Autumn is in the air, but fear not – you can still make the very best of 2010 with these fantastic festivals celebrating Japanese culture, food, film and music.  Plan to visit the top five festivals:

Japan Matsuri – 18 September  

Last year, to be honest, the first annual Japan Matsuri held at Spitalfields Market in North London was a victim of its own success.  Packed to the rafters, the well-planned and well-executed festival was simply stuffed with hot, hungry Japanophiles desperate for an octopus ball.  This year the Japan Matsuri will address the overcrowding by using both sides of the market.  With great events like the Nodojiman singing contest, a varied schedule of performances, activities and stalls to visit, the Japan Matsuri is sure to please.

Hyper JapanFestival - 1-3 October  

Hyper Japan Festival will take place just a couple weeks later, on the 1st-3rd October, a mere stone’s throw away from Spitalfields at The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane.  Aimed at a youthful crowd, this festival is set to be full of fun with a cosplay carnival, a manga drawing workshop, anime screenings and more.  Plus, visit the Eat-Japan Food Courtand sample sakes.  Tickets are £5 for each day, but snap up an early bird price of £5 until 31st August.

BFI Film Festival – 13-28 October  

‘Never Let Me Go’, a film based on Japanese-descent British author Kazuo Ishiguro will open BFI Film Festival.  The festival is known for its exciting showcase of Japanese films interspersed throughout the 2 weeks of screenings at several locations in central London.  The full programme for The 54th BFI London Film Festival will be announced at the Press Launch on Wednesday 8 September. The Festival runs from 13-28 October 2010.

Japanese New Music Festival at Café OTO – 14 November  

Featuring Tatsuya Yoshida (Ruins), Atsushi Tsuyama (AcidMothersTemple) and Makoto Kawabata (AcidMothersTemple), this one-evening only celebration should not be missed!  Café OTO is a music venue dedicated to new music, supporting the careers of many international, including out-of-the-mainstream musicians from Japan.

Zipangu Fest – 23-28 November  

If you missed out on the BFI Japanese screenings (tickets are snapped up quickly!), you'll be pleased to hear about the UK's first annual festival devoted to Japanese cinema!  Keep your eye on their website for more details.