Ottawa’s Festival Japan Restaurant closes after nearly twenty years

On Saturday, Festival Japan Restaurant on Kent Street shut its doors for good. Dec. 21, 2025. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

A Japanese restaurant in the capital’s downtown core closed its doors for good this weekend after nearly two decades of business.

On Monday, Festival Japan Restaurant announced its final day of operations would be Saturday, Dec. 20.

The restaurant at 149 Kent Street had been serving Japanese cuisine in Centretown for close to 20 years.

“Since opening in 2006, it has been our greatest honor to serve you, share in your celebrations, and become a part of this community,” owner Samantha Liu wrote in a Facebook post Monday.

“Your support, loyalty, and shared love for authentic Japanese cuisine have been the heart of our restaurant. We cherish every memory created within these walls.”

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