I Love Sushi (The Japan Foundation Travelling Exhibition)

Established in 1972, the Japan Foundation creates global opportunities to cultivate friendship and ties between Japan and the world through culture, language, and dialogue. The Foundation operates programs in the fields of arts and cultural exchange, Japanese-language education overseas, and Japanese studies and intellectual exchange. As a new cultural exchange program, we are delighted to present a touring exhibition “I Love Sushi” that focuses on sushi, the most popular Japanese cuisine around the world.

In 2013, UNESCO inscribed washoku—Japanese cuisine—on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, and sushi is the archetypal example. Sushi is a refined and healthy food that looks good and tastes good, and it has already become a familiar item on menus worldwide. From its roots in Southeast Asia or Southern China, sushi reached Japan over a thousand years ago. Since then, sushi has radically changed, taking advantage of the abundance of natural resources found in and around the islands of Japan, of the application of knowledge and ideas to sushi, and of the never-ending Japanese drive to try good-tasting foods at the earliest opportunity. The type of sushi that first comes to mind for most people today is nigiri-zushi, which emerged about two hundred years ago in Edo, the city that we now know as Tokyo.

Sushi has now spread outside Japan’s borders, and is enjoyed around the world. But although it has become a familiar food, many people have only discovered a few of its attractions. This exhibition aims to provide an in-depth visual guide to the appeal of sushi. It includes the chance to learn about how Japan took in sushi in its original form, how it modified sushi to suit the natural environment, culture, and lifestyles of individual areas. It also introduces today’s vibrant sushi culture, and it encourages us to think about the potential of sushi as a food for the future in the light of contemporary food issues. The exhibition includes a simulation of a visit to a sushi shop in Japan. People who know little about sushi will greatly enjoy the exhibition, and keen fans of sushi will find it fascinating too. And we very much hope that through sushi, the exhibition will also communicate something about the history and customs of Japan.

Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to Hibino Terutoshi for his supervision of the preparations for this exhibition, and to all the other individuals and entities whose unstinting efforts have made the exhibition a success.

Admission: FREE

Advanced, time-specific reservations are recommended. Hand-sanitization at the entry and wearing face-coverings on our premises are encouraged.

Gallery Hours: Open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Hourly timeslots starting at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm (4:30 pm and 5:30 pm on Thursdays)

* Closed on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Select Saturdays, and Public Holidays.

** We will also be offering additional opening hours on the following dates:

• Monday, October 5 & Wednesday, October 7, 11:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Friday, October 9, 11:30 am – 6:30 pm (Exhibition Final Day)

Exhibition Period: September 15 – October 9, 2026

Library & Gallery Opening Hours

Related Programs:

A Deeper Dive into Sushi at JFT Library!

Planning to attend the JFT Gallery Exhibition I Love Sushi? Stop by JFT Library before or after your gallery visit to browse sushi-related books, manga, films, and ebooks/audiobooks in English and Japanese! Whether you’re curious about sushi’s history and traditions, fascinated by the artistry of sushi chefs, or eager to discover more about Japanese food culture through engaging stories and recipes, our collection offers something to enrich your visit and inspire further discovery, including:

• Jiro Dreams of Sushi [DVD] directed by David Gelb, a thoughtful documentary about legendary sushi chef ONO Jiro, exploring his pursuit of perfection, the artistry of sushi-making, and the complex relationship between a master chef and his son;
• Oishinbo: Fish, Sushi and Sashimi, Vol. 5 [Physical copy]by HANASAKI Akira & KARIYA Tetsu (Trans. MIYAKI Tetuichiro), a lively manga exploring Japanese food culture through culinary debates and father-son rivalries;
• Sushi for Kids [Physical Copy] by ONO Kaoru, a delightful and accessible introduction to sushi’s history, ingredients, and preparation;
• Super Sushi Ramen Express [Physical Copy & Ebook & Audiobook] by Michael Booth, a funny culinary journey through Japan’s regional flavors, food traditions, and the people behind Japan’s diverse food culture;
• Japan: The Ultimate Cookbook [Ebook] by OMURA Yuto, featuring 300 recipes and insights into Japanese cuisine, including sushi and sashimi, alongside explorations of regional ingredients and culinary traditions;

and more!

Although public lending of physical library materials concluded on Saturday, August 22, JFT library remains open to the public until our final day of opening on October 9, 2026. You are welcome to browse our books inside the library or enjoy DVDs and Blu-rays at our AV station during opening hours. For those who would like to read books outside of our library, JF Canada Digital Library remains available without interruption during and after the relocation.

Apply for a new digital library card or renew your expired card here.

Check JFT Library Visitor Policy