Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

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Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden Nikka Yuko is a Municipal Historic Resource providing guests with a unique cultural experience. Experience the Friendship all year long.
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From the Natsu (Summer) season to the Winter Light Festival. The Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden was designed as a symbol of Japan and Canada’s friendship. The garden offers guests a rich cultural experience unlike any other. Located at Mayor Magrath Drive and 9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. The garden is open May to October for the summer season and December & January for our Winter Light Festival. Find more information on the garden, daily programming, and upcoming events on our website: www.nikkayuko.com

🍂🎬 KIDS’ YOKAI PROGRAM: POM POKO! 🦝✨Looking for something fun to do with the kids this weekend? Join us at the Nikka Yuk...
10/16/2026

🍂🎬 KIDS’ YOKAI PROGRAM: POM POKO! 🦝✨

Looking for something fun to do with the kids this weekend? Join us at the Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre for a cozy afternoon of Japanese animation, folklore, and adventure!

As part of our Kids’ Yokai Program, we're screening Pom Poko, a beloved Studio Ghibli film featuring mischievous, shape-shifting tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs) who must work together to protect their forest home! 🌳

Filled with humour, heart, and Japanese folklore, this animated adventure is a wonderful way to introduce young audiences to the fascinating world of yokai!

📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Kawamura Room, Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre

🍁 Bring the family and enjoy an afternoon of magical storytelling and Japanese culture!

We can't wait to see you there! 🎥✨

🦖🔥 THE KING OF THE MONSTERS IS COMING TO NIKKA YUKO! 🔥🦖GODZILLA NIGHT IS HERE! 🎬🇯🇵Get ready for a MONSTROUS evening at t...
10/16/2026

🦖🔥 THE KING OF THE MONSTERS IS COMING TO NIKKA YUKO! 🔥🦖

GODZILLA NIGHT IS HERE! 🎬🇯🇵

Get ready for a MONSTROUS evening at the Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre on Friday, November 6!

We're celebrating one of Japan's most legendary cultural icons with an unforgettable night of music, movie magic, and monster-sized fun!

🎵 LIVE MUSIC! Enjoy a special performance by Meimei & Feifei, featuring music inspired by Godzilla and beloved Japanese anime, including Demon Slayer, Naruto, and Princess Mononoke!

🦖 GODZILLA HISTORY & TRIVIA! Discover how the King of the Monsters became a worldwide cultural phenomenon and put your Godzilla knowledge to the test!

🎬 GODZILLA MINUS ONE! Experience the critically acclaimed Japanese blockbuster on the big screen! Presented in Japanese with English subtitles, this powerful film brings Godzilla back to his terrifying roots!

🍿 AND YES, THERE ARE SNACKS!

Your admission includes:
🍿 Popcorn
🍪 One Godzilla-themed cookie
☕ Self-serve coffee, tea & water
🎟️ Access to the entire evening's entertainment!

📅 Friday, November 6, 2026
📍 Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre
🚪 Doors Open: 5:30 PM
🎵 Program Begins: 6:00 PM
🎬 Movie Begins: 6:40 PM
🕘 Approximate End: 8:45 PM

💰 ADMISSION:
🎟️ Adults: $20
🎟️ Students: $15

⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: Godzilla Minus One is rated 14A. Guests under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The film contains intense action, frightening scenes, and mature themes that may not be suitable for younger audiences.

The Japanese Garden remains closed for pathway construction, but the Bunka Centre is ready to welcome you for this special event! Garden admission is not included.

🚨 LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE!

Whether you've been a Godzilla fan for decades or are discovering the King of the Monsters for the first time, this is one night you won't want to miss!

🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY AND JOIN US FOR GODZILLA NIGHT:https://www.showpass.com/godzilla-birthday/

👻 THIS HALLOWEEN, THE SPIRITS ARE COMING TO LIFE AT NIKKA YUKO! 👻The countdown to Halloween is on, and something superna...
10/15/2026

👻 THIS HALLOWEEN, THE SPIRITS ARE COMING TO LIFE AT NIKKA YUKO! 👻

The countdown to Halloween is on, and something supernatural is waiting inside the Bunka Centre... 🌙

KWAIDAN NIGHT: Where Old Stories Still Whisper

This Halloween, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is teaming up once again with New West Theatre for a haunting evening of Japanese folklore, theatrical storytelling and ghostly encounters!

While our traditional Yōkai event takes a break during the Garden's pathway construction, we're bringing the mystery and supernatural world of Japan indoors for an unforgettable, one-night-only experience.

Inspired by the legendary works of Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), four chilling Japanese ghost stories will come to life through dramatic performances, costumes, atmospheric lighting and eerie sound effects.

👻 MUJINA (むじな)

❄️ YUKI-ONNA (雪女)

💀 JIKININKI (人食鬼)

🎶 MIMI-NASHI HŌICHI (耳なし芳一)

🎃 TWO PERFORMANCES. ONE HAUNTING HALLOWEEN NIGHT. 🎃

📅 Saturday, October 31, 2026

📍 Bunka Centre, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

🕖 First Performance: 7:00–8:00 PM

🕣 Second Performance: 8:30–9:30 PM

🎟️ Admission: $20 per person

🔞 Recommended for ages 15+

⚠️ SPACE IS LIMITED!

With only two performances available, don't wait until it's too late to secure your spot!

Whether you're a fan of Japanese culture, supernatural stories or simply looking for something different to experience this Halloween, Kwaidan Night promises an evening of mystery, suspense and storytelling unlike anything we've hosted before.

The Garden may be quiet this Halloween, but inside the Bunka Centre, the spirits are just beginning to stir... 👻

🎟️ RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

https://nikkayuko.com/event/kwaidan-night-where-old-stories-still-whisper/

👻 THIS HALLOWEEN, THE STORIES STILL WHISPER... 👻Halloween at Nikka Yuko is going to look a little different this year.Wh...
10/08/2026

👻 THIS HALLOWEEN, THE STORIES STILL WHISPER... 👻

Halloween at Nikka Yuko is going to look a little different this year.

While the Garden is closed for pathway construction, we're bringing the supernatural indoors for a brand-new Halloween experience inside the Bunka Centre!

KWAIDAN NIGHT: Where Old Stories Still Whisper 🌙

Once again, we're thrilled to collaborate with New West Theatre to bring Japanese folklore to life through theatrical storytelling, costumes, lighting and ghostly sounds.

Inspired by the works of Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), Kwaidan Night features four haunting tales of ghosts, spirits and the supernatural:

👻 MUJINA (むじな)
❄️ YUKI-ONNA (雪女)
💀 JIKININKI (人食鬼)
🎶 MIMI-NASHI HŌICHI (耳なし芳一)

This is a ONE-DAY-ONLY Halloween event, with just two performances and limited space available for each!

📅 Saturday, October 31
📍 Bunka Centre at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

🕖 Performance 1: 7:00–8:00 PM
🕣 Performance 2: 8:30–9:30 PM

🎟️ Admission: $20
🔞 Recommended for ages 15+

Our traditional Yōkai event may be taking a break while the Garden undergoes its pathway transformation, but the spirits haven't gone anywhere...

Join us this Halloween as old stories cross the sea and come to life for one night only.

Space is limited. Reserve your tickets before your preferred performance disappears into the night! 👻

🎟️ Get your tickets here:https://www.showpass.com/kwaidan-night-where-old-stories-still-whisper/

💚 COMPASS for the Caregiver is returning to Lethbridge.This five-week program offers support, meaningful connection, and...
09/30/2026

💚 COMPASS for the Caregiver is returning to Lethbridge.

This five-week program offers support, meaningful connection, and practical tools for caregivers and family members caring for someone diagnosed with cancer.

The program will take place on Wednesdays from October 7–November 4, from 6–8 PM, at the Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre.

