Forget for a moment the classic fir tree and the usual downtown illuminations. This year, the magic of the Roman festivities blends with the elegance and energy of the Rising Sun. In fact, Rome is ready to host the event you’ve been waiting for if you love Japanese culture: Japan Days.
This is not just a fair, but a real festival of the Orient that will transform the Capannelle Hippodrome into a vibrant and colorful district of Tokyo.
The December 13 and 14, 2025 edition will be the last chance of the year to immerse yourself in this world, a free admission event that promises to close out 2025 with fireworks.
If you are looking for an alternative, fun and culturally stimulating way to spend your pre-Christmas weekend, this is the place to be.
A magical Christmas edition and a “Treasure Hunt”
Japan Days goes red to celebrate Christmas in a unique spirit, suspended between ancient Eastern traditions and modern pop culture. The atmosphere will be that of great bargains, but with an absolute novelty that will make your shopping even more interactive and fun.
Just in this edition debuts the Stamp Rally – Christmas Edition, a real Christmas treasure hunt to be experienced inside the magical Market Area.
Participating is super easy and adds a dash of challenge to your visit: all you have to do is shop at participating booths to collect special stamps that will allow you to win fantastic Pokémon-themed prizes.
All the more reason to explore every corner of the market and unearth the perfect gift.
Shopping among kimonos and pop culture: more than 100 exhibitors
The beating heart of the Japan Days for Christmas event will undoubtedly be the Market Area, which for this special edition will host more than 100 exhibitors from all over Italy.
You will be able to touch the fine silk of vintage kimonos and haori, admire the delicacy of traditional ceramics or get lost among colorful gadgets, action figures and nerdy collectibles.
It’s the perfect place to find that “different-than-usual” Christmas gift, whether it’s a handmade kawaii craft item or a unique piece of Japanese design that you’ve been looking for a long time.
The “Human Library” and creative workshops
The real gem of this edition of Japan Days is an experience that will touch the strings of your soul: the Human Library. In perfect keeping with the Christmas spirit and the Japanese concept of wakachiau (sharing emotions), on Saturday afternoon you will be able to “borrow” a person instead of a book.
Thanks to mindfulness coach Cosimo Campidoglio, you will have the opportunity to hear real-life stories told by protagonists, a rare opportunity to break down prejudices and make deep human connections.
But Japan Days is not just a place to shop, it is also a space to do and share. The calendar of workshops is dense and designed to get you personally involved.
If you love crafting you will be able to:
- try your hand at the floral art of Ikebana,
- discover the secrets of Bonsai trees,
- learn Shodo calligraphy or Watoji binding.
There will be no shortage of Japanese language classes, manga drawing sessions and the art of Sashiko embroidery.
The Taste of Japan: Street Food and Starred Show Cooking.
Get ready for a sensory journey because the Japan Days Food Area is a veritable paradise for gourmands, structured like a traditional Matsuri, the Japanese neighborhood festivals.
All you have to do is follow the scent to find stuffed onigiri, scorching takoyaki, steaming ramen, creamy Japanese curry (karē), and iconic desserts like dorayaki and mochi.
You’ll even find a Konbini, the typical convenience store open h24, and guided sake and matcha tea tastings.
But the food will also be entertainment. During the weekend you’ll be able to watch unmissable live cooking:
- Saturday food creator Stefano Guglielmetti (AmicoJeko) will reveal the secrets of shogayaki (ginger pork),
- on Sunday, Annalena De Bortoli will prepareonigirazu and demonstrate the art of Moritsuke plating.
Special guests, Cosplay and Shows.
The Japan Days stage will feature big names and evocative performances. Celebrated writer Licia Troisi will meet fans Sunday afternoon to sign copies of her latest book Saving Lucca, while illustrator Luciana Di Stefano will take you into the ironic world of The Little Trashmaid.
Live entertainment will range from music to performing arts: you can thrill to Studio Ghibli arias sung by soprano Erika Nakanishi, laugh with Samurai Comedy Theater (Kyogen), and admire performances by the Cosplay Show.
If you are looking for a moment of relaxation or action, the Wellness Area will offer Shiatsu massages, while the Tatami Area will host demonstrations of martial arts such as Jujitsu and Iaido.
Japan Days: an opportunity to delve into Japanese culture in Rome
Japan Days is a cultural event born from the desire to unite Rome and Tokyo.
Since 2007 it has become the reference festival for J-Culture in Italy, an event designed to be inclusive and accessible.
Here are all the details about the Christmas edition:
- When: Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025.
- Where: Ippodromo Capannelle, Via Appia Nuova 1245, Rome.
- Admission: Free.
The Hippodrome is easily accessible by public transportation (Metro A or regional train).
To book workshops or see exact show times, your point of reference is the official website japandays.it.
Don’t miss the chance to experience a different Christmas, suspended between the Eternal City and the Rising Sun.