Japan Tours Festival
The largest festival dedicated to Japan and pop culture in Centre-Val de Loire
About Japan Tours
Eleven Years of Japanese Culture in Tours
Created in 2015, the Japan Tours Festival has become in a decade the largest festival dedicated to Japan and pop culture in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Every year in late June or early July, the Parc des Expositions de Tours transforms into a true Japanese district, welcoming over 25,000 visitors over three days.
A Rich and Eclectic Program
The Japan Tours Festival covers all aspects of Japanese and geek culture. The Tradition area highlights traditional Japanese arts: calligraphy, origami, ikebana, tea ceremony, martial arts, and Japanese cuisine. The Manga area hosts authors, publishers, and illustrators for signing sessions and conferences. The Cosplay area offers contests, costume-making workshops, and photo shoots. The Gaming and E-sport areas bring together consoles, arcade machines, tournaments, and competitions.
Prestigious Guests
Each edition welcomes guests from Japan and around the world: mangakas, anime directors, voice actors, musicians, martial artists, and pop culture personalities. Signing sessions, conferences, and masterclasses allow fans to meet their favorite artists in a privileged setting.
The French Cosplay Cup
The festival is the setting for the French Cosplay Cup, whose grand final annually brings together dozens of cosplayers from all over France. The best candidates present their costumes and performances on the main stage before a jury of experts and several thousand spectators.
Gastronomy and Japanese Atmosphere
The catering area offers a culinary immersion in Japan: ramen, takoyaki, onigiri, gyoza, mochi, taiyaki, and Japanese drinks. Merchant stands offer manga, figurines, clothing, accessories, and merchandise from Japanese pop culture. The atmosphere is festive and colorful, with cosplayers strolling through the aisles and J-pop and J-rock music playing in the background.
Japan Tours — edition 2026
11th edition of the Japan Tours Festival, from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Parc Expo de Tours. Three days dedicated to Japanese culture and pop culture: manga, cosplay, gaming, e-sport, Japanese traditions, and Japanese gastronomy. The detailed program and guests will be announced progressively on the official website.
11th Edition — July 3, 4, and 5, 2026
The Japan Tours Festival returns for its 11th edition from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, 2026 at Parc Expo de Tours. This new edition comes with a new visual identity unveiled by the organization in spring 2026.
Program
As every year, the event covers all aspects of Japanese and geek culture: tradition, manga, cosplay, gaming, e-sport, comics, board games, concerts, and prestigious guests. The 2025 edition gathered over 25,700 visitors, 187 guests, and 357 exhibitors over three days.
French Cosplay Cup
One of the anticipated highlights of the 2026 edition is the Grand Final of Season 5 of the French Cosplay Cup, organized by the festival. 29 candidates selected from all over France will compete on the main stage, in front of an exceptional jury and approximately 6,000 spectators.
Detailed Program
At the time of publication, the complete list of guests (mangakas, voice actors, illustrators, musical artists) and the hour-by-hour program have not yet been published. They will be gradually revealed on the official website and the festival's social media in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights Japan Tours 2026
- 11th edition — new visual identity 2026
- 3 days at Parc Expo de Tours (Avenue Camille Chautemps)
- Final of Season 5 of the French Cosplay Cup (29 candidates, exceptional jury)
- Over 25,000 visitors expected, 100+ exhibitors
- Tradition, manga, cosplay, gaming, e-sport, comics, concerts
- 1-day pass from 17 € in pre-sale, 3-day pass from 40 €
- Free entry for children under 8, family pass available
Prices Japan Tours 2026
Practical information — Japan Tours
Practical Information
Access
The Parc Expo de Tours is located on Avenue Camille Chautemps, near the city center.
- By bus: Fil Bleu shuttle 83 from Tours train station; lines 3a, 3b, 4, and 16.
- By car: A10 motorway exit 22 (Saint-Avertin) from Paris/Le Mans or exit 21 (Tours Centre) from Poitiers/Bordeaux/Angers/Nantes. Free parking on Avenue Jacques Duclos and Avenue Camille Chautemps.
- By train: Tours train station served by TGV (55 min from Paris, 1h40 from Bordeaux), then bus.
- By bike: protected cycle paths and secure parking on site.
Hours (2026 edition)
- Friday, July 3: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Saturday, July 4: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Sunday, July 5: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Early entry at 9 AM (VIP pass) or 9:30 AM (other pre-sale tickets)
Accessibility
The festival is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility (priority access lines, ramps, adapted restrooms).
Contact
Email: [email protected] — Official website: japantoursfestival.com
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Where does it take place — Japan Tours
Parc des Expositions de Tours
Avenue Camille Chautemps, 37000 Tours