Japanese Culture in Dusseldorf

The city of Dusseldorf is home to the largest Japanese population in Germany thanks to industrial links that started after World War II.

Today the city is home to around 11,000 Japanese people, and visitors will notice Japanese restaurants, schools, gardens and bookshops dotted around. Known as the Japanese capital on the Rhine, Dusseldorf is home to Japan Day, the largest celebration of Japanese culture in Germany.

Each year in May or June, there are hundreds of events around the city as part of a program that includes samurai presentations, sake tastings and kimono fittings. There are traditional performances and hundreds of people in Japanese dress. It’s a great celebration of Japanese culture and the links between the two nations, plus it makes for a great event for visiting tourists.

Time your visit for the festival and you will be able to watch the fireworks display, which uses pyrotechnics flown in from Japan. Even if you’re not in town around Japan Day, you can explore the many restaurants and cultural centers that form part of a fascinating historic bond between Germany and Japan. Try Yabase, Kushi-Tei or Nagaya for a taste of the food and get to know a little more about this fascinating community.