Ahmedabad: To commemorate 50 memorable years of Indo-Japan friendship, the Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat (IJFA) is hosting ‘Goldfest 2026’ from January 10 to 14, 2026, featuring a series of cultural, culinary, and artistic events. The festival will celebrate not only IJFA’s golden jubilee but also the first anniversary of the Hamamatsu–Ahmedabad Sister City Relationship and the first anniversary of the Shizuoka Prefecture–Gujarat Sister State Partnership.

The festival will bring together participants from Shizuoka and Hamamatsu, with kites, music, and Japanese green tea (matcha) emerging as the central attractions under the theme “Kem Cho – Konnichiwa.”

Japanese Kite Exhibition Inaugurated at AMA

The celebrations began with the inauguration of a unique Japanese kite exhibition titled “Patang-O-Dori” at the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) by Ms Megumi Shimada, Consul for Cultural Affairs at the Consulate-General of Japan, Mumbai. The event was attended by Mukesh Patel, Honorary Consul of Japan in Ahmedabad, along with several Japanese dignitaries.

The exhibition highlights the cultural bond between Hamamatsu, known as Japan’s kite capital, and Ahmedabad, the heart of India’s kite traditions. Visitors can view vividly coloured kites and traditional lanterns gifted by Hamamatsu City, while displays trace the history of kite flying in Japan alongside Ahmedabad’s iconic Uttarayan heritage.

Ms Shimada said, “Across continents and memories, Hamamatsu and Ahmedabad have formed an enduring bond. Though separated by geography and language, both cities are united by shared aspirations.”

Mukesh Patel added, “In both Japan and India, kites symbolise community spirit, family ties, and the celebration of life.”

Three Pillars of Goldfest 2026

The festival is structured around three core cultural experiences:

Patang-O-Dori (Japanese Kite Festival): A fusion of Japanese and Ahmedabad kite traditions under the theme “Dancing in the Sky with Amdavadi Patang.”

Music Symphony (Nihon-no-Ongaku): Workshops, seminars, and concerts blending Indian and Japanese music traditions.

O-Cha Utsav: Culinary workshops and tastings showcasing Shizuoka’s renowned green tea and matcha, titled “Festive Flavours from the Green Hills of Shizuoka.”

In collaboration with Yamaha Corporation (Japan) and Yamaha Music India, IJFA Gujarat is hosting an educational initiative titled “Discover the Joy of Music” for school students. More than 400 students have already participated in immersive workshops featuring hands-on experiences with musical instruments.

A special symposium on “Music for Innovation and Creativity” was also held at AMA, bringing together musicians, educators, researchers, and technology experts from both countries. Speakers included senior Japanese and Indian cultural leaders, highlighting how music fosters creativity, cognitive development, and cross-cultural understanding.

As part of Goldfest, IJFA Gujarat, along with Shizuoka Prefecture, IJ Kakehashi Services, and Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad, is organising the “O-Cha Utsav – Japanese Green Tea and Matcha Culinary Workshop.”

This programme will be held on Sunday, January 11 during 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Hyatt Regency, Ashram Road. Participants will experience live demonstrations, tastings, and learn about the health benefits of green tea using authentic Sencha and Matcha sourced directly from Shizuoka.

A major highlight will be the “Patang-O-Dori: Japanese Kite Flying Demonstration” on January 14, 2026 (Uttarayan morning) at Shreyas Foundation, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad.

A 15-member delegation of expert kite flyers from Hamamatsu, led by Mayor Yusuke Nakano, will showcase traditional Japanese kite-flying techniques accompanied by cultural performances. The event will be attended by prominent dignitaries including former Indian Ambassador to Japan Sujan Chinoy, senior officials from Shizuoka Prefecture, and Ahmedabad civic leaders. DeshGujarat