. Instructor Tomoko Hirano leads it, according to the booking page, which showed five of eight places left on 1 November.
The calligraphy session starts at 12.10pm and costs NZ$20 plus GST, for ages 8 and up. Instructor Kana Oyama helps participants write their name in kanji or a favourite word on a Japanese uchiwa fan to take home. The organiser says kanji for names are agreed in advance.
A matcha experience, where visitors whisk their own bowl with a bamboo whisk, is paid for on the day with no booking.
For children
The organiser lists yo-yo fishing, a Japanese festival game, along with uchiwa fan decorating and origami. Some children's activities have a small fee.
Food and stalls
There will be Japanese food and a market with handmade items and Japanese-inspired products.
Who can come
The event is aimed at families and anyone curious about Japan. The organiser says Japanese language skills aren't needed.
Booking
Workshop places are booked on the NZdaisuki Achievers website. Questions can go to the organiser at with.love.japan.chch@gmail.com.
Sources
- NZdaisuki Achievers, "With Love, JAPAN Auckland": https://nzdaisuki-achievers.com/with-love-japan-akl/
- NZdaisuki Achievers, Ikebana booking page: https://nzdaisuki-achievers.com/product/japanese-flower-arranging/
- NZdaisuki Achievers, Calligraphy booking page: https://nzdaisuki-achievers.com/product/1300-calligraph/
