For many years now, Hyper Japan has become synonymous with being the one of the best days out when it comes to exploring Japanese culture right here on British shores. But beyond the headline attractions, this year’s festival once again proved why it remains one of London’s most-loved celebrations of Japanese culture.
From independent artists to more culinary offerings than ever, here are five of the stand out attractions at this year’s festival.
1. The food scene keeps getting bigger and better
The London scene has no shortage of Japanese culinary hotspots, but the proliferation of offerings this 2026 didn’t hurt in the slightest.
Whilst its impressive food hall has always been a key hotspot for visitors, this year’s festival felt like it had expanded even further, with huge spread of exhibitors in the main hall serving everything from tofu to sake to brand new canned beverages, whilst freshly made takoyaki and fluffy Japanese pancakes were also on offer to the many thousands who made the trip down.
No matter what you were into or what new dishes you wanted to try, there was no way you were leaving the festival hungry.
2. The independent artist area continues to be a complete treasure trove
Today, big-name brands seem to take up airspace more than ever, but one of HYPER JAPAN’s greatest strengths continues to be its thriving independent artist area.
Rows upon rows of creators with handmade enamel pins, crochet plushies, keychains, charms, original artwork and much more meant that there was something for everyone, whether you wanted merch made with love, or simply wanted to discover something brand new.
It was a welcome reminder that some of the most joyful pieces you’ll find to adorn your home aren’t mass-produced by global companies. They’re designed by hand, by artists pouring their own personalities into every creation. The whimsy and colour was more than welcome.
3. Big names continue to embed themselves in our lives
However, the big brands we expected still couldn’t be ignored, with Bandai, Nintendo, Uniball and more with stalls. Nintendo drew a sizeable crowd as they advertised the newest Pikmin Walk game, hoping to add a little bit of Nintendo into your life whilst you keep fit day-to-day.
Maison Ghibli, the store for the animation titan Studio Ghibli, had a large stall situated around the middle of the exhibition hall, with queues often extending far around the block as people could not wait to get a hand on a plushie or folder of their favourite characters.
Blind boxes continue to show no sign of losing popularity, with visitors eagerly hunting for the latest Popmart collectibles and character merchandise, while a wide variety of TCG traders meant that whether you were buying or selling, there was something out there just for your TCG of choice. In particular, the dedicated Yu-Gi-Oh! area was consistently busy, reflecting the enduring popularity of one of Japan’s most iconic franchises.
In these times of stress, gaming and collectibles continue to take hold in the public consciousness, providing every pieces of joy to both young and old alike, and Hyper Japan 2026 provided plenty of comfort to go around.
4. Panels and performances brought theatre and exclusive behind-the-scenes moments
If you didn’t wish to spent the entire weekend shopping and eating, you were surely entertained by some of the festival’s insightful speakers.
Across the weekend, special guests explored everything from manga creation and Japanese language to animation, voice acting and the creative industries that bring beloved series to life. Anime actor Chiaki Kobayashi (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Mashle: Magic and Muscles) chatted with Elsie Lovelock about his work, whilst artists such as Eir Aoi, Warakuren, Re:O and more brough some electric stages and eclectic beats to the London Olympia.
5. No shortage of places to get stuck in
If you wanted to get immersed in the culture, there was no shortage of workshops at hand. This year’s edition of the festival featured a plethora of options, from a Japanese mask making workshop, to ones for Sumi painting, origami and kimono dressing.
A great joy of Hyper Japan always comes from seeing the multitude of ages and backgrounds who continue to participate and enjoy the many immersive activities together, and this year’s edition had something for everyone, whether you wanted something more high-octane, or something a little more relaxing.
Hyper Japan has always been about more than anime alone, and this year’s festival reinforced exactly why it continues to shine.
It’s a place where food lovers, artists, musicians, martial artists, collectors and creators all connected to Japanese culture can openly celebrate their passions together. Whether you arrived for a specific franchise or simply wanted to learn more about Japan, the chances are you left having learned or enjoyed something you didn’t expect. After all these years, Hyper Japan continues to bring a fun and exciting mix of Japanese culture to these shores.
Hyper Japan will return to London in 2027.