Haru-Matsuri - Spring Festival

Japanese Culture in Touraine

Haru-Matsuri (literally "spring festival" in Japanese) is an annual festival dedicated to Japanese culture, organized by the association Amitié Saint-Cyr Japon in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire. Held at the Dojo Konan, 51 rue de la Gaudinière, this event offers a true immersion into Japanese culture in the heart of Touraine, celebrating the bonds of friendship and exchange between France and Japan.

A Rich Program of Discoveries

Haru-Matsuri offers a full day of activities and discoveries:

• Traditional Music Concerts: performances of wadaiko (Japanese drums) and koto (Japanese harp), offering an enchanting sound experience.
• Martial Arts Demonstrations: karate, judo, aikido, and other martial disciplines presented by practitioners and masters.
• Japanese Dance Workshops: introduction to traditional Japanese dances.
• Ikebana Workshop: the Japanese art of floral arrangement, discovery and practice of this ancestral art of floral composition.
• Calligraphy Workshop: introduction to Japanese brush writing, with the possibility of taking your creation home.
• Japanese Language Class: discovery of the basics of the Japanese language.
• Creative Workshops for Children: origami, manga drawing, and fun activities on the theme of Japan.

Japanese Gastronomy and Crafts

The festival also offers an authentic culinary experience with a food area offering Japanese specialties prepared on-site:

• Onigiri: rice balls filled with seaweed and salmon.
• Taiyaki: fish-shaped cakes filled with red bean paste.
• Okonomiyaki: Japanese savory pancakes.
• Yakisoba: stir-fried noodles with vegetables and meat.

Artisans present and sell traditional Japanese items: ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and decorative objects inspired by Japanese craftsmanship.

A Bridge Between Touraine and Japan

The association Amitié Saint-Cyr Japon organizes this festival to promote cultural exchange between Touraine and Japan. Beyond the festival, the association offers Japanese language classes, cultural workshops, and sharing moments around Japanese culture throughout the year. Haru-Matsuri is open to everyone, from seasoned Japanophiles to the simply curious, in a spirit of discovery and conviviality.