In May, Kodo’s Eiichi Saito and Taiyo Onoda are heading to Europe to appear at Foyle Obon, Northern Ireland’s only Japanese summer festival. If you’re in or near Derry-Londonderry, we hope you’ll join the festivities.
From the organizers: “This annual event is a joyful celebration of family, friendship, and community inspired by the Obon tradition. Held in The Playtrail – an accessible, cross-community space – the festival brings people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities together to enjoy an unforgettable day filled with Japanese food stalls, kakigori shaved ice, traditional games, quiz trails, arts and crafts, and high-energy performances. With taiko drumming, bon odori dance, and cultural workshops, it’s a unique opportunity to experience the richness of Japanese culture in Derry-Londonderry. Rooted in values of inclusion and reconciliation, the event is designed to be safe, accessible, and joyful for everyone. It also offers meaningful chances for local outreach participants to perform or volunteer, making it a true celebration of connection, creativity, and cultural exchange. Come for the drums, stay for the dancing—leave with a little more joy and a lot more connection!”

* Eiichi Saito will be performing in place of the originally scheduled Mitsuru Ishizuka.

Event Website

Foyle Obon Festival 2025

May 24 (Sat), 2025 The Playtrail, Derry/L’Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Doors Open:

2:00pm

Start:

2:00pm

Tickets:

£10
(Free for children under 3 years old.)

Ticket Availability:

Now on sale

Ticket Outlet:

Tickets available online via Eventbrite
(Not available to purchase at gate)

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/foyle-obon-festival-2025-tickets-1299189874889?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Event URL:

Festival

Venue Address:

15 Racecourse Road, Derry/L’Derry, BT47 6AL Northern Ireland, UK

Venue Website:

https://libertyconsortium.org.uk/information/how-to-find-us

Accessibility Info:

The venue is wheelchair accessible.
Accessible toilets are available on-site.
Trained stewards and accessibility volunteers will be present throughout the event.
Supervised drop-off point available for elderly or mobility-restricted guests.

Inquiries:

Email: info(at)foyleobon.com

Please change (at) to @.