Anime Meets Autumn Traditions as AJU Hinode Prepares for Two Japanese Celebrations in Gurugram

GURUGRAM: From anime quizzes and idol performances to making Japanese rice balls and discovering traditional crafts, two October celebrations at AJU Hinode will offer visitors different ways to experience Japan. The Sector 15 venue will host Zenya-Sai 2026 on Friday, October 2, followed by AJU “AKI” Matsuri on Sunday, October 11, connecting contemporary pop culture with food, creativity and community interaction.

The two programmes will cater to overlapping interests while retaining distinct identities. Zenya-Sai will put anime fandom, music and cosplay at centre stage, while the autumn Matsuri will invite visitors to explore a more hands-on programme under the theme “Taste & Touch with AJU.”

Presented by the Delhi Anime Club, in collaboration with Mela! Mela! Anime Japan!!, and with Ryokan Hotel AJU as the venue partner, Zenya-Sai will bring fans together for an afternoon built around participation and performance.

Entry and warm-up activities will begin at 12.30 pm, followed by an anime quiz at 12.45 pm. Interactive games and audience engagement activities will take over at 1.30 pm, giving visitors opportunities to join the programme beyond watching the stage.

An open-mic and anime-cover session at 2 pm will provide space for musical expression, followed at 3 pm by a DJ act and idol meet performance featuring Fukui-chan and ReLike. The combination of fan-led activities and guest performances will bring several aspects of anime culture into one afternoon.

At 4 pm, Yamanaka-san will introduce Mela! Mela! Anime Japan!!, connecting the gathering with the wider Japanese pop-culture celebration. Cosplay performances will follow at 4.30 pm, allowing participants to showcase their costumes and interpretations of favourite characters. Prize distribution is scheduled for 5.30 pm.

Nine days later, AJU Hinode will welcome visitors to AJU “AKI” Matsuri, scheduled from 11 am to 5 pm on October 11. Taking its name from the Japanese word for autumn, the festival will encourage visitors to see, touch, taste and create through a mix of workshops, wellness activities and culinary experiences.

Craft enthusiasts can make accessories using Indian fabrics with Kaseyyaka and create small motifs at the Surkh Handmade Closet handcraft workshop. VYUG will offer charms for purchase, while traditional vintage Japanese kokeshi dolls will add another element to the browsing experience.

The programme will also bring together several wellness and learning options. Wellness Centre Hasu No Shizuku will offer head massages, and Nagi Acupuncture and Wellness will provide reflexology sessions. Visitors will be able to try 15-minute Myonyoga yoga sessions, access medical health checks by Nura-Fujifilm, and explore English and Hindi trial lessons offered by Genesis.

Food-related activities will make tasting and making equally central to the Matsuri experience. Dia Park will offer choux pastry decoration, while matcha experience sessions will introduce visitors to another Japanese flavour. Yuzu drinks from Kiyori and speciality coffee from CAFE will expand the beverage options.

At the AJU Japanese Hotel booth, visitors can try making onigiri, the Japanese rice balls associated with everyday meals and packed lunches. Japanese souvenirs will also be available to browse.

Together, the two events will offer an accessible introduction to the variety within Japanese culture. Visitors drawn by anime and performance on October 2 will have the opportunity to return on October 11 for crafts, food, and personal interaction—turning AJU Hinode into a meeting place for enthusiasts, families, and those discovering Japan for the first time.