4 awesome Indian Holi-Fests across Japan ! From Tokyo to Kyoto ! Festival of Colors – (Colors x Dance x Music x Food)

No matter in which country Indians go, they make sure that Indian Food, Festivals, and Movies/Music travel with them. Indians in Japan are no exception to this trend, rather the party is growing and getting bigger & better with each passing year. To add to that, it`s open & represents inclusion  of all nationalities, religions, gender, demographics, caste & creed, reaching to its full potential of the amazing way of life. 

Started with few hundreds participating in Holi in Japan, now the number is reaching upto whooping 3000+ people attending these “Mass Holi Festival” alongside Indian food and cultural dances(famous Nagin Dance(eccentric fun dance emulating serpent movement :)) exists here too)/performances performed by not only Indians but from all nationalities welcomed there.

A number of people having fun together in such a big number is like enjoying Hanabi in a commune way in Japan.

However, the Holi in Japan is a bit different as compared to that in India. (the Preps, dos, and donts), big thanks to people behind it !
– One cannot play Holi anywhere they like. The greatest concern is the place which cannot be left as it is with colors.

This is where organizations along with their associations like Holi Mela Committee in Seishincho, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Japan   Kawasaki Holi Mela Committee & iAK, Kyoto have come up and helping the community to enjoy together.

The main preparation involves is one need to take permission from the ward office to arrange such program in a open area/park. Only having a park/place is not enough, the group has to ensure the park/event is left in the original form when it was rented.For this the whole ground is covered with plastics sheet with edges taped so that people play with colors only on these sheets and no color touches the ground.

Also, they need to make sure that the community around is not disturbed too much (Security, Noise Levels, Cleanliness as main).
– Request to members who attend these parties and if using public toilets, please see that you are not leaving colors there or anywhere outside these sheets. Last year the toilet room in 7/11 near Dinosaur Park, Seishincho was turned into “special Holi place” 🙂 So, let`s support the organizers
– Mostly played with dry organic colors
– Mostly no water balloons colors
– Mostly no colors which are hard to wash off later
– said all, but Fun is guaranteed 🙂

What is Holi?
Like any other thing in India, this also does not have one definition 🙂
Holi in simple words is “Festival of Colors” where basically Indians love to Dance and play apply colors on each other (fry or wet). The best way to enjoy is to let loose your brain a bit and let your heart do the work! Wear white for maximum fun !

In India, its pretty rad 🙂 Its holi in every nook and corner on this day !
https://youtu.be/iyiSsOqDmS4

Unreal Bollywood Holi :

Why you should attend Holi Fests in Japan
– To Dance on Bollywood Songs (No dancing skills required :))
– To understand the craziness in Indian Culture (Witness and you will know it 🙂 )
– To see Indians in a different light, or should we say different color 🙂
– To forget yourself and be the part of that “Holi-Spirit” of togetherness and oneness
– To have great Food
– To Witness Indian Cultural programs
– Exposure to your kids about such fun custom

Why Indians celebrate Holi?
The festival signifies the
– victory of good over evil,
– the arrival of spring,
– end of winter,
– and for many a festive day to meet others,
– play and laugh,
– forget and forgive,
– and repair broken relationships.

Where are these Holi-Fests?

1. Tokyo Holi Mela 2019 – Seishincho, Tokyo – 21st March (National Holiday)

(Source: Organizing committee)
On 21st March, 2019, ( A national holiday in Japan) , Tokyo Holi Mela Committee will organize the 4th Holi Mela celebration event at the Dinasour Park (near to the Nishi Kasai station) for all the residents of Tokyo & rest of Japan irrespective of their nationality, race, color and genders.

By splashing the colors and hugging each other, a message of love , brother & sisterhood is sent across to the society and to the world at large. Missing such celebration here in Tokyo, a bunchful of Indian expats from diverse fields ; came together and decided to celebrate the festival of Colors & Joy. In 2016, 1st HOLI event was organised in Nishi Kasai, Tokyo. A Committee of 11 members to organize the HOLI festival was formed to run on No-profit basis. The Indian community and other residents welcomed and embraced such efforts whole-hardheartedly and afterwards, each year the HOLI Mela are being organised with huge success. Thousands of residents not only Indians but Japanese, European, American , South Asians and from other countries; joined the celebration with joy. Format of Holi Mela is very simple and inclusive and that’s what makes it unique. It’s a combination of colors, foods, drinks ( including the traditional one ‘Thandaii’), performances on stage by adults & kids, and unlimited dance of the enthralled participants on the tune of wide range of musics & songs (Punjabi ,Marathi , Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, western, folks etc.).

So, Tokyo Holi Mela Committee invites all the residents of Japan to come to celebrate the HOLI together on 21st March ( a National Holiday) at Dinasour Park , near to Nishi Kasai station. It’s open for all event with free entry. (For details see the attached flyer of the event). ]

Sorry, you will not meet this guy below in Tokyo 🙂

Location :
https://goo.gl/maps/n1XbrjscJx82

2. Rang De Basanti – Funabori, Tokyo – 23rd March (Saturday)

Holi 2019、MARCH 23rd (Sat)
ホーリー2019、3月23日（土）

Color | Traditional Food | DJ Music
カラー | 伝統的な食物 | DJミュージック

What to expect !

Location:
https://goo.gl/maps/Ge1ZqLkHAR42

More details from the organizers:

Holi 2019 : Rang De Basanti

3. Holi Mela @ Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 21st March (National Holiday)

Let’s celebrate the festival of Colors and enjoy the same at extreme level with fun-filled masti and Dhamal. Entry is free. Colours will be available for the sale at Venue. Book your calendar. For more details, please refer the poster above.

Last year fun !

Location:
https://goo.gl/maps/iHxLcfmn5Jq

4. Holi Mela @ Kyoto, 21st March (National Holiday)

From Organizers:

Location:
https://goo.gl/maps/Eud7mDTkKcQ2

Hope you make best use of this opportunity.

”Holi Hai”

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