Over 50,000 attendees. Two days. One unforgettable celebration.
On May 10–11, 2025, the Quirino Grandstand transformed into a celebration of everything Japan — from music, fashion, and food to gaming, lifestyle, and drift cars. Matsuri Manila 2025 wasn’t just an event — it was the first full-scale Japanese culture festival of its kind in the country, and it was electric. 🇯🇵✨
Organized by Matsuri Project PH and proudly supported by The Japan Foundation, the matsuri gave fans of all ages and backgrounds a taste of Japan in the heart of Manila — with over 100 booths, 100 Exhibitors + Artist Alley, and 20 Sponsors.
☀️ From Heat to Hype: The Crowd Showed Up!
- Day 1: 15,000 people braved the heat for first dibs on food, merch, and games
- Day 2: 35,000 more came to experience the full-blown stage shows, tournaments, and cultural booths
From cosplay squads and families to music lovers and collectors — the whole place felt like a giant summer festival straight out of an anime.
🎤 A Stage That Brought Worlds Together
Matsuri Manila’s stage had non-stop performances, fusing J-pop, anime hits, DJ sets, and even comedy!
🌟 International Highlights:
- Maki Otsuki (Headliner) — iconic vocals from One Piece
- Diana Garnet — anime nostalgia in full power
- FuMi & SKYGARDEN — idol energy & sleek choreography
- 100 Company’s lineup:
- Gonzo the Tambourine Master
- Muramura Tamura (comedy!)
- Enishi
- The Wannabes
- Gonzo the Tambourine Master
💖 Local J-Culture Talents:
- Cess, FESTA!, Txu Xii, W-Uni
- DJs: NicDroid, Sukima Altera, Bandit, Sigrid
Every act — from tambourines to turbo bass drops — had the crowd dancing, laughing, and singing.
👘 Culture Around Every Corner
More than a concert, Matsuri was a Japanese cultural immersion. Festival goers got to experience:
- A dazzling Kimono Fashion Show, mixing elegance with street style
- Calligraphy, origami, and yukata dressing booths
- A packed Japanese Expo Zone filled with both traditional and modern experiences
Whether you were a lifelong fan or just curious, there was something to fall in love with.
🍱 Food, Flavors, and Fan Favorites
From sizzling takoyaki to soft fuwa-fuwa pastries, the Japanese Food Alley was a crowd favorite all weekend long. Guests got to try:
- Yakisoba, okonomiyaki, and karaage
- Bento boxes and matcha desserts
- Ramune soda and ITO EN tea
- Plus: authentic Japanese treats from brands like Izaka-Ya, Fuwa Fuwa, and Ito En
🎮 Gaming & Hobby Heaven
Gamers and collectors found their slice of paradise with:
🌀 Beyblade X Tournament
🃏 TCG Tournaments for Vanguard, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and One Piece
🎮 Console zones with rhythm, fighting, and retro games
🧩 Hobby booths for figure collectors, anime merch lovers, and gachapon hunters
This was the perfect hangout for every otaku, gamer, and hobbyist.
🚗 Drift, Style & Street Scene
Thanks to a high-energy partnership with Illest Philippines, the Drift Show turned heads and brought the Daikoku Street energy right to Manila. Custom cars, streetwear booths, and sleek aesthetics gave the event a stylish street festival vibe.
🤝 Powered by Passionate Sponsors
What made Matsuri Manila truly shine was the incredible community of sponsors who shared one goal: to celebrate and elevate Japanese culture in the Philippines.
From lifestyle and fashion brands to travel, food, tech, and entertainment, these partners helped create an immersive world where guests could eat, play, shop, and explore.
🎯 Notable Sponsors Included:
- JINS, Beauty Lab, Fujimak, Gank, Golfin
- Universal Studios Japan, ZIPAIR, Toyota, Hotel Okura, Me Certs, Eurotel
- Sandaya Yakiniku, Jade Japan Inc., Izaka-Ya, Fuwa Fuwa, ITO EN
- GCash, PLDT, Cosplay Token, YoUnite Productions
Together, these brands offered interactive booths, exclusive promos, cultural showcases, and giveaways that elevated the festival from fun to unforgettable.
🎉 And of course, The Japan Foundation, as the official event partner, ensured that the heart of the event stayed true to the spirit of Japanese tradition, innovation, and community.
💮 Growing Pains, But Huge Potential
Organizers admit there’s still room to improve — from crowd flow to heat management — but with the overwhelmingly positive response, it’s clear that Matsuri Manila has a bright future.
More booths. More guests. More Japan.
🌸 Arigatou, Philippines — See You at the Next Matsuri!
Whether you came for the food, the shows, the tournaments, or just the vibe — Matsuri Manila 2025 made history as the first true Japanese summer festival in the city.
Here’s to bringing back the matsuri magic even bigger and better next year.
