Japan Foundation Toronto closes its library and gallery: what's gone and what's left

That chapter is over. The Japan Foundation, Toronto (JFT) has closed its physical library and gallery as it gets ready to move to a new office, and its event spaces are closing with them.

Below we cover what has ended, what is still available, and the details JFT has not announced yet.

What changed, and when

In a notice dated July 13, 2026, JFT said it would move to a new office by the end of 2026. It also said it would end its public lending library, gallery and event spaces as part of the move. JFT described the decision as part of a broader review of how the Japan Foundation's offices around the world are structured and what they do.

The notice set out this timeline:

JFT notes that the schedule may still be updated. Its library page confirms that the physical library closed on October 9, 2026, and says work at the new location should begin in winter 2027. JFT says more details will come later.

Why this matters for Toronto's Japan community

The library was big. JFT describes it as a public lending library for anyone interested in Japan. Its collection held more than 20,000 print and audiovisual items in English, Japanese and French, with a focus on language study, art, literature, history and culture.

The venue also has a long history. According to JFT's About Us page, the Japan Foundation opened its Toronto office in November 1990, and the office became a Cultural Centre in April 1995. On September 1, 2015, it moved to 2 Bloor St. East, on the third floor of the Hudson's Bay Centre.

The same page says the centre had a library, a seminar room and an event hall that worked as either a gallery or an auditorium. Other Japan-related educational and cultural groups sometimes used these rooms for workshops.

Our view: For Japanese speakers in Canada, and for Canadians learning Japanese, this is a real loss. A free, walk-in library of Japanese-language and Japan-focused material is hard to replace. People who used the gallery and hall for community activities will also need to find new venues.

What remains available

The biggest thing that continues is the JF Canada Digital Library. JFT says it will keep running without interruption during and after the move. Its visitor policy states that the digital library is available 24/7 to residents of Canada and the USA.

The digital library offers ebooks and audiobooks. According to JFT's collection and services page, you need a valid Japan Foundation Toronto Library card number to borrow. To sign in, you enter your card number and a PIN, which is the last four digits of your phone number. JFT's library page says the service is accessed through the Libby app, at libbyapp.com/library/jf.

Part of the physical collection will also stay. JFT says that after the move, some of the existing collection will be kept as a reference resource. You will be able to request items or borrow them by interlibrary loan. JFT has not yet published how requests will work or which items it is keeping.

Outside the library, JFT says it will keep running programs across Canada, including collaborations, grants and online programming. It also plans to hold occasional events in the meeting spaces at its new location.

If you have questions about the digital library, JFT's digital library page says residents of Canada can email the library at library_jftoronto@jpf.go.jp.

What we don't know yet

Several practical details have not been announced:

• The new address. JFT says relocation details will be announced in early December 2026.
• How reference requests and interlibrary loans will work. JFT says details will come later.
• Farewell events. The July notice said JFT planned a series of events at its current centre before the move, listed on a special event page called "Journey onto JFT's Next Chapter." We could not confirm the dates of any remaining events. Check JFT's site directly.
• Library cards. We could not confirm whether new library cards are still being issued now that the physical library has closed. If you want to use the digital library, ask the library by email.

Our view: The digital library is the easiest option to keep using for now. Anyone who mainly relied on printed Japanese books may want to check JFT's announcements in December.

Staying connected

Now that a familiar meeting place has closed, community networks matter even more for sharing book recommendations, study groups and cultural events. You can ask questions and swap local tips on the DOJI community board, and look for Japan-related events in your city on DOJI Events.

If you're a Japanese speaker in Canada or interested in Japanese culture, join DOJI to stay up to date as JFT announces its new location.