.png)
Hyper Japan 2026: Everything You Need to Know About the UK's Biggest Japanese Culture Festival
- NOVA ESEA
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
The UK's largest Japanese culture festival is back at Olympia London from 24 to 26 July 2026, and this year's edition is its biggest yet. Over 530 exhibitors, 30,000 expected visitors, and a lineup that stretches from J-rock headliners to wagashi-making workshops. Whether you've been going for years or you've never set foot inside, here's what to expect.
What Is Hyper Japan?
Hyper Japan has been running since 2010, making this its sixteenth year. What started as a niche convention for anime and manga fans has expanded into a full-scale celebration of Japanese culture: food, fashion, music, gaming, traditional crafts, martial arts, and more. Since 2014, the festival has run twice a year, with a summer edition in July and a Christmas market in November. The summer festival at Olympia is the main event.
It's not just for the anime crowd. The mix has broadened over the years to include people who come for the food stalls alone, parents bringing kids to try shogi and calligraphy, cosplayers who've spent months building their outfits, and anyone curious about Japanese culture beyond what they can find on a high street.
Who's Performing?
The main stage lineup this year leans into variety.
QUEEN BEE headline — the genre-bending Tokyo band known for their explosive live energy and anime soundtrack credits. If you've watched Chainsaw Man or Dororo, you've heard their music.
avantgardey, the dance group choreographed by akane, bring their viral, perfectly synchronised routines to the stage. They've racked up over five million followers across social media and reached the finals of America's Got Talent in 2023.
Eir Aoi performs too — a singer best known for anime theme songs (Fate/Zero, Sword Art Online, Kill la Kill) and a voice that fills rooms. THE SIXTH LIE, who recorded the ending theme for Golden Kamuy twice, bring a heavier, alt-rock energy. And acoustic guitarist UPIKO, known for her single Crow, rounds out the bill with something quieter.
There's also a virtual stage this year, featuring over 30 VTubers and virtual artist IA.
📩 Enjoying this guide? Get NOVA ESEA’s free fortnightly email — the best ESEA food, events and culture in London, straight to your inbox. Subscribe →
What to Eat
The food hall is half the reason people go, and the 2026 lineup covers everything from quick bites to proper sit-down plates. Expect freshly made donburi, onigiri, wagyu skewers, yakisoba, karaage, and omurice, plus sweet options like mochi, bubble waffles, and bubble tea.
New this year: a dedicated izakaya-style drinking area. The Suntory Toki Highball Bar and -196 bar bring a slice of Japanese drinking culture to Olympia, with Suntory whisky highballs and fruity -196 drinks on tap. If you've been to an izakaya in Tokyo, the vibe will feel familiar.
Workshops, Gaming, and Cosplay
The workshop programme runs all three days, with hands-on sessions in traditional Japanese confectionery (nerikiri wagashi), calligraphy, shogi, Beyblade, martial arts, and more. Some are free, some ticketed.
New for 2026 is a dedicated indie gaming area, where Japanese indie developers showcase upcoming titles. If you're tired of the same AAA releases, this is worth a visit.
Cosplay is a big part of the atmosphere. Costume and Play run the cosplay experience across the weekend, including a fashion show and masquerade contest on both Saturday and Sunday. Judging weighs craftsmanship at 45%, performance at 45%, and character concept at 10%. You don't need to compete to dress up, and you'll see everything from studio-quality armour builds to cardboard-and-hot-glue creations.
The Market
Over 530 exhibitors make up the Hyper Japan Market, and this is where you'll find things you can't easily get elsewhere in the UK: traditional Japanese tableware, incense, artisan ceramics, anime figures, handmade accessories, Japanese stationery, and fashion pieces from independent designers. It's big enough to spend a full day browsing.
Practical Info
📅 Dates: 24–26 July 2026
Friday 24 July: 12:00–20:00
Saturday 25 July: 10:00–20:00
Sunday 26 July: 10:00–17:00
📍 Location: Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX
🎫 Tickets: General admission day tickets from £28.35. Multi-day and Tomodachi Group Bundles (5 tickets at a discount) also available. Children 10 and under go free with a full-price adult ticket (up to 3 children per adult).
Have you been to Hyper Japan before, or is this your first year? Tell us what you're most excited about 👇
Enjoyed this? Check out More ESEA food → and this month's events →
Comments