A Matsuri in the Heart of Liverpool
By Angela Davies and Samuel Rosen
On 28 June, Sefton Park’s iconic Palm House was transformed into a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture as the annual Summer Matsuri returned to Liverpool. Hosted by JETAA North West, and the Japan Society North West the festival brought together in excess of 10,500 visitors in and around the Victorian glasshouse’s magnificent dome.
Throughout the day there were taiko drummers, martial arts demonstrations, kimono display for children and both koto and samisen musicians. There was, of course, calligraphy and origami as well as ikebana flower arranging. Food stalls served authentic Japanese cuisine, and hands-on activities ensured visitors could immerse themselves in both ancient traditions and contemporary Japanese culture. One of the newest highlights was Sakurako Tanaka’s portrayal of Noh drama, in an emotional and moving way that made it accessible to everyone.
It was delightful to welcome Minister Shuji Maeda and some Embassy colleagues as well as the Lord Mayor and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant.
A thank you message from Samual Rosen, ex-JET and organiser of the Liverpool Matsuri:
“Dear VIP Guests, Exhibitors, Performers, Vendors and Volunteers,
Taihen otsukaresama deshita!
Thank you all for your time, your dedication, your commitment and your patience in the run up to the Matsuri.
As the dust settles (quite literally!) on what was a truly exciting, inspiring and successful day, you can all reflect on the sheer scale of what we achieved together. By the official count, we were able to bring a little piece of Japan to an astonishing 10,519 visitors. This is not only a record for the Matsuri, but a tremendous turn out for the Palm House and, to my mind at least, an unprecedented achievement. 👘✨🎉🍙🎌
For me, however, it is not really about the numbers. If even 1% of those who came along left feeling inspired to learn a little bit more about Japan, to take up a new Japan-related hobby, to visit Japan or to apply for the JET Programme, then we have made a lasting impact, and that for me is what constitutes true success.
With that in mind, I would like to convey my sincere thanks to:
Our VIPs who so generously gave up their valuable time and made such inspiring speeches
Our performers who spend countless hours practicing and honing their skills to put on such amazing demonstrations
The Palm House for providing us with such a beautiful and inspiring venue
Our store holders who transported all their equipment and did their best to keep the crowds of visitors fed and happy
Our sponsors without whose funding the event could not have gone ahead
Our dedicated team of volunteers who kept everything moving behind the scenes in complex and sometimes challenging circumstances
And finally to Angela Davies, my mum, who worked tirelessly with me over many months to help put the whole event together
This was a collective effort and I am grateful to every single person involved who made this happen. Once again, my sincere, heartfelt thanks to every single one of you.
Thank you for making the 2026 Matsuri so special.”
