ENTRY FREE
Japanese Beauty, Brought to Life in New Zealand
Experience. Connect. Discover Japan.
Saturday, 20th June 2026.
10:30am – 4:00pm
St. Peter's Anglican Church / Parish hall
22 Main South Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch
A New Hands-On Japanese Culture Event Comes to Christchurch
A new event where visitors can casually experience Japanese culture, “With Love, JAPAN,” will be held in Christchurch on Saturday, 20 June 2026.
The venue is St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Upper Riccarton. The event will run from 10:30am to 4:00pm, and entry is free.
Unlike events where visitors simply watch performances or shop at stalls, With Love, JAPAN is designed as a hands-on cultural experience. Visitors can take part in activities, talk with people, and enjoy Japanese culture, lifestyle, food, and crafts in a relaxed setting.
It looks like a great weekend outing for families, people who want to invite local friends interested in Japan, and anyone who enjoys Japanese food, crafts, and cultural experiences.
Free Discovery Zone
Inside the venue, there will be a Free Discovery Zone.
This area will include easy-to-join activities such as Japanese cultural experiences, origami, and yo-yo fishing. There will also be practical lifestyle consultation booths covering areas such as beauty, landscaping, and residential electrical services.
For example, visitors can receive advice on hair care and scalp checks, garden and exterior design, heat pumps, solar power, and electrical safety in older homes. While children enjoy cultural activities, adults can also get useful advice for everyday life in New Zealand.
Small-group workshops live from Japan
One of the highlights of the event is the interactive workshop series called “Live from Japan.”
Specialists based in Japan will connect online with the Christchurch venue to offer small-group sessions in five areas: ninja, Japanese dance, tea ceremony, calligraphy, and aikido.
Each session runs for 25 minutes and is limited to five participants. Advance booking and a participation fee are required. Because the sessions are small, participants can do more than just watch; they can ask questions, check their movements, and learn interactively.
Workshop participants will also receive a free bonus experience: trying on a yukata or kimono and taking photos.
Ninja, Tea ceremony, Calligraphy, Japanese dance, and Aikido
The workshops are designed to be beginner-friendly.
In the ninja workshop, participants can experience the world of ninja through kuji hand movements and basic sword movements. It is suitable for ages six and up, including adults.
In the Japanese dance workshop, participants will learn movements and expressions using a folding fan, giving them a chance to experience traditional Japanese gestures.
The tea ceremony workshop allows participants to whisk matcha using a chasen. It is suited to people who want a calm, mindful cultural experience.
In the calligraphy workshop, participants can enjoy a focused moment by learning brush techniques and writing kanji.
Aikido offers a physical cultural experience focused not on fighting, but on posture, breathing, and the harmony of energy.
Advance booking is recommended, as each session is limited to five participants.
Japanese food, matcha sweets, crafts, and healing booths
The event will also feature booths offering Japanese food, matcha sweets, shiatsu, tsumami zaiku, art, bonsai, and more.
Even visitors who do not join a workshop can enjoy food, browse crafts, and stop by booths that interest them. The event is suitable for both a short visit and a longer stay.
For people with Japanese roots, it may bring a sense of nostalgia. For those experiencing Japanese culture for the first time, it is likely to offer new discoveries.
A June weekend outing to experience Japan
With Love, JAPAN offers both free-entry areas and paid small-group workshops, making it an event that a wide range of ages can enjoy.
It is a good option for families who want their children to experience Japanese culture, friends who want to enjoy Japanese food and matcha sweets, and anyone who wants to explore traditional Japanese culture in a little more depth.
Because workshop spaces are limited, visitors interested in specific sessions should check the official website and book in advance.
With Love, Japan
Saturday, 20th June 2026
10:30am – 4:00pm
St Peter’s Anglican Church / Parish Hall
22 Main South rd, Upper Riccarton
*ENTRY FREE
Contact Us
event@nzdaisuki-achievers.com
