Cherry Blossom Festival 2024: A Blossoming Celebration of Japan’s Biggest Festival Awaits in Shillong
Cherry blossom season in November is celebrated every year in the north eastern state of Meghalaya in a big way during November. Big international acts like Akon, Boney M and Re-hab are performing this year alongside Japanese artists and cultural acts coming in from Japan.
SHILLONG (MEGHALAYA): The annual Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 in Shillong is set to be a breathtaking celebration that captures the essence of Meghalaya’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage with an authentic blend of Japanese culture and lifestyle. Scheduled on November 15-16 in Shillong, this year’s festival will take place at the RBDSA Sports Complex in Mawlasnai, near Shillong marking a new venue aimed at accommodating an expected surge in visitors.
Following the remarkable success of the previous year, which attracted over 50,000 attendees, organizers are optimistic about welcoming more than 90,000 visitors this time around. The festival is a two-day, multi-event festival organized by the Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya, that includes a wide variety of attractions, activities, and art.
Besides Japanese art, culture, food & beverages, this year’s musical lineup is particularly impressive, featuring headliners such as Boney M, who will perform as part of their farewell world tour, alongside other notable acts like Akon, REHAB, and local favorites such as Meba Otilia and Lou Majaw. The eclectic mix of genres ensures that attendees will enjoy everything from R&B and pop to electronic dance music.
One of the highlight of the event is the Japan Arena, which will reflect the image of Mini Japan. Being the country partner of the Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 the best of Japan will be showcased in this area of 50,000 sq ft, with focus on culture, food and entertainment.
The event includes the main stage acts in the Japan Arena that will have performances by Japanese bands, Karaoke contests for the Japanese styled karaoke experience, and screening of Anime films on the large LEDs.
Since Cosplay is gaining huge popularity in the region, the local Cosplay teams will line up contests and parades to create excitement in the crowd.
The visitors will be able to enjoy authentic Japanese food at the festival such as Ramen, Curry Sushi, and more. Another attraction in the food stalls and seating will be performance spaces for Japanese cultural activities including tea ceremonies, calligraphy, etc.
In addition to the musical offerings, the festival will also showcase fashion shows highlighting traditional and contemporary styles from Meghalaya. Food stalls will offer a delightful array of local delicacies alongside international cuisine, allowing visitors to indulge their taste buds while enjoying the festivities. Artistic displays will include graffiti art installations and workshops featuring local artisans, while interactive competitions such as karaoke contests and choir battles will engage attendees in fun-filled activities.
Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 is the product of the Meghalaya state government’s partnership with Japan for the event. However, the idea stemmed from a suggestion by the former Ambassador of Japan to India Hiroshi Suzuki during his visit to the state in November 2023. The similarity between Meghalaya’s cherry blossoms and those in Japan impressed the Ambassador.
Yasuhiro Seo, Director, TRTL Studio Inc. – a bridge ecosystem player facilitating business and cultural exchanges between Japan and India, said, “North East India is a corridor to enter mainland India for Japanese business who are not present in India. Just about the size of the UK and a population of 45 million, it is a big market before you enter mainland India. Also, the local Government is very supportive of Japanese business by offering lots of benefits like single window clearance system, infrastructure, etc.”
The success of the previous year’s Cherry Blossom Festival laid a solid foundation for this year’s event. With over 50,000 attendees in 2023, last year’s festival not only celebrated nature’s beauty but also showcased Meghalaya’s rich culture through music, art, and cuisine. The positive feedback received has significantly raised awareness about Shillong as a travel destination. Given this momentum, organizers are confident that they will surpass last year’s attendance figures. The festival has garnered recognition as one of Asia’s premier events, having won multiple awards at the WOW Awards Asia.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is more than just a celebration; it serves as a testament to Meghalaya’s cultural heritage.
As anticipation builds for the Cherry Blossom Festival 2024, it promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with music, culture, and stunning natural beauty. Whether drawn by the enchanting cherry blossoms or the diverse array of activities planned, Shillong in November offers something for everyone. With expectations set high for attendance this year, it’s clear that this festival has firmly established itself as a must-visit event in India’s cultural calendar.
Meghalaya enjoys the unique distinction of having Cherry Blossom trees that bloom in the month of November. Meghalaya became the first state in the World to have An Autumn Cherry Blossom Festival based on the local cherry blossom plants with bloom during November.
About TRTL Studio Inc, Tokyo, Japan:
The company is a bridge ecosystem player facilitating business and cultural exchanges between Japan and India. It was initially launched to support the Japanese expansion of the portfolio companies from TRTL ventures, in Singapore. A Japan-focused Indian venture capital, it now engages a wide range of industries beyond tech, from both countries.
