By Selyucus Markus – General Sectary, Konnichiwa Japan Club · Published 11 October 2026

Konnichiwa Japan Festival, India’s largest Japanese culture festival, returns for its 10th edition on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026, from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, at Nexus Select Citywalk, Saket, New Delhi. Registration is free. Organised by Konnichiwa Japan Club, the festival welcomes more than 60,000 visitors to two days of anime, cosplay, Japanese food, music, martial arts and traditional arts.

A new home for the 10th edition

After a record-breaking 2025 edition, Konnichiwa Japan Festival returns to Nexus Select Citywalk in Saket, one of South Delhi’s best-known destinations and a short walk from Malviya Nagar metro station on the Yellow Line.

What’s on

• anime screenings, a manga corner, merchandise and the Konnichiwa Japan Cosplay Competition, with solo, group and kids’ categories.
• ramen, sushi, onigiri, takoyaki, matcha and Japanese sweets, with vegetarian options.
• taiko drums, J-pop and anisong performances, dance covers and yosakoi.
• origami, calligraphy, ikebana, the tea ceremony, and kimono or yukata try-on.
• karate, aikido, judo and kendo demonstrations.
• Japanese snacks, stationery and beauty products, plus original fan art by Indian artists.

Ten editions of saying “hello” to Japan

Konnichiwa Japan began in 2017 with a simple idea: to introduce Japanese culture to everyone in India, not only those who can travel to Japan. The first festival at DLF Place, Saket, welcomed about 10,000 visitors. Since then, the festival has gone online during the pandemic, marked 70 years of India–Japan friendship in 2022 with the Ambassador of Japan, and drawn more than 60,000 visitors in 2025. In 2026, Konnichiwa Japan Club also begins planning to take the festival to more Indian cities.

How to take part

Visitors can register free now. Cosplayers, artists, volunteers, exhibitors and sponsors can also apply on this website. Early-bird stall booking closes on 7 November.

Quick facts

Detail	Information
Dates	12–13 December 2026
Venue	Nexus Select Citywalk, Saket, New Delhi 110017
Timings	11:00 am – 9:00 pm on both days
Registration	Free, online Register Free →
Nearest metro	Malviya Nagar (Yellow Line)
Organiser	Konnichiwa Japan Club

Published 10 October 2026

Cosplay, short for “costume play”, means dressing up and performing as a character from anime, manga, games or films. In India, cosplay has grown from a handful of fans into a large and welcoming community, and events such as Konnichiwa Japan Festival in New Delhi give beginners a friendly stage. Here is how to start, step by step.

1. Pick a character you love, and can build

Choose a character you genuinely enjoy, then check what the costume needs. School uniforms, casual outfits and simple robes make excellent first cosplays. Save heavy armour and giant weapons for later.

2. Set a budget

A first cosplay can be as simple as a “closet cosplay”, built from clothes you already own plus a wig, or as ambitious as a fully made costume. Spend most on what people notice first: the wig, the silhouette and one signature prop.

3. Buy, build or mix

• put the look together from clothes you already own. It is perfect for a first event.
• local tailors can stitch costumes from reference images; take front, side and back views.
• learn basic sewing, EVA foam and thermoplastic crafting from online tutorials.

4. Wigs and make-up

A styled wig transforms a cosplay. Choose a heat-resistant wig, style it on a wig head, and test your make-up before the event. Hold a full dress rehearsal at least a week beforehand.

5. Props, safely

Use foam, cardboard and PVC, never real or sharp weapons. Always check the event’s props policy. At Konnichiwa Japan Festival, props must be as per the guidelines, should not cause an obstruction and are checked at registration.

6. Prepare for your first competition

Practise a short 60–90-second performance, prepare your music as an MP3, and pack a repair kit (safety pins, glue gun, tape, needle and thread). Register for the Konnichiwa Japan Cosplay Competition to participate.

7. Cosplay etiquette

Cosplay is not consent: always ask before photographing or touching another cosplayer. Credit the photographers you work with, and be kind to beginners. Everyone started somewhere.

Frequently asked questions