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Weddings

About

Update - January 2026

Weddings at Nikkei Place

Whether you are planning an engagement party, bridal shower, or a full wedding ceremony and reception, the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre is a Burnaby-based venue that offers an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable event. Our expert staff will work with you to ensure your special day is flawlessly executed from start to finish.

With a building designed by award-winning architects Raymond & Jason Moriyama, our facility celebrates Japanese Canadian culture and heritage through sustainable, high-quality design. Our signature Japanese garden, maintained by the Vancouver Japanese Gardener’s Association, provides a picturesque setting for ceremonies and photography.

Ceremony & Reception Packages

Our venue offers several versatile spaces to accommodate everything from intimate gatherings to large celebrations:

  • Hayashi Hall (Special Event Hall): Our largest space, featuring high ceilings and natural light.
    • Capacity: Up to 320 guests for seated banquets; up to 350–400 for ceremonies.
  • Ellipse Lobby: A romantic, unique curved space with high ceilings and pillars representing the Hinoki Cypress and Western Red Cedar.
    • Capacity: Up to 120 guests for receptions; up to 150 for ceremonies.
  • Nikkei Garden: A beautiful outdoor setting for cocktail receptions and ceremonies.
    • Capacity: Up to 200 guests for ceremonies. (Includes the Ellipse Lobby as a rain backup for up to 150 guests).
  • Matsu Room: A bright, carpeted room with a kitchenette, perfect for smaller receptions.
    • Capacity: Up to 40 guests.

Services Offered

Our reception packages are designed to provide a seamless experience and typically include:

  • Flexible Access: Use of Hayashi Hall from 2 pm to 1 am (Platinum packages available until 2 am).
  • Catering Freedom: Use of our spacious Community Kitchen for your preferred outside caterer.
  • Beverage Policy: No corkage fees—you are welcome to bring and serve your own alcohol.
  • Parking: Complimentary underground parking for your guests.
  • Preparation Spaces: Two dedicated dressing rooms.
  • Logistics: Full set-up and take-down of banquet tables and chairs.
  • Equipment: Portable bar rental, podium, and microphone rental.
  • Security: One security guard included for the duration of your event.
  • Photography: Access to the beautiful outdoor garden for photo shoots.
  • Licensing: Entandem (SOCAN and Re:Sound) fees are included in packages.
  • Professional Support: Recommendations for local catering, decoration, floral, and other related services.

Other Facilities

For smaller gatherings, board meetings, or specialized events, we offer:

  • Intergenerational Room 105: Includes a small residential-style kitchen.
  • Matsu Room: A bright, carpeted room with a kitchenette, perfect for a small party.
  • Tsubaki Room 200: Ideal for boardroom-style meetings. Features a small piano; excellent for small choir or music class.
  • Kaede Room 210: Suitable for workshops and meetings.

Events Hosted

In addition to weddings, we are honored to host a wide range of life celebrations and functions, including:

  • Meetings and Corporate Workshops
  • Exhibits and Trade Shows
  • Birthday Parties
  • Bridal & Baby Showers
  • Graduations
  • Christmas Parties
  • Memorials & Celebrations of Life

About the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre

The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history and culture of Japanese Canadians. We offer engaging exhibitions, educational programs, and community events that explore the heritage and contributions of Japanese Canadians to Canada. We also celebrate Japanese culture through a variety of programs and events, fostering intercultural understanding and appreciation.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

No Minimum

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

8

Describe your venue:

Banquet hall
Museum

Describe the style of your venue:

Classic
Garden
Modern

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception

What event services do you offer?

Clean up
Outside vendors
Set up

What bar services do you provide?

Outside alcohol

What event items are available?

Chairs
Tables

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair access

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$3,700

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$2,700

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$1,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$750

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Chairs
Tables
Parking

Reviews for Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre

Matt & Guen
Guen Sent on 31/01/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful Venue

I chose the Nikkei Centre as both my ceremony and reception venue because of how gorgeous the venue already is. I found that I did not have to decorate much of the inside because the venue itself was clean and had an air of pride and culture. We had our ceremony in the lobby and I was able to walk down the stairs towards the altar. I found that walking down the stairs allowed all of my guests to see me and I to see them. The reception area was large and it fit our 140 guests, 17 tables, photobooth, bar, DJ area and dance floor comfortably. The venue has a stage but we opted for the raised mini stage to allow our guests to come up to us. The kitchen is very large and was highly praised by our catering team. The venue also had a security guard walking the perimeter to ensure the safety of our guests.

Most importantly the Nikkei Centre allowed my best friend, my dog to be our Ring Bearer. I wrote to the Nikkei Centre requesting for permission and they granted me this wish. I truly am grateful for this.

