The City of Torino, in collaboration with the International Friendship Foundation in Tokyo, organized a fully packed week dedicated to Japanese culture with dance performances, music, and exhibitions.

The week started on 19th October in Piazza Castello with a public ceremony attended by Japanese and Italian authorities, followed by calligraphy, dance, drums and samurai performances.
The Piccolo Regio Puccini hosted different stage performances including kimono dressing and jazz music, magic and opera, drums, dance and shamisen music.  
Visitors and citizens also had the opportunity to participate in traditional tea ceremonies held in the wonderful Guard Room of Palazzo Madama, and to enjoy more than 150 artworks by Japanese artists in the exhibit held in Palazzo Barolo.
The Museum of Oriental Art hosted workshops and demonstrations on Japanese traditions: onigiri and sake tasting, kimono and accessories making,  pottery and rattan handicrafts, calligraphy and origami.
Japanese artists also visited schools, elderly care centres and disability day care centres, sharing Japanese arts and culture through workshops and demonstrations. Moreover, the University of Torino hosted three exchange classes engaging Italian students learning the Japanese language.