Delegations from SHIZUOKA Prefecture & HAMAMATSU City PARTICIPATED IN THE GOLDFEST 2026
Kites, Music and Matcha took the Centre Stage
The Indo-Japan Friendship Association of Gujarat (IJFA) has enjoyed unique recognition and goodwill over five decades, pioneering the Vision and Mission of making Gujarat the “Mini-Japan of India.” The Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat, proudly launched its Golden Jubilee Celebrations titled “GOLDFEST” to mark 50 momentous years.
Visit of Delegations from Shizuoka Prefecture & Hamamatsu City, Japan
The Vice Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture Mr. Hiraki Sho and the Mayor of Hamamatsu City Mr. Yusuke Nakano led delegations from Japan to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat; the First Anniversary of Friendships between Shizuoka-Gujarat and Hamamatsu-Ahmedabad; and to mark the Signing of MOU for Economic Cooperation between the Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
To mark 50 momentous years IJFA Gujarat hosted a formal Golden Jubilee Celebration Welcome Reception at AMA. Distinguished guests Ambassador Sujan Chinoy (Former Ambassador of India to Japan and Director General, Institute of Defence Studies & Analyses; Honorary Advisory Patron); Mr. Koji Yagi (Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai); Mr. Kinji Saito (Director of Suzuki Motors Corporation, Japan); Mr. Kaoru Saito (Chairman, The Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce & Industry); Mr. Masato Oshiki (Managing Executive Officer, Yamaha Corporation); Mr. Taketoshi Yamamoto (Managing Director, Yamaha Music India Pvt. Ltd); Mr. Taichi Okamoto (Manager, India Division, Suzuki Motors Corporation, Japan); Mr. Binay Kumar (Chairman, Indian Community of Hamamatsu); Mr. Mukesh Patel (President of IJFA and Honorary Consul of Japan in Ahmedabad, Gujarat); Mr. Yatindra Sharma (Chairman of the Economic Cooperation Council, IJFA Gujarat); and Mr. Mohal Sarabhai (Vice-President of AMA) joined the celebration.
To commemorate the First Anniversary of the Gujarat-Shizuoka Sister State Partnership, the Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat in collaboration with Shizuoka Prefecture; IJ Kakehashi Services Pvt Ltd and Hotel Hyatt Regency hosted “O-Cha Utsav” and prepared a special Matcha Cake and facilitated a unique Japanese Green Tea (authentic Sencha) as a celebration of flavors and friendship, bridging the culinary cultures of Shizuoka and Gujarat through the traditional art of tea. The Vice Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture Mr. Hiraki Sho said, “The initiative aims to raise awareness about incorporating green tea into daily diets to promote holistic health and living.”
To commemorate the First Anniversary of the Hamamatsu-Ahmedabad Relationship, the Hon’ble Mayor of Hamamatsu Mr. Yusuke Nakano led a special delegation of 15 expert Kite flyers from Hamamatsu—the “Kite Capital of Japan” to celebrate the unique cultural event PATANG-O-DORI i.e. Japanese Kite Flying Demonstration based on the theme “Dancing in the Sky with Amdavadi Patang!” Japanese Kite flyers demonstrated their traditional Japanese kite-flying techniques featuring the launch of 3 meters colorful Japanese Tako kites flown by rope accompanied by traditional bugles and dancers in Happy Coats in the fusion with Folk Dancers and Folk Music of Gujarat.
Signing of MOU for Economic Cooperation between HCCI and GCCI
Recognizing the longstanding spirit of friendship and cooperation between Gujarat and Shizuoka building upon the Sister State Partnership, the Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (HCCI) and the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) signed MOU of Economic Cooperation to formalize the Sister City Partnership between Ahmedabad and Hamamatsu. Mr. Kaoru Saito, Chairman of HCCI, and Mr. Rajesh Gandhi, Senior Vice President of GCCI said that, “The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry represents Gujarat, one of India’s leading industrial and entrepreneurial states, while the Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry stands as a cornerstone of Japan’s industrial innovation within Shizuoka Prefecture.”
Yamaha Brand Ambassadors and Music Maestros of International Repute Presented Sangeet Symphony at the GOLD FEST CONCERT
Hamamatsu enjoys the acclaim as Asia’s First City to be designated as UNESCO Creative City of Music (in 2014). IJFA Gujarat in collaboration with Yamaha Corporation (HQ in Hamamatsu), Yamaha Music India Pvt. Ltd., hosted the unique musical evening with the GOLD FEST CONCERTcalled Sangeet Symphony (Nihon-no-Ongaku) – a symphony of friendship Inspired by the City of Music Hamamatsu. The concert featured Yamaha Brand Ambassadors and internationally acclaimed artists Ms. Nandini Shankar (A third-generation violin virtuoso known for the Gayaki Ang-Technique); Mr. Nise Meruno (Pianist and vocalist from Nagaland, bridging western classical traditions with Northeast Indian heritage); Mr. Dipanjan Chatterjee (Keyboardist performing renditions blending Bollywood and Gujarati melodies); Mr. Shigenobu Namikawa (Saxophonist performing a tribute uniting the Indian and Japanese National Anthems). Artists from ‘PANAM SHROFF Academy of Music’ and ‘Khandekars School of Music’ presented Fusion Melodies. It was based on a unique fusion of Indian and Japanese musical traditions, symbolizing the deep-rooted harmony between the two regions.
PATANG-O-DORI (Japanese Kite Flying Demonstration): Dancing in the Sky with Amdavadi Patang!
To mark the first anniversary of the Hamamatsu-Ahmedabad Sister City Partnership and 50 years of vibrant bonding between Gujarat and Japan, the unique cultural event PATANG-O-DORI will be held on the morning of Uttarayan (Wednesday, 14th January, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon) at the Shreyas Foundation. Distinguished Guests Ambassador Sujan Chinoy (Former Ambassador of India to Japan; Director General, IDSA); Mr. Hiraki Sho (Vice Governor, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan); Mr. Yusuke Nakano (Mayor, Hamamatsu City, Japan); Ms. Pratibha Jain (Mayor of Ahmedabad); Mr. Koji Yagi (Consul General of Japan in Mumbai); Mr. Umang Thakkar: Chairman (Patang Hotel); Mr. Abhay Mangaldas (Founder, The House of MG & Agashiye) will join the Kite Flying Celebration.
The GOLDFEST 2026 is inspired by the Honorary Consulate of Japan in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and supported by the Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Ahmedabad Management Association, Japanese Association Ahmedabad; Suzuki Motor Corporation, Yamaha Corporation. Key partners include Shizuoka Prefecture, Hamamatsu City, Yamaha Music India Pvt Ltd; Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad; IJ Kakehashi Services Pvt Ltd; Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI); Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Shreyas Foundation; Patang Hotel, Agashiye / The House of MG; Status Inc.; City Heritage Foundation, Dehgam Taluka Education Society, JadeBlue, Khandekars, Panam Shroff Academy of Music.