Karah the venue coordinator was very friendly and easy to communicate with. She answered my questions promptly and ensured that the rehearsal and wedding day went smoothly. The Nikkei Centre's team set up the tables and chairs, which was very helpful.

I have no complaints about this venue. It was worth every penny.
C
Celia Sent on 16/07/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We had our wedding ceremony on the lawn and the reception in the lobby area for about 90 guests. The whole experience went without a hitch and the event coordinator was super easy to deal with - almost too nice. The venue itself was super unique and they were extremely open and accommodating to all of our requests (some odd ones in there). Choosing this venue made our wedding actually very stress free because they helped so much coordinating with all of the other vendors. 100% recommendations for Karah and the Nikkei centre staff and venue.
A
Alex Sent on 10/01/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Lovely staff who were accommodating and highly responsive, despite our event planning falling in the middle of a mat leave. We would definitely recommend Nikkei as a venue to others! The garden area was plus for our guests and the large kitchen and loading area was a big plus for our caterers.
A
Anonymous Sent on 17/02/2015
4.4 out of 5 rating
It is a very nice venue for wedding, very spacious and lot of parking. Both the bride and groom's room with in suite bathroom, very convenient.
The Japanese garden is good for photo taking.
A
Anonymous Sent on 17/02/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Beautiful venue for our wedding, impeccable staff!
A
Angela Sent on 24/10/2014
1.8 out of 5 rating
I’m not usually one to type a bad review, but with what my husband and I experienced, I feel a very strong and compelling desire to do so. After a drawn diagram of the rented space (the lobby), we paid the securing deposit. One month later, we were informed that the rented space was smaller, which also opened up the room next door with windows that face into our rented space. We were informed that this may be used by another prospective renter, however, “since we are a wedding couple, they will offer a special rate of half off”. After one week of back and forth email discussions with staff members, including the Executive Director, it seemed that the only way to secure a formal meeting was to mention small claims court for return of the rented deposit, including the securing deposit paid to the caterer. This was eventually sorted; however, our experience moving forward did not change.
With our file being transferred through several staff members, confirmed information was not communicated with each passing person. For the final two months, our file was transferred to a staff member that worked one day a week. It was a common occurrence that questions or issues were continually delayed in our final weeks of wedding preparation.
There were two venue contacts on the wedding day. There were challenges in tracking these contacts when something was needed. The boys were relying on our rented showers to freshen up on a hot day. The shower were not working. Venue staff did not make any attempt to look into the shower, stating there is nothing they could do. Instead, the Day of Coordinator & Best Man got the venue’s shower working. To top off the night, venue staff asked about the return of their corded microphone. I had to ask the Emcee, call the DJ office (as the DJ had already left) and along with several guests, confirmed that we did not use their corded microphone (we used the DJ`s wireless microphone).
This is only a small fraction of our experience.
A
Anonymous Sent on 13/01/2014
5 out of 5 rating
Kaoru and Karen were very helpful and easy to work with! The venue provided a unique setting for our wedding ceremony. We had the option of having the ceremony outdoors (our original plan) or indoors. Due to the rain, we had to move inside, but having the option of both sites in our booking took away one less stressful thing to think about. There was ample parking for all of our guests.
A
Anonymous Sent on 13/01/2014
4.8 out of 5 rating
Overall, we were very happy with our experience in planning our wedding day and the day itself. The coordinators were extremely friendly, helpful and reasonable with our requests.

The venue provided us with exactly what we were looking for, a large space for our ceremonies, reception and dinner, all at Nikkei Centre. The Japanese setting, architecture, and garden were gorgeous in person and in pictures. It also had a large kitchen space for our caterers, portable bar for rental, and no corkage fee to allow for an open bar for the night.

Things to keep in mind: although this is a private event, the venue is still a public facility and there are no guarantees for privacy. We did not encounter any issues though.

The venue discourages the use of helium balloons due to the high ceiling and the risk of one escaping and setting off the alarm at night.
K
Krystel Sent on 05/12/2013
5 out of 5 rating
Beautiful venue. The staff were always helpful and very flexible when setting up appointments to view the venue with our crazy work schedule. Great location. Would definitely host another party here again one day!!
A
Anonymous Sent on 05/12/2013
3.8 out of 5 rating
Nikkei was a wonderful venue for our wedding! We had a lot of positive feedback from our guests. The only criticism I had was in regards to the contact person. We were trying to dim the lights and my wedding coordinator could not find him even though he said he'd be on the premises. It took her about 20 minutes to find him and then finally dim the lights. Otherwise, the place was nice and spacious and I really appreciated having the private bathroom for myself and my bridesmaids to use.
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6688 Southoaks Crescent V5E 4M7 Burnaby (British Columbia)

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