Record turnout, 130 artists from Japan, including two Sumo wrestlers, gourmet streets, and interactive experiences marked the largest-ever 9th edition. New Delhi [India], December 15: Delhi stepped into the sights, sounds, and flavours of Japan as the Konnichiwa Japan Festival 2025 began at Select CITYWALK, Saket. Held from December 13–14, the two-day extravaganza transformed the popular open-air mall into a vibrant showcase of Japanese culture, pop energy, cuisine, and Indo-Japan friendship—becoming one of the capital’s biggest year-end cultural celebrations.
By the end of the weekend, more than 60,000 visitors had attended the festival, making it the most successful edition yet.
Reflecting on the extraordinary turnout, Markus, Chairman of the Konnichiwa Japan Club, said,
“Seeing over 60,000 people walk through the festival was both humbling and inspiring. It reaffirmed how deeply Delhi embraces Japanese culture, from traditional arts to modern pop expressions. Our goal has always been to build a cultural bridge, and this year’s response showed that the bridge is stronger than ever.”
The festival opened with an electrifying line-up of more than 130 Japanese artists, including two sumo wrestlers, delivering a high-energy programme that blended tradition with contemporary Japan. Visitors explored stage performances, hands-on workshops, interactive zones, and food streets designed for families, students, Japan enthusiasts, and industry visitors alike.
Held under the theme “Japan Meets India,” the event brought together heritage and modern expression. Taiko drumming, martial arts and sumo demonstrations, tea ceremonies, bonsai and calligraphy corners, kimono and yukata try-ons, and colourful cosplay parades were complemented by anime, gaming, and J-music segments, drawing strong participation from younger audiences.
Organisers curated the 2025 edition as a complete “walk-through Japan in a weekend,” with distinct zones dedicated to culture, travel, food, business, education, and technology—offering visitors a 360-degree experience of Japan.
Food once again took centre stage. A dynamic Japanese food street featured stalls serving sushi, ramen, tempura, desserts, and speciality beverages. For newcomers, it offered an inviting introduction to Japanese flavours; for regular attendees, it brought new culinary brands and restaurants entering the Delhi-NCR scene.
Beyond culture and cuisine, the festival continued to serve as a platform for deeper people-to-people exchange and business engagement. Information booths on travel, education in Japan, language learning, and corporate collaboration connected visitors with trusted Japanese and Indian institutions.
Commenting on the festival’s impact, Prakash Yadav, Vice President of the Konnichiwa Japan Club, noted, “This year’s edition proved that cultural diplomacy is most powerful when people experience it firsthand. Families, students, professionals—everyone walked away with a personal connection to Japan. That is the real success of Konnichiwa Japan 2025.”
For Delhi’s expanding J-culture community—anime fans, manga readers, language learners, cosplayers, and students—the December weekend was promoted as a must-attend gathering. With free public access, a central venue, and full-day programming, the festival celebrated the growing warmth of Indo-Japanese cultural exchange.
The event was spearheaded by the Konnichiwa Japan Club, supported by partners including the World Heritage Academy, Japan Foundation New Delhi, and the India Japan Friendship Forum, along with industry supporters such as Isuzu Motors India, Asahi Breweries, and Aju Ryokan Hotel. Select CITYWALK, Saket, served as the venue partner.
Working closely with community radio partner Superhits 93.5 Red FM and media partner ACN Network and business organisations like JCCII, the executive committee positioned the festival as both a cultural showcase and a platform for corporate and community engagement—culminating in a record-breaking turnout of over 60,000 delighted visitors.
(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR