The Information and Culture Centre
The Information and Culture Centre of the Embassy of Japan provides an information service and promotes Japanese culture in Canada. The Centre includes an auditorium, a Japanese garden which changes with the seasons and an area where people can sit and browse through Japan-related books in our lending library.
Hours of Operation
| Monday to Friday: | 9:00 - 12:15 13:30 - 16:45 |
| Telephone: | 613-241-8541 |
| Email: | infocul@ot.mofa.go.jp |
The Centre is closed on days the Embassy is closed.
Please contact the Centre before visiting to ensure that it is open.
The Information and Culture Section maintains a Cultural Newsletter which provides updates on Embassy and Japan-related events in Ottawa. Click here to sign up.
Lending Library
The Centre maintains a lending library of books, CDs and DVDs. If you wish to borrow books, please check the Lending Policy for books/CDs/DVDs.
Information Access
We answer general enquiries about Japan and Japanese culture. Enquiries can be made by telephone, letter or email. If we cannot answer your enquiry directly we will be happy to put you in touch with other organizations which may be able to help you. For general information about Japan, we recommend visiting the following webpage here. Please contact Japan National Tourism Organization for travel information.
Media
We assist the media in Canada with its coverage of news and current events relating to Japan.
The Foreign Press Centre, an independent organization in Japan, assists the foreign press with its coverage of news and current events relating to Japan and it has an invitation program which enables foreign journalists to visit Japan.
School Visit Program
Through the School Visit Program, we will visit schools to introduce Japan and Japanese culture to students in Canada. This program is available in English and French to schools in Ottawa and Gatineau.
JET Programme Canada
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme aims to enhance foreign language education and promote international exchange at the local level through fostering of ties between Japanese youth and foreign youth alike.
Eligibility: bachelor's degree of any discipline, native level of English fluency, Canadian citizenship
Benefits: paid roundtrip ticket, paid holidays off, medical and accident insurance, orientation and teacher training, visas issued to you and your dependents, rent subsidies, progressive salary.
Positions: Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) or Coordinator of International Relations (CIR)
Application: application opens mid-October. Create an account and gather the required documents before the deadline.
See our JET Programme page to learn about the participants and their experiences.
Exchanges and Scholarships
We administer several programs offered by the Government of Japan including:
MEXT Scholarships- For post-secondary education in Japan
- A two-month experience on board a ship with over 250 youth from around the world with the aim of improving international understanding
We provide information on Japan-related programs not administered by the Centre, including:
The Japan Foundation- Arts/cultural exchange
- Japanese language/studies abroad
- Intellectual exchange
- Fellowship administered by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)