Welcome to Japan Week 2026! This is our 10th annual JAPAN WEEK @ Bellevue College, presented by the BC Japanese Culture Exchange Club. Japan Week aims to introduce and nurture multiple facets of Japanese culture, including its rich history.
Weekdays (Oct. 5 – 9): For Bellevue College Students
Saturday Festival (Oct. 10): Open to the Public
Please support Japan Week!
- Donate Japanese items and Manga books to be sold at Japan Week’s Flea Market, Japan Market, and Manga Swap!
- Aug. 22 (Sat), 10am-2pm. Bellevue College, Parking Lot 10
- Aug. 23 (Sun), 1-5pm. Bellevue College, Parking Lot 10
- For manga donations, you’ll receive a Manga Swap Voucher redeemable Oct. 10 (Sat. Festival). We accept manga in Japanese, English, and other languages (no adult content).
- For monetary donations, please click here for more information.
- We are also looking to recruit 200 volunteers for the festival on Oct. 10 (Sat)! Click here for the Volunteer Registration Link.
This Year’s Highlights
New: This year, we will celebrate milestone anniversaries for several Japanese franchises! Special activities are planned for Saturday:
- Super Mario Brothers – 40th Anniversary in Global Markets
- Dragon Ball – 40th Anniversary of the TV Anime Series
- Pokémon – 30th Anniversary
New: Join film and game composer Kazuma Jinnouchi for “Behind the Music: Composing for Games, Films, and Anime.” Discover the creative process behind his music for acclaimed works including Suzume, Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Batman: Arkham Shadow, and much more.
New: Little Red Riding Hood: Another Story returns to JAPAN WEEK! This heartwarming musical features songs, dancing, laughter, and a fresh twist on the classic tale—all performed in Japanese. Performed in the Carlson Theater.
Returning: Experience the vibrant Mikoshi & Yosakoi Parade, featuring an energetic Yosakoi Dance by Mai Yuasa Suratos, the Pikake School children’s Omikoshi, and the Sakura-kai Mikoshi from Vancouver, Canada. Come join us and cheer them on!
Returning: Hiroshima Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibit – Join us for the 10th Japan Week @ Bellevue College and explore over 30 photos, data panels, and historical materials from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, highlighting the lasting impact of the atomic bombings and the importance of peace. Courtesy of Nuclear Weapons Awareness.
Returning: Five Contests with Prizes!
- Beyblade Contests (Rules: click here)
- Cosplay Contest
- Kendama Contest
- Anime Trivia Contest
- Paper Airplane Contest
Also enjoy a wide variety of cultural activities, demonstrations, and workshops! (subject to change)
- Calligraphy
- Flea Market, Japan Market, and Manga Swap
- Board game of Go
- Ikebana
- Japanese-American Incarceration Camps
- Karaoke
- Manga Drawing Workshop
- Martial Arts Demonstrations
- Onigiri Workshop
- Origami
- Sumi-e Workshop
- Taiko Performances
- Tea Ceremony
- Yukata Photo Booth
- And many more lectures and workshops!
This year’s kanji is 幸 (“sachi”), which means happiness.
It represents our hope for happiness in every moment we share together. It reflects our wish that everyone finds their own moments of joy and that, together, we can create an environment where everyone feels happy and supported.
All website managers are Bellevue College students.
2026 Website Managers:
Lukas Tomita (lead manager), Toshiki Loi, Hengmeng Ly, Joel Samuel
Past Website Managers:
2017 – Chitalu Mumba (original website developer)
2018 – Devon Rice, Meili Hsu
2019 – Alex Horn, Devon Rice, Meili Hsu
2020 – Alex Horn, Devon Rice, Carlos A. Márquez Arce
2021 – Nik Weisend, Mariko S. Borcan, Sascha West
2022 – Alex Richey, Mariko S. Borcan, Alexandria Terayama
2023 – Declan Boyle, Anhthien Nguyen, Danbi Kim, Ansh Chavda
2024 – Lukas Tomita (lead manager), Declan Boyle, Eitan Grebnev, Elsie Nakaone, Derek Nguyen
2025 – Lukas Tomita (lead manager), Bharat Biju, Toshiki Loi, Hengmeng Ly