Japan Pop Culture Festival Utrecht 2027 dates and info

What is Japan Pop Culture Festival?

Japan Pop Culture Festival is a two-day festival in Utrecht that puts modern Japan and traditional Japan side by side: anime and manga, gaming, cosplay, Pokémon and other trading cards, Japanese street food, crafts and culture.

The organisers say it is meant for everyone who is curious about Japan, not only hardcore anime fans. 2027 is the first edition, and they say they choose exhibitors and food stalls carefully rather than filling every square metre.

When is it?

The festival is on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May 2027. The doors open to regular visitors at 11:00 and the festival closes at 17:00 on both days.

VIP visitors get in one hour earlier, from 10:00, to browse and shop while it is still quiet.

Where is it?

The festival is in the Werkspoorkathedraal, Tractieweg 41 in Utrecht. The hall was built in 1960 as an assembly hall for the engineering company Werkspoor, was restored in 2014 and 2015, and has been used for events since 2016.

The organisers describe it as a high, light industrial space with a lot of character, which they dress with lanterns, bamboo and cherry blossom. They mention more than 6,000 m² of space, with the food court outside.

What can you see, eat and buy?

Anime and manga: shops with manga, figures, plushies and other merchandise, plus independent artists with illustrations, prints, stickers and handmade items.

Gaming: retro and modern games you can play yourself, a Japanese arcade corner and vendors selling games, consoles and imports.

Pokémon and other Japanese trading card games, such as One Piece and Dragon Ball: sellers with cards and collectibles, and room to trade. The organisers invite you to bring your own cards.

Culture and tradition: the organisers mention calligraphy, origami, traditional clothing, tea, bonsai, ceramics and music. The full programme will follow.

Food and drink: a food court with mostly freshly prepared dishes such as ramen, gyoza, yakitori, karaage, sushi, okonomiyaki and Japanese curry, plus matcha, mochi, bubble tea and sweets. The festival will announce the exact dishes later.

Tickets and getting there

Tickets are sold through the festival's website, with a separate ticket for each day: €14.95 for a regular ticket and €19.95 for VIP on Saturday or on Sunday, €9.95 for children from 5 to 12 and free for children under 5.

The Werkspoorkathedraal can be reached by car, bike and public transport. The organisers say it can get busy around the venue and are still preparing a parking plan, directions for public transport and bicycle parking; they will publish them on the visit page before the festival. They advise travelling together or by public transport if you can.

Coming from further away? The organisers point to the hotels around Utrecht Centraal and in the Werkspoorkwartier and say hotel tips will follow.