The Japan Foundation, Toronto

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/

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/

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/

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/

08/14/2026

📚JFT Staff & Volunteer Picks 4: What does it mean to find your place? 🌱📖🎨

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 Kyle, Administrative Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator
📕 Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage
　『色彩を持たない多崎つくると、彼の巡礼の年』
By
📍 Physical Copy Available in English
📍 Ebook & Audiobook Available in English
*Translated into English by Philip Gabriel

🌱 Pick by Anonymous JFT Staff Member
📘 Daichi no Ko (“A Son Of The Good Earth”)
　『大地の子』
By YAMASAKI Toyoko
📍 Physical Copy Available in Japanese

👀✨ More staff & volunteers coming soon!

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/

📢 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/

08/12/2026

♨️ 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙣... 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙤 𝙞𝙨?

🎌 Join us for our next 𝐁𝐘𝐎𝐁 ("𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨") and discover the fascinating world of 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 🫧. You will learn useful Japanese words and expressions, explore onsen culture and etiquette, and find out what makes Japan's bathing traditions so special ✨.

You will also learn how to put on a 𝘆𝘂𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗮 👘, a summer kimono that is typically worn at hot spring inns. In-person participants will have the opportunity to try wearing a yukata after the talk!
* 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦.

📅 Date: Friday, August 21, 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-20260821/

08/12/2026

🎌 Are you looking for a fun, low-pressure way to practice your Japanese? Come discover the joy of 𝐓𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐤𝐮 (多読) 📚, which means "read a lot" 😋!

Before the event, read a Japanese book (or more!) at your own pace 👀. During the online meetup, we will enjoy some quiet reading time 📖 and chat about our books 💬 in small groups, in either Japanese or English. Books are available for a wide range of proficiency levels, so learners of all levels are welcome 💕!
* 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴: 𝘉𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥.

New to our Virtual Study Space? Please register and attend an orientation before participating in the event: https://tr.jpf.go.jp/language/jft-virtual-study-space/

📅 Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
🕢 Time: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (ET)
💻 Location: Online on Virtual Study Space
💰 Free Admission
🔗 Register here: https://tr.jpf.go.jp/event/japanese-tadoku-20260824

#日本語 #多読 #日本語勉強

08/11/2026

📚JFT Staff & Volunteer Picks 3: Ready to uncover mysteries,➕glimpses of Japanese society❓🔍📖✨

Looking for your next read?
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 Luda, Library Volunteer
📕 Murder in the House of Omari
　『大鞠家殺人事件』
By ASHIBE Taku
📍 Ebook & Audiobook Available in English.
*Translated into English by Bryan Karetnyk

🔍 Pick by Noriko, Program Officer, Japanese Language Education
📘 All She Was Worth
　『火車』
By MIYABE Miyuki
📍 Physical Copy Available in English.
*Translated into English by Alfred Birnbaum

👀✨ More staff & volunteers coming soon!

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/

📢 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/

08/10/2026

♨️ 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙣... 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙤 𝙞𝙨?

🎌 Join us for our next 𝐁𝐘𝐎𝐁 ("𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨") and discover the fascinating world of 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 🫧. You will learn useful Japanese words and expressions, explore onsen culture and etiquette, and find out what makes Japan's bathing traditions so special ✨.

You will also learn how to put on a 𝘆𝘂𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗮 👘, a summer kimono that is typically worn at hot spring inns. In-person participants will have the opportunity to try wearing a yukata after the talk!
* 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦.

📅 Date: Friday, August 21, 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-20260821/

  Friday August 21, 2026 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET In Person @ The Japan Foundation, Toronto 6:30pm – 7:30 pm ET Online (Zoom) Have you been thinking about learning a new language but haven’t been able to find … Continue reading →

08/10/2026

Over the years, JFT has introduced numerous translated works through its public-lending library and various events. With Japanese literature in translation becoming increasingly popular in Toronto and around the world, JFT held a talk event on July 13 that aimed at spotlighting the translators who have played a vital role in bringing Japanese literature to global audiences, celebrate their achievements, and express hopes for the continued growth of Japanese literature through translation.

Three Canada-based translators – Ted Goossen, Sonja Arntzen, and Chris Corker – in conversation with editor Meg Taylor, who was the moderator for the day, read from their translated works; shared about their creative processes; and discussed the current trends in Japanese literature in translation. All four speakers are also involved with ‘Monkey New Writing from Japan’ - a literary magazine that plays a dynamic role in bridging languages, cultures, and literary traditions to bring Japanese literature to English readers – and shared about the magazine’s origins, history, and future directions.

A recording of this event is now available to watch on our YouTube channel! https://youtu.be/PkQ4fu4Brro

Thank you to all the speakers and all our patrons who joined us for this event. This was the first in our special series of events celebrating JFT’s journey and community, ahead of our upcoming relocation and transition to public facilities. Stay tuned for more events – details can be found on our website.