The Nihon Matsuri festival will take place on 24 October 2026 to commemorate 90 years of Japanese immigration to Paraguay. The cultural and gastronomic event will celebrate Japanese contributions to the country. Organisers will hold the festival at the Paraguayan Olympic Committee in Luque, from 16:00 to 23:00.
Eduardo Higaki, a member of the Japanese Association of Asunción (AJA) and the organising committee for the 90th anniversary, confirmed the event’s scope. “We are going to have the full cultural expression of Japan,” he stated.
A year of commemoration
The Ambassador of Japan, Katsumi Itagaki, described Paraguay’s Nikkei community as “very united, very supportive communities with the capacity to plan and execute projects or plans throughout almost the entire year”.
The commemorative year has featured monthly activities, including seminars, workshops, a kimono show and the launch of commemorative stamps. In August, the central event coincided with the first visit to Paraguay by Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan.
“This year’s Nihon Matsuri will be the largest yet, to commemorate together and to celebrate the future generations of integrated Paraguayans and Japanese, through music, dance, and food,” the ambassador said.
Itagaki also commented on Paraguay’s current growth. “During this year, Paraguay has positioned itself much more in the world and is transforming, with more industry, more commerce, and more tourism,” he stated.
Historic bilateral relations
During the presentation of the commemorative agenda, organisers highlighted Japan’s longstanding diplomatic ties with Paraguay. Japan became the first Asian country to establish diplomatic relations with Paraguay in 1919, following the First World War. Today, the country’s Nikkei community comprises approximately 10,000 people. The first Japanese settlers arrived in La Colmena, in the Paraguarí department, in 1936.
Over the years, the community has contributed significantly to agriculture, education, culture and community life in Paraguay. Following President Santiago Peña’s official visit to Japan, both countries elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership.
The partnership focuses on cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure and innovation. It also extends to smart agriculture, biotechnology, the green economy and various educational and scientific programmes, including the GuaraniSat-1 nanosatellite project.
Festival highlights and attractions
Attendees at Nihon Matsuri 2026 can expect a wide array of Japanese cuisine, including sushi and ramen. The festival will also feature traditional music and dance, alongside more than 80 stands offering food, drinks, clothing and other products. “And for the little ones, there will be fun games from traditional Japanese festivities,” Higaki commented.
Performers from Japan will include soloist Yoshiaki Okawa, who plays the koto, a traditional stringed instrument with over 1,300 years of history. The trio Hanafugetsu will also perform, blending contemporary genres such as rock with ancestral Japanese instruments.
“In addition, as every year, we will have the popular percussion group Japan Bunka Taiko, who play the Japanese drum,” Higaki announced.
The dance group Kosei will perform yosakoi, an energetic traditional dance that fuses modern and folk elements. The style is often featured in Japan’s summer Bon Odori dance festival.
2026 Nihon Matsuri festival details
The National Secretariat of Tourism (Senatur), the Embassy of Japan and various companies and organisations from the Japanese and Nikkei communities support the event.
The gates will open at 16:00, with activities scheduled to begin at 17:00. Advance tickets are available through the Tuti platform for ₲25,000 (approximately US$5). Tickets purchased at the gate will cost ₲30,000 (approximately US$6).
