The Japan Foundation, Toronto

The Japan Foundation, Toronto The Japan Foundation is a not-for-profit cultural institution with a mandate to promote international cultural exchange.

Visit our public library, art gallery, language classes, lectures, film screenings & more to engage, be inspired & learn about Japan. The Japan Foundation aspires to the role of catalyst for international exchange throughout the world, presenting valuable and appealing aspects of Japanese culture to other countries and promoting mutual understanding with peoples around the world.

Registrations are now open for our in-person event 'North America - Japan Partnership in a New Global Era' happening Sat...
09/04/2026

Registrations are now open for our in-person event 'North America - Japan Partnership in a New Global Era' happening Saturday, September 26!

This event, featuring a distinguished group of leaders from Canada and the United States, aims to explore innovative approaches to strengthening North America–Japan partnership amid profound global change. Through their individual experiences across Canada, Japan, and the United States, the speakers will discuss strategies for reinforcing values-based partnerships within societies and among the three countries, as well as brainstorm new ideas and opportunities for trilateral collaboration that will strengthen relations over the coming century.

Register here: https://tr.jpf.go.jp/event/north-america-japan-partnership-in-a-new-global-era/

This event is co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation, Toronto and International House of Japan - 国際文化会館, in partnership with American Friends of the International House of Japan and Japan Society Canada.

Even though film screenings at our Event Hall have ended, you can still enjoy films for free online through JFF Theater!...
09/03/2026

Even though film screenings at our Event Hall have ended, you can still enjoy films for free online through JFF Theater!

Don't miss the special feature this month -- explore the distinctive cinematic world of renowned Japanese filmmaker KUROSAWA Kiyoshi with these two films:

🎬License to Live (1999)
The story of a young man who awakens from a coma after 10 years and his family. Directed and written by KUROSAWA Kiyoshi, starring NISHIJIMA Hidetoshi, and award-winning actor YAKUSHO Koji.

🎬Bright Future (2002)
A luminous jellyfish offers hope in Bright Future, directed by KUROSAWA Kiyoshi and selected for Cannes competition, where generational impasse meets the emptiness of youth with this world-first streaming release of the original theatrical cut.

Watch now on JFF Theatre: https://en.jff.jpf.go.jp/

🎬Film – New titles were added to JFF Theater today! Enjoy a variety of films from the comfort of your home🍿🍣Gallery – Th...
09/02/2026

🎬Film – New titles were added to JFF Theater today! Enjoy a variety of films from the comfort of your home🍿

🍣Gallery – The Japan Foundation traveling exhibition I LOVE SUSHI is coming to Toronto on September 15!
(Note: Our gallery will be closed until September 14 for the installation of the new exhibition.)

🍱Language – This month's Bring Your Own Bento (BYOB) theme is I LOVE SUSHI! Join us to learn Japanese words, phrases, and sushi trivia while enjoying your lunch🍣

📚Library – While our physical item lending service ended on August 22, our library space will remain open to the public until October 9. Stop by to read, relax, and watch films!

Please visit our website for more details.
https://tr.jpf.go.jp/

🎌 Celebrate the delicious world of 𝓼𝓾𝓼𝓱𝓲 🍣through the Japanese language!✨ In conjunction with our latest exhibition, 𝙄 𝙇...
08/29/2026

🎌 Celebrate the delicious world of 𝓼𝓾𝓼𝓱𝓲 🍣through the Japanese language!

✨ In conjunction with our latest exhibition, 𝙄 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙞, taking place in the JFT Gallery from September 15 - October 9, we are hosting a special 𝐁𝐘𝐎𝐁 ("𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨") talk exploring sushi-related words, phrases, and fascinating facts 📚.

From 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪 and 𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪 to 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘻𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪 and 𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪, you will discover the language behind some of Japan’s best-known sushi varieties, and learn some interesting insights along the way 🐟🍙.
* 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦.

