Otaku World’s Japan Fest returns to Buxton for a fourth edition on 27 September, filling Pavilion Gardens with a family-sized “day in Japan”: live stage performances, hands-on craft activities, Japanese food and tea, and a cosplay parade.
Programme highlights
The confirmed live stage includes MION, Meian Maid Café, Gaku Shi Juku Kendo Kai, Leicester Taiko, Sovereign Idol Group, koto player Aki Kitagawa, LeLe, and DJ Manimal with Cerisina’s Hatsune Miku tribute. Away from the stage there are shogi games, fox-mask painting, kimono try-ons, origami, calligraphy (£1–£3 per activity) and tea tasting.
Food and drink come from Food of Japan and OISHI street food, with premium tea also on site. The Palace Hotel Buxton & Spa offers discounted rooms for the weekend with code JFEST2026.
Tickets and practicalities
Advance tickets run from free up to £11.92 including booking fee, with group tickets at £42.28; booking is via Eventbrite or TicketSource. The event runs 11:00–17:00 and is all ages. Refunds are available up to seven days before the event. Pavilion Gardens parking is pay-and-display, accepts coins and PayByPhone, and has 199 spaces including disabled bays; the car-park entrance is SK17 9AR and may be busy. Buxton station is approximately a 5–10 minute walk away.
Cover image
Original AI-generated thematic illustration. It does not depict the event.