North East Japan Caravan 2025-26 begins in Kohima with films, cosplay, workshops and cultural activities promoting India-Japan ties.
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KOHIMA — The North East Japan Caravan 2025-26, organised by the Embassy of Japan in India in collaboration with The Japan Foundation, New Delhi, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (North East), got underway at the State Hall, Kohima, on Saturday.
The two-day festival will showcase events ranging from Japanese film screenings, cosplay, yukata try-on experience, Japanese calligraphy, origami workshops, Japanese language activities and other interactive cultural programs. According to the organisers, the event is free and open to all.
Takashi Kobayashi, first secretary of EOJ, in his address, expressed gratitude to the Government of Nagaland for its support and hospitality.
He said that during the two-day event the people will enjoy contemporary Japanese movies and also experience both contemporary and traditional aspects of Japan.
Kobayashi further encouraged those interested in Japanese culture to continue and grow by learning more about Japan.
He also expressed hope that the event will bring the people one step closer to Japan.
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Kurume Otake, director of the Japan Foundation, also expressed gratitude to the people of Nagaland for the warm welcome to Nagaland.
She also shared about the objectives of the Japan Foundation and said that programmes like this will strengthen the ties between India and Japan, especially in the North East region.
Advisor for Art and Culture, Treasuries and Accounts, K Konngam Konyak, in his speech, said that events such as the North East Japan Caravan serve as a powerful reminder that culture is one of the strongest bridges between nations.
He noted that although geography may separate countries, art, music, language and traditions bring people together in meaningful ways.
He stated that over the years the friendship between India and Japan has grown stronger not only through economic and strategic partnerships but also through people-to-people connections and cultural exchanges.
Konyak remarked that Japan’s remarkable ability to preserve its ancient traditions while embracing modern innovation continues to inspire the world.
He expressed the belief that platforms such as the North East Japan Caravan create valuable opportunities for interaction, learning and collaboration between people, especially the youth.
He went on to state that for young artists, students and cultural practitioners in Nagaland, the initiative offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with Japanese culture.
Such experiences, he added, encourage curiosity, creativity and a deeper understanding of the world beyond their borders.
The advisor also assured that the state government, through the Department of Art and Culture, remains committed to promoting cultural exchange and supporting initiatives that connect local artists and communities with the global cultural landscape.
He further expressed hope that the caravan would open new avenues for collaboration between the North East region of India and Japan in the fields of art, education, language learning, cultural tourism and creative industries.
On the first day of the festival, there was dance and song performance by ICCR and ARMS, as well as a judo demonstration by the Nagaland Judo Association along with other activities, and a movie screening of “Recall.”
On the second day, there will be a cosplay performance by Nagaland Anime Junkies, JF presentations and a movie screening of “We make antiquest! Kyoto rendezvous,” among other activities.