The annual Bon Odori 2026 Japanese Cultural Festival was held in grand style at the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) premises in Maharagama, further strengthening the long-standing cultural friendship and bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Japan.The festival was jointly organized by the Embassy of Japan Srilanka , the National Youth Services Council, the japan Solidarity Association and OISCA.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinidu Saman Hennayake, Mr. KAMOSHIDA Naoaki, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Japan, NYSC Chairman and Director General Attorney-at-Law Supun Wijeyaratne, Board Member Anuradha Meghawarna, and Director (Administration) Manula Chamal Perera, among other distinguished guests.
The colorful celebration featured a variety of traditional and modern Japanese cultural performances. Students from the Colombo Japanese School and Lanka Nippon BizTech Institute (LNBTI), dressed in traditional Yukata, performed the iconic Bon Odori dance accompanied by the powerful rhythms of Wadaiko (Japanese taiko drums). The audience was also treated to impressive Karate demonstrations by NYSC students and energetic J-Pop dance performances by JICA volunteers.
As part of the festival, prizes were presented to the winners of the final round of the Nodojiman Japanese Song Contest, recognizing outstanding talent in Japanese-language singing.
Visitors also enjoyed an authentic Japanese cultural experience through a range of interactive stalls featuring traditional Japanese cuisine, including sushi, ramen, and tempura. Cultural exhibits and activities such as origami, bonsai, and traditional Japanese games provided participants with an opportunity to explore Japan's rich cultural heritage.
Bon Odori 2026 once again highlighted the enduring friendship between Sri Lanka and Japan while promoting cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and stronger people-to-people ties between the two nations.