📅 Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
🕐 Time: In-person, 12:00 pm (ET) & Online (Zoom), 6:30 pm (ET)
💰 Free Admission
🔗 Register here: https://tr.jpf.go.jp/event/byob-20260918/

GTA Japan-culture lovers! There’s still time and ways to enjoy in person 🙌 📚 💕Although our public lending of physical ...
08/27/2026

GTA Japan-culture lovers! There’s still time and ways to enjoy in person 🙌 📚 💕
Although our public lending of physical library items ended on August 22, our library space remains open to the public during our opening hours until Friday, October 9, 2026!

Whether you’re a longtime patron or visiting us for the first time, you’re welcome to:

📖 Browse our collection of Japan-related books, , & magazines in English, Japanese, and French
💿 Watch and DVDs & Blu-rays at our AV station
💻 Use our quiet study space to work or study
📚 Return your borrowed physical library items

Located just steps from the Bloor-Yonge subway station, you can reach us without having to go outside! It’s a perfect place for a quiet break, study session, or some time exploring Japanese books and media. 🇯🇵✨

📍 GTA residents & Japan-culture lovers, come visit us before our physical library concludes operations!🙌

⏰ Open until Friday, October 9, 2026
Please return all borrowed physical library items by their due date, or no later than October 9.

💡And don’t forget! JF Canada Digital Library is available 24/7 and will remain available during and after our relocation! 📱📚

🔗For our opening hours and details on the library services currently available, check the website below:
https://tr.jpf.go.jp/jft-library-visitor-policy/

📚100% of questionnaire respondents rated “Excellent”! 🙌On August 15, we gathered in person and online for our special ...
08/26/2026

📚100% of questionnaire respondents rated “Excellent”! 🙌

On August 15, we gathered in person and online for our special JFT Book Club to celebrate our collection and community before our physical library concludes operations in conjunction with our office relocation.

Participants introduced a favourite title from our physical or digital collection, shared why it was meaningful to them, enjoyed a silent reading session, and then exchanged thoughts and recommendations during an optional discussion time.

From and , history, art, and Japanese culture, the books represented just how diverse our collection and our readers are 👀✨📚🌏

💓THE RESULTS💓

👥22 attendees
🌸11 Returning Participants+🌱11 First-timers
👨‍👩‍👧‍👧Ages 20s–65+
💻🏢In person+online

From longtime members of our library community to people joining us for the first time, it was wonderful to see of different generations and backgrounds come together 📚🌏

Participants especially appreciated the warm, friendly atmosphere, the sense of community, and the opportunity to hear different perspectives through books.
Some wished the event had been longer!

🙏 Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared a book, listened, read, and helped make this special gathering so memorable! 💝✨

📣 Stay tuned! 📣
Although this was our final book club at the current physical library, we’ll continue the ! So stay tuned for our next gathering! 💻📚💓

🎬 The Results Are In! 🥳Thank you to everyone who participated in the JFT People's Choice Award and helped us choose the ...
08/20/2026

🎬 The Results Are In! 🥳

Thank you to everyone who participated in the JFT People's Choice Award and helped us choose the films for two very special final screenings at the JFT Event Hall.

🥈 Runner-up: PERFECT DAYS (2023)
📅 Tue, Sept. 1 | 6:30 PM

🏆 People's Choice Award Winner: TAMPOPO (1985)
📅 Wed, Sept. 2 | 6:30 PM

From beloved favourites to films that have brought us together over the years, JFT film programming has created countless wonderful memories with our community. We're excited to celebrate those memories with you by bringing these two audience favourites back to the big screen.

🎟 Free admission. Registration required.
⚠️ Please note: We kindly ask that you register for ONLY ONE of the two People's Choice Award screenings so that as many community members as possible have the opportunity to join us. Thank you for your consideration!
Please visit our website to register: https://tr.jpf.go.jp/jft-peoples-choice-award/

📣Only a few days left to borrow physical items from JFT library!📚For some of you, saying goodbye to the physical library...
08/20/2026

📣Only a few days left to borrow physical items from JFT library!📚
For some of you, saying goodbye to the physical library may feel a little sad. Why not make the most of these final days by borrowing something that warms your heart? 💗

Discover some heartwarming picks from our July and August new arrivals!

