When
KOKUYOSA 2027 — September 2027 (exact dates to be announced). The host city — Lethbridge or Calgary, Alberta — will be announced together with the dates. The venue information below is from KOKUYOSA 2026 (Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Lethbridge). The detailed timetable will be announced closer to the festival.
See how KOKUYOSA 2026 went — winners & teams →
Where — Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Lethbridge, Alberta. Built in 1967 as a symbol of Japanese immigration and international friendship in Canada, the garden added a culture centre in 2023 with a hall seating up to 100 guests. Learn more at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden website.
Getting here
- From Calgary (YYC airport): about 220 km / 2 hours south on Highway 2. Direct flights from Tokyo (Narita / Haneda) into Calgary.
- From downtown Lethbridge: about 10 minutes — head south on Mayor Magrath Drive S toward Henderson Lake.
- From Lethbridge airport (YQL): about 8 km / 10 minutes; direct flights from Vancouver and Calgary.
- Transit: Lethbridge Transit serves the area — routes and times at lethbridge.ca/transit.
Parking
Free parking is available near the venue.
Where to stay
Lethbridge has plenty of hotels. The festival weekend (Sept 18–21) fills up fast — book early.
Admission
General admission is free — everyone is welcome.
Explore Lethbridge
Making a trip of it? Find things to do, places to eat, and where to stay across the city at Tourism Lethbridge.