Name: Main Matsuri – Japan Festival Offenbach 2026
Start: 2026-08-14T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-16T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Büsingpark Offenbach

Main Matsuri

About Main Matsuri

Three days of Japan Festival in Büsingpark Offenbach: From August 14th to 16th, 2026, the 7th Main Matsuri invites you to experience Japanese culture – stage shows, manga and cosplay workshops, tea ceremony, Ikebana, kimono sales, cosplay contests, and Japanese gastronomy. Patronage: Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke. 7th edition of the largest Japan festival in the Rhine-Main region in Büsingpark Offenbach. Stage shows with Taiko drums and J-Pop, two cosplay contests, workshops for manga and cosplay, tea ceremony, Ikebana, kimono sales, and Japanese gastronomy. Patron: Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke.

Dates 14 Aug — 16 Aug 2026

Venue Offenbach am Main (06413)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Main Matsuri — edition 2026

Tickets →

7th Main Matsuri from August 14–16, 2026, in Büsingpark Offenbach. Program: Stage shows (Taiko, J-Pop, traditional dances), two cosplay contests, manga workshops, tea ceremony, Ikebana, calligraphy. Sales area with kimonos, jewelry, manga, anime merchandise. Gastronomy: Ramen, sushi, takoyaki, onigiri, mochi, sake.

Patron: Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke. Organizers: Japanese Cultural and Language Center + Hojinkai.

Highlights Main Matsuri 2026

7th edition of the largest Japan event in the Rhine-Main region
Two cosplay contests over the weekend
Taiko drums and J-Pop bands on the main stage
Tea ceremony, Ikebana, calligraphy
Awarded by the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2024

Programme Main Matsuri 2026

Friday, August 14, 2026 — Opening

Opening ceremony in Büsingpark
First stage shows with Taiko drums
Sales area and gastronomy open

Saturday, August 15, 2026 — Main Festival Day

Morning — Workshops (Manga drawing, cosplay crafting, origami)
Afternoon — Stage program with J-Pop bands and traditional dances
Late Afternoon — Cosplay Contest #1
Ikebana demonstration and tea ceremony in the pavilions
Evening — Concert, light show

Sunday, August 16, 2026 — Family Day

Morning — Family program, workshops for children
Afternoon — Cosplay Contest #2 (Grand Prize)
Closing concert with all stage acts
Evening — Festival concludes

Ongoing Program Areas

Stage – Taiko drums, J-Pop, traditional dance
Sales Area – Kimonos, jewelry, souvenirs, manga, anime merchandise
Gastronomy – Ramen, sushi, takoyaki, onigiri, mochi, sake
Cultural Pavilions – Tea ceremony, Ikebana, calligraphy
Workshops – Manga drawing, cosplay, traditional games

Prices Main Matsuri 2026

Weekend passes and day tickets via the festival website. Workshops may require registration.

Practical information

Practical information — Main Matsuri

Getting There

S-Bahn S1/S2 from Frankfurt to Offenbach Marktplatz, then a 10-minute walk to Büsingpark. By car: A661 or A3, Offenbach-Mitte.

Tickets

Weekend passes and day tickets available via the festival website. Accommodation and volunteer options are separate.

Dates

Friday, August 14th – Sunday, August 16th, 2026.

Tip

For cosplay enthusiasts: Register early for the cosplay contest. Check the stage times for the main shows (Taiko, J-Pop) in advance on the festival website.

Japan in Offenbach

The Rhine-Main region is one of Germany's largest Japanese communities with around 7,000 Japanese residents – larger than Düsseldorf, which surprises many. This community has been celebrating its major annual festival since 2018: the Main Matsuri in Büsingpark in Offenbach am Main. In 2026, the 7th edition runs from August 14th to 16th and is one of the most important Japan festivals in Germany.

More than just a Cosplay Festival

Unlike purely pop-culture anime conventions, Main Matsuri represents the entire spectrum of Japanese culture:

Traditional Arts: Tea ceremony (Sadō), Ikebana (flower arranging), calligraphy, origami
Pop Culture: Manga, anime, cosplay contests, J-Pop
Music and Dance: Stage shows with Taiko drums, traditional dances, modern music groups
Workshops: Manga drawing, cosplay crafting, learning traditional games
Sales: Kimonos, jewelry, souvenirs, manga, anime merchandise
Gastronomy: Ramen, sushi, takoyaki, onigiri, mochi, sake

Cosplay Contests as Highlights

Two cosplay contests per weekend are flagship events of the festival. Cosplay enthusiasts from all over Germany travel to perform in self-made costumes from anime, manga, and video games before a jury and audience.

Patronage and International Recognition

The patron is Offenbach's Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke. In 2024, the Main Matsuri team received an award from the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs for promoting Japanese culture in Germany – a rare honor that makes the festival an official element of German-Japanese cultural relations.

Büsingpark – Ideal Festival Venue

Büsingpark is located in the heart of Offenbach and is reachable by public transport from Frankfurt in 15 minutes. The spacious park with its pavilions, shady paths, and central lawn is large enough to accommodate the numerous stalls and stages without appearing overcrowded. It can get hot in August – the shady areas are used for breaks.

Two Organizers, One Vision

Main Matsuri is jointly organized by the Japanese Cultural and Language Center and Hojinkai (Association of Japanese Companies Frankfurt). This gives the festival a special status: it is not just a fan meeting but also official cultural work by the Japanese community in the Rhine-Main region.