Japanese Culture Convention Japan Habba to Take Place in Bangalore This May

After last year’s hiatus due to the pandemic, the annual Indo-Japanese cultural convention, Japan Habba, is returning to its original in-person form.

With official support from the Consulate-General of Japan in Bengaluru, the Japan Foundation, and the Japan External Trade Organization, as well as sponsorship from a wide range of Japanese companies, including Sony, Rakuten, Fujitsu, and Brother, Japan Habba attracts over 6,000 enthusiasts of Japanese traditional and pop culture from across India.

Japan Habba will begin with the Tech and Jobs Fair

This year’s event, which marks the 19th edition of Japan Habba, will take place over two days, starting with the Tech & Jobs Fair on Saturday, May 13. The fair is designed to provide students and professionals interested in pursuing a career with Japanese connections with an opportunity to learn more about the industry and connect with potential employers.

More about the cultural festival

On Sunday, May 14, the main cultural festival will take place, featuring a dedicated hall for pop culture events, including stalls selling anime merchandise and manga, a special Pokémon Go event, and a Super Smash Bros Ultimate tournament, among other things. The Super Smash Bros Ultimate tournament has a prize pool of Rs. 22,000 and will take place on May 14 at 11:30 AM.

Japan Habba will also feature the latest edition of Animathon, which the organisers claim to be India’s largest anime and manga quiz, expected to be attended by hundreds of participants. Attendees can also enjoy informative talk sessions on anime and manga, a karaoke contest featuring anisongs, and a cosplay showcase with over 50 cosplayers taking the stage.

Traditional Japanese events

Alongside the pop culture events, attendees can immerse themselves in traditional Japanese culture, such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, ikebana, and origami, as well as sample a variety of traditional Japanese food. The main stage will feature cross-cultural performances by Japanese and Indian nationals, culminating in a performance from Tomokuni Terukina, a sanshin master of the Afuso-ryu school.

According to Tsutomu Nakane, Consul-General of Japan in Bengaluru, “Japan and India have historically maintained a close relationship, and Japan Habba provides a platform for Indians and Japanese to share culture and history. Indians can deepen their knowledge of Japan through a variety of cultural events and performances. We hope that many of you will come and enjoy Japan even more.”

Japan Habba 2023 venue

Japan Habba will take place at the National Science Seminar Complex and the Satish Dhawan Auditorium, both located within the Indian Institute of Science. Tickets are available exclusively on BookMyShow.

Japan Habba has been held annually in Bengaluru since 2005, with the goal of promoting Indo-Japanese relations and providing an opportunity for people to learn more about Japan, interact with like-minded individuals, and experience Japanese culture.