Tokyo: An unforgettable two days of Indian culture, cuisine and celebration unfolded at Namaste India 2026, as more than 200,000 people gathered at Tokyo’s iconic Yoyogi Park on September 26–27.
The 31st edition of Namaste India brought together the colours, flavours, music, dance and cultural traditions of India, giving visitors in the heart of Tokyo an immersive experience of the country’s rich cultural diversity. The festival featured Indian cuisine, shopping, cultural exhibitions, classical dance, Bollywood performances and live music. (Yoyogi Park Events & Festivals 2025)
The event, organised by the Namaste India Working Committee/NPO Society to Promote Indo-Japan Cultural Relations, is a major platform for cultural exchange between India and Japan. The festival was free to attend and used both the Yoyogi Park Event Plaza and Outdoor Stage. (Yoyogi Park Events & Festivals 2025)
A special cultural highlight was the participation of an Odissi Dance Group led by Gauri Shankar Dash, supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Alongside performances, food stalls, Indian products and booths of India-related organisations gave visitors opportunities to engage with different aspects of Indian culture. (Yoyogi Park Events & Festivals 2025)
For two days, Yoyogi Park effectively became a vibrant meeting point for Indian and Japanese communities, showcasing how cultural festivals can deepen people-to-people connections and strengthen the broader India-Japan relationship.
Namaste India 2026 once again turned Tokyo into a colourful celebration of India — bringing together food, art, music, tradition and friendship under one roof.