Every early October, a touch of Japan takes over Borély Park, transforming Marseille’s botanical garden. DuringAkimatsuri, the famous Autumn Festival, Marseille celebrates more than six decades of friendship and twinning with the city of Kobe. This free event invites visitors to marvel at a traditional Japanese garden, surrounded by the gentle murmur of the pond and the charm of the red bridge. A true sensory journey awaits you: tea ceremonies, martial arts demonstrations, traditional drumming, and ancestral workshops. Discover the captivating history of this Marseille oasis and the festive program that awaits you there.
From the Botanical Garden to Kobe Bay: The Spirit of Japan Comes Alive at Borély Park
Every year, the Édouard-Marie Heckel Botanical Garden becomes the setting for a unique celebration: Akimatsuri, the Autumn Festival. Much more than just a festive gathering, this free event, hosted at the Museum of Living Things in Borély Park, embodies the special bond that unites Marseille with the city of Kobe. Forged in 1961, this historic 65-year-old sister-city relationship fosters fruitful cooperation in the areas of the environment, heritage, and urban planning.
It was in this spirit of cultural exchange that the Japanese Garden was conceived. A true gem spanning 1,700 m²amidst the 3,500 species of the botanical garden, this site—designed in the traditional Japanese style—invites visitors to meditate. Every element follows the ancestral rules of the “ three depths ”: pure water at the center, rocks that shelter spirits, and the iconic red bridge marking the passage to the spiritual world. Surrounded by maple trees, camellias, and anemones, the “path of dew ” leads to the tea pavilion, offering a poetic and authentic escape right in the heart of the city.
Tea ceremonies, martial arts, and traditional workshops: the program for the 2026 Fall Festival
For an entire weekend, the botanical garden comes alive with some twenty booths and stages dedicated to Japanese craftsmanship. Visitors can attend a solemn tea ceremony, try their hand at Japanese calligraphy, or discoverthe art of kitsuke to learn how to wear a traditional kimono. As for performances,martial arts demonstrations are complemented by the poetry of folktales, folk dances, and the resonant power of drums. Flower-arranging and embroidery workshops round out this immersive journey into the heart of tradition.
Practical information to help you plan your visit:
📅: Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission and workshops at 5 p.m.).
💸: This event is completely free and open to everyone
🎟️: Free admission to the Musée du Vivant in Borély Park (8th arrondissement).
