Exploring the Innovative Street Experiment Event: Nandakanda 12 in Kanda

On November 3, 2025, the streets of Kanda will be transformed into an innovative experimental space for the highly anticipated event, Nandakanda 12 - "Despite Everything, I’ve Done My Best To Live". This unique street festival will utilize a 300-tatami-mat area to create a vibrant atmosphere, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in an array of cultural experiences.

Entering the 300 tatami mats laid out on the road feels like stepping into an entirely different world, one that blurs the lines between the bustling city and a tranquil inner sanctuary. With the sky visible amidst the gaps between the buildings serving as a giant window, the space will be illuminated gently, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. At this *new type of Ennichi** (Japanese festival), the themes of connections, equality, and sharing will guide various activities, fostering unexpected encounters with art, communities, and experiences.

The event is spearheaded by Yukai Inc., with contributions from several organizations such as Tsugiya and Nikken Sekkei Research Institute. It is organized by the Kanda Place Making Executive Committee, formed in 2023 by enthusiastic locals and residents of Chiyoda Ward, Kanda Nishikicho.

Event Highlights

The main venue will be the multi-use cultural facility Kanda Port Building (located at 3-9 Kanda Nishikicho, Chiyoda Ward) and the surrounding roads that feature the 300 tatami mats. This year, the event area has been expanded to include the Terrace Square (3-22 Kanda Nishikicho), featuring a diverse range of mobile installations, including food trucks, a mobile aquarium, blacksmith demonstrations, and various playful activities.

The slogan for this year's event is "Despite Everything, I’ve Done My Best To Live." It aims to celebrate the diversity of participants including individuals with disabilities, welfare facility staff, artists, performers, musicians, healthcare professionals, and families, each contributing to a rich tapestry of shared stories and experiences.

The festival is conceived as a platform for creative exchange, inviting all attendees to reflect on how these encounters can generate ideas and relationships that positively influence their communities. It promotes a spirit of joyful dialogue*, allowing for conversations that encourage softer perspectives and newfound understandings.

300 tatami mats will create a unique space where the boundaries between indoors and outdoors dissolve. Attendees are encouraged to take off their shoes and step onto the mats, which will provide a fresh perspective on the cityscape and on the gatherings in the square.

This festival promises personal experiences that may lead to the discovery of comfortable, welcoming interactions and shared joy with others. As creatives direct their efforts into fostering connectivity and understanding through art, we hope participants feel at home within the bounds of the festival.

Practical Information

Event: Nandakanda 12 - "Despite Everything, I’ve Done My Best To Live"
Date: November 3, 2025 (Mon/Pub)
Time: 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Location: Kanda Port Building, Kanda Port Building Front Road, Kanda Tax Office Parking Lot, surrounding roads, Terrace Square West Side Road, and public open space at Terrace Square.
Admission: Free
Event Website: Nandakanda 12

Collaborating Organizations

This event is supported by various partners, including local universities, cultural entities, and businesses that believe in the potential of community-engaged art practices.

For participants and onlookers alike, Nandakanda 12 stands as a beacon of creativity, connection, and joy, showcasing the beauty of human interaction amidst the urban landscape. Let's celebrate life and the small yet significant connections that bind us all together in this diverse world.