Located in the heart of Munich, the Item Shop is a cosy place for lovers of comics, games, cosplay and all things geek culture. A crowd-pleaser for many years, the Item Ahop not only offers a diverse range of meticulously curated merchandise, but also regularly hosts a variety of events: masterclasses, workshops, lectures and informal gatherings. It is truly a bastion of geek culture in Bavaria.

The Item Shop hosted a week-long event dedicated to Japanese culture. As part of the week-long affair, renowned artist Midori Harada gave a painting and autograph session for fans, as well as a fascinating talk on Japanese culture, anime and the origins of the cosplay subculture.

There were also masterclasses in handmade and DIY, anime drawing and calligraphy, as well as culinary workshops on how to prepare traditional Japanese dishes. These activities were orchestrated with the aim of immersing participants in the diverse tapestry of Japanese culture and traditions.

I documented all the key moments of this fascinating week in a video report for the participants and organisers.