The Japanese Culture House in Paris (MCJP), managed by the Japan Foundation, is located on the banks of the Seine in Paris’s 15th arrondissement, a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. Opened in 1997 following an architectural competition won by Kenneth Armstrong (UK) and Masayuki Yamanaka (Japan), the building spans some 7,500 m², with 4,500 m² open to the public across eleven floors, six of which are visible from the façade .

The idea for MCJP originated from a meeting between French President François Mitterrand and Japanese Prime Minister Zenkō Suzuki. The inauguration by Jacques Chirac and Princess Sayako marked the project’s diplomatic and cultural significance in 1997 .

At MCJP, visitors experience a rich blend of tradition and modernity through a diverse cultural programme: temporary exhibitions of contemporary Japanese art, live performances (theatre, dance, music), Japanese film screenings, conferences, interactive workshops and demonstrations (calligraphy, ikebana, origami, manga, tea ceremony, go...) . A tea pavilion offers a serene interlude, while the library on the third floor is freely open to all, from researchers to casual explorers .

The 450 m² main hall in the basement (level –3) is versatile thanks to a spiralift system enabling multiple configurations. A smaller cinema room seats 128 for screenings focused on Japanese cinema . Visitors can also enjoy the Onigiri Bar (Kunitoraya) and browse the Takumi Flavours boutique for Japanese food and cultural items .

The atmosphere is professional yet welcoming: bilingual staff, diverse audience including culture enthusiasts, families, students and professionals, all enjoying a tranquil yet vibrant setting. Highlights: in 2016, the library presented a special dossier on the Ainu people, including a rare edition of John Batchelor’s Ainu dictionary . In 2024, an exhibition juxtaposed works of architects Kenzo Tange and Kengo Kuma, linking Japanese and French architectural heritage .

Practical info: open Tuesday–Saturday 11 am–7 pm (last admission 6:30 pm, evacuation 6:45 pm), closed Sundays, Mondays, public holidays and usually early August. Ticket counters close at 6:30 pm except on event evenings. Access to library and exhibitions is free, workshops, classes, performances and film screenings require advance reservation (up to two months for performances). Fully wheelchair accessible, on‑site small locker storage available, no visitor parking .