Japan Festival 2026 in Dhaka – A Colorful Celebration of Japanese Culture

With the cooperation of the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Japan Festival 2026 was held on September 18, 2026, at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. The festival provided visitors with an opportunity to discover Japan’s diverse and rich cultural heritage.

The festival was organized for the first time in seven years. At the opening ceremony, H.E. Saida Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, delivered remarks. The Honourable State Minister of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, H.E. A. Naitay Ray Chowdhury, attended the event as the chief guest.

Following the opening ceremony, visitors enjoyed a variety of performances showcasing both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. The program began with demonstrations of traditional Japanese martial arts, including karate and kendo.

One of the major attractions of the festival was a live musical performance by the Japanese musical duo Bajna Beat. They performed together with Bangladeshi artists, making the cultural exchange even more vibrant and engaging. The cultural program concluded with a captivating performance by traditional Japanese dancer Mr. Senju Einojo.

Visitors also had opportunities to gain hands-on experience with various aspects of Japanese culture at the festival venue. These included job and employment networking, Japanese language learning, wearing traditional Japanese clothing, and participating in other Japanese cultural activities. There were also exhibitions showcasing traditional Japanese arts and cultural practices, including bonsai and ikebana.

Visitors enjoyed a variety of Japanese dishes prepared by a chef from the Embassy of Japan. In addition, students had the opportunity to receive information and guidance from advisers about higher education in Japan and opportunities for studying abroad.

The return of the Japan Festival after seven years created an important opportunity to further strengthen cultural connections between Bangladesh and Japan. Through the festival, people in Bangladesh had the opportunity to learn about and experience Japan’s traditions, arts, music, dance, cuisine, and contemporary cultural diversity firsthand.

Md Biozid Jessorey