Record turnout marks largest-ever Konnichiwa Japan festival in capital

Record turnout, 130 artists from Japan including two sumo wrestlers gourmet streets and interactive experiences marked the largest-ever ninth edition of the Konnichiwa Japan Festival 2025 at Select CITYWALK, Saket, as Delhi immersed itself in the sights, sounds and flavours of Japan.

Held over December 13-14 , the two-day festival transformed the open-air mall into a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture, cuisine, pop entertainment and Indo-Japan friendship, drawing over 60,000 visitors , the highest attendance in the festival’s history .

The event highlighted how Japan’s cultural exports have captured global imagination, from anime and manga to gaming, music and fashion, with strong participation from Delhi’s expanding community of anime fans, cosplayers, language learners and students. Dedicated zones featuring J-music, gaming experiences and cosplay parades reflected the worldwide appeal of contemporary Japanese pop culture, particularly among younger audiences.

A diverse programme featuring more than 130 Japanese artists blended tradition with modern expression . Performances ranged from taiko drumming, martial arts and sumo demonstrations to tea ceremonies, bonsai displays, calligraphy workshops , and kimono and yukata try-ons , offering visitors an immersive, hands-on experience.

Organised under the theme “Japan Meets India,” the festival was curated as a “walk-through Japan in a weekend,” with dedicated zones focusing on culture, travel, food, education, business and technology. Organisers said the format enabled families, students and professionals to engage with Japan beyond entertainment, strengthening people-to-people connections.

Food remained a major draw, with a lively Japanese food street serving sushi, ramen, tempura, desserts and specialty beverages . The culinary showcase introduced newcomers to Japanese flavours while spotlighting new brands and restaurants entering the Delhi-NCR market .

Reflecting on the turnout, Markus, Chairman of the Konnichiwa Japan Club , said the response underscored Delhi’s growing affinity for Japanese culture, spanning classical arts and modern pop expressions. Prakash Yadav, Vice President of the Club , added that the festival demonstrated how cultural diplomacy becomes most effective through direct experience.

The festival was organised by the Konnichiwa Japan Club , with support from the Japan Foundation New Delhi , World Heritage Academy , and the India Japan Friendship Forum , alongside industry partners including Isuzu Motors India , Asahi Breweries , and Aju Ryokan Hotel . Select CITYWALK, Saket , served as the venue partner.

With free public access , a central venue and full-day programming, Konnichiwa Japan Festival 2025 reaffirmed its place as one of Delhi’s largest year-end cultural celebrations, reflecting the growing warmth and influence of Indo-Japanese cultural exchange.