Japanese culture festival to make Manchester debut

This year will be the first time the UK's Japanese cultural festival will be held outside London

The UK's biggest celebration of Japanese culture will come to Manchester for the first time later this week.

The three-day Hyper Japan exhibition will open at Manchester Central Convention Centre on Friday.

The annual event, which has been held in London for the last 15 years, has never been staged outside the capital before.

Organisers say it is a "full-scale festival where visitors can experience authentic Japanese culture - perfect for those looking for a fun autumn outing in the city".

What is Hyper Japan?

Visitors are promised to encounter authentic Japanese culture

Hyper Japan is a showcase of the country's modern culture and is promoted by the TOPPAN Group, one of the world's largest manufacturing conglomerates.

It promises to reveal the diversity of contemporary Japan, from manga and anime to music, fashion and food, from traditional culture to gaming, technology and tourism.

Last year the event attracted about 30,000 visitors over three days, of which 99% were non-Japanese people.

An online event four years ago brought about 200,000 people together from 139 countries.

When does it open and how much is it?

The event runs from 12:00 GMT to 20:00 on Friday and Saturday.

It will finish at 17:00 GMT on Sunday.

General admission day tickets start from £25.20 (children aged 10 and under can enter for free).

Visitors with disabilities (for example Blue Badge or Disability Card holders) who purchase a ticket can bring a support person for free by selecting the "Carer" option when booking.

Event staff may request proof of eligibility, such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or a Blue Badge.

Who is performing and what else is happening?

Organisers say the diversity of modern Japan will be showcased

On the main stage will be popular songwriter Yoh Kamiyama whose genre-blending pop sound and anime themes like Horimiya and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War have earned him widespread acclaim.

Renowned actor Aya Hirano, a voice actor and singer known for her role in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, will also feature.

Miyuna, a singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and anime theme songs like Black Clover and Fairy Tail, is also included in the line-up.

Visitors can also enjoy traditional Japanese performances including Shakuhachi (bamboo flute), Koto (string instrument), and Taiko drumming and live kendo demonstrations.

Cosplayers can take part in and community masquerades to showcase their creativity and passion.

People can participate in hands-on workshops featuring Japanese traditional crafts, including Shimenawa (Japanese wreath-making), Origami, Shodo (calligraphy), and Kintsugi (golden pottery repair technique).

Organisers say that whatever you make you can take home as a souvenir.

People can participate in a series of interactive workshops