📘 Hot Chocolate on Thursday
By AOYAMA Michiko
📍 Physical Copy Available in English
*Translated into English by E. Madison Shimoda
💗 Savour a cozy collection of twelve interconnected stories that celebrate kindness, community, and the beauty of life's little moments!

💿The colors within きみの色
Directed by YAMADA Naoko
📍 Blu-Ray & DVD Available in English & Japanese
💗 Warm your heart with an film that tells a gentle coming-of-age story where friendship and music help three teens find their way!

📗 Eve, the wild dog : the reason I am here
『野犬のイブ : だからわたしはここにいてあげる』
By TOMIDA Michiyo
📍 Physical Copy Available in English-Japanese Bilingual edition
*Translated into English by TOMIDA Kimie
💗See the world through a former wild dog’s eyes with this bilingual picture book based on a true story in which Eve gradually learns to trust, love, and find her place in a human world!

Explore further at JFT Library (Bloor-Yonge Station)! 📚✨

📢 Please note:
Final day to borrow physical items: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Final day for public access & to return physical items: Friday, October 9, 2026
📱💻JF Canada/USA Digital Library available 24/7 before and after October 9📚

Find more details below:
https://tr.jpf.go.jp/important-notice/

In addition to the two film adaptations of HIGASHINO Keigo's works, there are two more films recently added to JFF Theat...
08/15/2026

In addition to the two film adaptations of HIGASHINO Keigo's works, there are two more films recently added to JFF Theater. Available to stream for free across Canada!

🎬The Complex (2012)
Another chilling film from NAKATA Hideo, director of the global hit and J-Horror classic Ring. Asuka uncovers the truth behind the noise from next door causing her to confront a terrible dark secret of her own.

🎬The Hotel of my Dream (2024)
The Hill Top Hotel is the destination of all celebrated authors. But the promising Kayoko, who cannot catch a break, knows it takes more than hard work; it also takes cunning to be a great writer.

Stream now on JFF Theater: https://en.jff.jpf.go.jp/

📚JFT Staff & Volunteer Picks 5: Ever Wondered What Makes Something Beautiful?💖📖🎗️As we count down to our special hybrid-...
08/14/2026

📚JFT Staff & Volunteer Picks 5: Ever Wondered What Makes Something Beautiful?💖📖🎗️

As we count down to our special hybrid-style on August 15 and the conclusion of our physical library operations on October 9, we're sharing some of our staff and volunteers' favourite titles from the JFT library collection! 📚💞

💖 Pick by Emi, Library Assistant and Library Marketing & PR Coordinator
📘 The Japanese Sense of Beauty
『日本人にとって美しさとは何か』
By TAKASHINA Shūji
📍 Physical Copies Available in English and Japanese
*Translated into English by Matt Treyvaud

🎗️Pick by Luda, Library Volunteer
📕 The Complete Guide to : Chusen
　『注染 手拭いづくし』
By OSAWA Mikiko
📍 Physical Copy Available in Eng-Jpn Bilingual
*Translated into English by IHARA Mayumi

Explore further at JFT Library and/or join our hybrid Book Club on Aug 15, where we'll celebrate our library collection through favourite books, memories, and a silent reading session together!

📍 JFT Library in Toronto 🇨🇦 (Bloor-Yonge Station) or from anywhere via Zoom🌎

🔗 Learn more or register via the link below:
https://tr.jpf.go.jp/event/jft-book-club-silent_favourite/
**Registration for this event is now full. If you wish to be notified when a cancelled slot becomes available, please join the waitlist.

📢 Please note:
Final day to borrow physical items: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Final day for public access & to return physical items: Friday, October 9, 2026
📱💻JF Canada/USA Digital Library available 24/7 before and after October 9📚

Find more details below:
https://tr.jpf.go.jp/important-notice/

Address

2 Bloor Street E 3FL
Toronto, ON
M4W1A8

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 11:30am - 6:30pm
Friday 11:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 11:30am - 4:30pm

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