32nd Japanese Film Festival at Rosebank Nouveau

The Embassy of Japan, in partnership with Ster-Kinekor, presents the 32nd Japanese Film Festival at Rosebank Nouveau from 13–16 August 2026.

This year's programme showcases four acclaimed Japanese films ranging from an uplifting musical comedy and a meditative culinary drama to an inspiring literary biopic and an imaginative animated fairytale. Together, they offer a unique opportunity to experience the depth, creativity and cultural richness of contemporary Japanese cinema.

Thursday, 13 August | 18:00 | The Dancing Okami

Saturday, 15 August | 10:30 | The Zen Diary

Saturday, 15 August | 14:00 | Father of the Milky Way Railroad

Sunday, 16 August | 14:00 | Princess Arete

108 mins | 1h 48min

A Japanese-style dance movie set in the hot spring town of Kaga.

An inspiring musical comedy about a young woman who returns to her hometown after her dreams of becoming a tap dancer in the city are dashed. Back in Kaga, she follows in her mother's footsteps by becoming the proprietress of a traditional hot spring inn. Determined to revitalise the area, she brings the community together through her passion for dance.

111 mins | 1h 51min

"To eat is to live. To eat is to love. That's why food tastes the best when eaten together."

A celebration of seasonal cooking and a reminder of what it means to live in harmony with nature and appreciate life's simple pleasures.

Tsutomu lives alone in the mountains with his dog and his late wife's ashes, spending his days writing essays and preparing meals from vegetables he grows or forages himself. His quiet routine is occasionally interrupted by visits from Machiko, his editor and love interest from Tokyo. She loves to eat, and he loves to cook for her using skills he learnt as an apprentice in a Zen monastery.

118 mins | 1h 58min

The story of one of Japan's most beloved authors and the father who always believed in him.

This moving biographical drama explores the family life of celebrated author Miyazawa Kenji, a free spirit determined to follow his own path despite expectations to inherit the family business. Told through the eyes of his father, whose unwavering support endures through hardship and adversity, the film is based on the bestselling novel of the same name.

105 mins | 1h 45min

A contemplative and unconventional fairytale about an independent-minded princess.

Confined to a tower and used as bait to encourage prospective suitors to retrieve treasures for the king, Princess Arete is lonely but far from helpless. Fascinated by the world beyond her window, she watches ordinary people create things with their own hands and begins to wonder what possibilities lie within herself. This thoughtful animated feature offers a fresh take on the traditional fairytale and celebrates curiosity, independence and self-discovery.

Admission is Free

Tickets will be available at Rosebank Nouveau one hour before each screening.

Please note:

• Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Seating is unreserved.

• Ticket collection opens one hour before the scheduled screening time.

• Early arrival is recommended, as seating is limited and screenings may reach capacity.

Rosebank Nouveau

The Mall of Rosebank, Johannesburg

Join us for the 32nd Japanese Film Festival and discover four distinctive stories that showcase the artistry, culture and imagination of Japanese cinema.