Caregiving can be a challenging journey, and programs like COMPASS help remind caregivers that they don't have to navigate it alone.

Registration is required. Learn more and register through the Wellspring Alberta website.
Register here: https://wellspring.ca/alberta/

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 🧡Today, September 30, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden recognizes the National Day f...
09/30/2026

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 🧡

Today, September 30, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden recognizes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and honours the Survivors of residential schools, the children who never returned home, and their families and communities.

As a Canadian garden created in the Japanese style, Nikka Yuko believes in recognizing and learning from the histories that have shaped the place we call home. Reconciliation is an ongoing process, and today is an important opportunity to listen, learn, reflect, and honour Indigenous peoples and communities.

While the Garden is closed today and we were unable to host an initiative of our own this year, we were grateful for the opportunity to support the Honouring Traditions Pow Wow Run/Walk 2026 on September 20 by providing water and gluten-free cookies for participants. We were proud to play a small part in supporting this meaningful community event.

We encourage everyone to take time today and throughout the year, to learn more about Indigenous histories, cultures, experiences, and the ongoing work of reconciliation.

🧡 Every Child Matters.

🍁 THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING GOLDEN MAPLE KEIROKAI WITH US! 🍁What a wonderful evening of culture, connection, storytellin...
09/29/2026

🍁 THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING GOLDEN MAPLE KEIROKAI WITH US! 🍁

What a wonderful evening of culture, connection, storytelling and celebration at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden! ❤️

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Golden Maple Keirokai. It was an honour to come together as a community to celebrate our seniors while sharing Japanese and Japanese Canadian culture, traditions and stories.

A very special thank you to our talented performers for sharing the beauty of music with us, and to Christopher Takashi Robertson for sharing his art, experiences and stories of Japanese Canadian history, family, heritage and community.

We are also incredibly grateful to our generous event supporters and sponsors:
🍁 Lethbridge Nikkei Cultural Society
🍁 Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta
🍁 Lethbridge & Area Tonarigumi Revival Initiative
🍁 Wesbridge Construction Limited
🍁 Sake Gami Corp. — proud sponsor of our Koto & Guitar performance and traditional Kagami Biraki ceremony

Events like Golden Maple Keirokai are made possible through partnerships, generosity and a shared commitment to keeping culture and community connections strong.

And, of course, thank you to every guest, volunteer, performer, presenter and community member who spent the evening with us. You made this celebration truly special. ❤️

Having a blast at Bunka Hashi! Come say hello at our booth! We're here until 6pm today!
09/26/2026

Having a blast at Bunka Hashi! Come say hello at our booth!

We're here until 6pm today!

📚 Join us at the Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre for the 2026 Gordon Hirabayashi Lecture Watch Party! Nikka Yuko is proud to par...
09/24/2026

📚 Join us at the Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre for the 2026 Gordon Hirabayashi Lecture Watch Party! Nikka Yuko is proud to partner with the University of Lethbridge, University of Alberta, and Lethbridge Nikkei Cultural Society for this wonderful event.

On Friday, October 2, we’re pleased to welcome the community for an in-person viewing of the University of Alberta’s annual Gordon Hirabayashi Lecture, featuring Dr. Audrey Kobayashi, Distinguished Professor Emerita at Queen’s University.

This year’s lecture, “Redress and Resolution: Future Choices for Japanese Canadians,” will explore an important part of Japanese Canadian history and its continued relevance today.

🎥 The afternoon will begin with a screening of the documentary Principles of Resistance at 3:30 p.m., followed by the livestream of Dr. Kobayashi’s lecture at 4 p.m.

📅 Friday, October 2
⏰ 3:30–5:45 p.m.
📍 Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre

We’re honoured to provide a space for our community to come together, learn and engage with this important conversation.

Please see the poster for full details, and we hope you’ll join us! 🌸

Address

835 Mayor Magrath Drive
Lethbridge, AB
T1J3Z6

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

4033283511

Website

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