Japanese Cultural Fiesta Captivates with Diverse Exhibitors at AJU Matsuri 2026
From artisan crafts, flea-market finds, and street-food delights to pop-culture immersion, exhibitors created an unforgettable experience on March 15.
New Delhi, March 15, 2026: Gurugram transformed into a Japanese wonderland on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with AJU Matsuri filling Hinode’s Basement Banquet Hall in Sector 15. Free entry and proximity to Millennium City Centre Metro (Yellow Line) drew families, anime fans, and culture enthusiasts for a full day of vibrant stalls, interactive zones, and authentic experiences, continuing AJU Japanese Hotel’s legacy from the 2025 Autumn Matsuri.
Exhibitors stole the show with specialised offerings that blended tradition, pop culture, and innovation, providing attendees with hands-on access to Japanese-inspired products and services.
Food Vendors like KURO Cafe dished out steaming ramen bowls, while DI Park specialised in fluffy takoyaki and mochi treats; Dango Tokyo offered kushiyaki grilled skewers, delivering savoury street-food aromas that drew long queues early.
Craft and Handicraft Booths featured Surkh Handicrafts with colourful crochet accessories and home decor; Yasu Craft showcased intricate origami kits and paper art supplies; Weeb Bazaar displayed anime character goodies; Yasu Craft brought pottery and tea ceremony sets for interactive demos.
Fashion and Lifestyle Stalls included Inspiration Lab’s DIY anime-inspired jewellery-making workshops; Cotton House Delhi presented soft cotton apparel with Japanese motifs; and Frangipani served refreshing teas and mocktails alongside wellness blends.
Celebrity Japanese YouTuber, influencer, and actor Mayo Japan made a special appearance, showcasing her range of t-shirts featuring popular anime brands – Chibi Maruco-chan, Coji Coji, and Pani Puri Daisuki. Her stall attracted a huge amount of visitors, most of whom were part of her huge fandom in India.
ACN Network, a prominent media collaborator tied to Asian Community News, engaged visitors through promotional materials on East Asian events, cultural diplomacy updates, and networking for Japanese expat communities, fostering connections for future festivals and news coverage.
The flea market was another big attraction for the Indian visitors in particular, as three of the booths here exhibited a wide range of household products. Takako Kemmotsu, Expat Coordinator & Secretary to the President, General Affairs, said that March was the month when Japanese expats left for home, and before leaving India, they wanted to dispose of their household goods.
She said events like this were a useful platform for disposing of household materials at a reasonable price. The material was contributed by the Honda Cars India Limited’s Japanese executives who were returning to Japan in March.
Akshay Soni, Content Creator, visiting the event, said, “This is a great initiative by Prakash San, the owner of Aju Group of Hotels. It provides unique experiences and opportunities that Japanese learners usually don’t get. One of the main attractions of this event is the flea market, where you can find rare items commonly used by Japanese people but not usually available in India.”
By profession, Akshay works as a motion graphic artist at an advertising agency. Apart from that, a regular at such events, he actively contributed to spreading Japanese culture through his Instagram page, @Yume_ga_aru. My content showcases Japanese activities and culture while also helping others explore Japanese-related opportunities in the city.
Speciality Zones buzzed with Musubi te Foundation’s charitable artisan goods supporting community causes; Musubi offered elegant hair accessories and knotwork jewellery; Iroha specialised in Japanese bakery; Aditi’s Palette and Jai Anime Collection debuted fusion fashion palettes blending anime aesthetics with Indian embroidery for stylish attendees.
These booths not only sold items but hosted mini-workshops and photo ops, turning passive browsing into engaging activities.
Cosplay displays and live craft sessions amplified the festive spirit, bridging India’s urban youth with Japanese heritage amid Gurugram’s thriving expat scene. Despite AQI hovering at 335, the indoor venue ensured comfort, syncing with Delhi-NCR’s lively weekend calendar. AJU Matsuri solidified the city’s status as an East Asian hub, delighting fans of such events.
Prakash Yadav, CMD, Aju Group of Hotels, said, “Successfully completed Aju Matsuri yesterday with a wonderful turnout and vibrant energy. It was great to see so many people come together to celebrate culture, community, and friendship. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported, participated, and contributed to making this event a success. Your encouragement and presence mean a lot.”
