Visited by Tens of Thousands of Visitors, Jababeka Together with KAJI Brings the Little Japan Experience to Kota Jababeka
Cikarang, July 28, 2026 – SAKURA Matsuri 2026 was successfully held on July 25–26, 2026, at Hollywood Junction, Kota Jababeka, Cikarang. Over the two days of the event, this Japanese cultural festival, a collaboration between Jababeka and the Japanese Alumni Association Indonesia (KAJI), managed to bring a “Little Japan” experience to Indonesia by offering a mix of culture, entertainment, food, education, and collaborations that sparked the enthusiasm of tens of thousands of visitors from various regions.
Entering its 13th year, Sakura Matsuri once again became one of the largest Japanese cultural festivals in Indonesia. The festival featured a variety of Japanese art and cultural performances, cosplay competitions, Japanese and Nusantara food bazaars, community zones, workshops, talk shows about study and career opportunities in Japan, as well as special performances from JKT48, DIA, and various Japanese cultural communities.
This year, Sakura Matsuri 2026 comes with a more comprehensive concept by combining elements of entertainment, education, social activities, and health. Besides enjoying the excitement of the Japanese cultural festival, visitors can also get information about opportunities to study, intern, work, and build a career in Japan through sharing sessions with practitioners, alumni, and institutions experienced in the Land of Sakura.
As a form of commitment to supporting human resource development, Sakura Matsuri 2026 also offers Japanese language scholarships for lucky visitors who want to improve their Japanese skills and organizes blood donation activities as a sign of social care, making this festival not just an entertainment event, but also providing real benefits to the community.
As an area that is home to more than 2,000 companies, including hundreds of Japanese companies, as well as thousands of Japanese expats living and working there, Jababeka City is the perfect place to offer an authentic Japanese cultural experience. The presence of an industrial, educational, business, and Japanese community ecosystem that has grown for decades makes Sakura Matsuri a real reflection of the close ties between Indonesia and Japan.
Ivonne Anggraini, Director of PT Graha Buana Cikarang, said, “We would like to thank everyone for the enthusiasm shown by the public, communities, MSME players, sponsors, tenants, media, and all partners who have been part of Sakura Matsuri 2026. The high enthusiasm of visitors proves that Sakura Matsuri has become one of the most anticipated Japanese cultural festivals in Indonesia. Sakura Matsuri is not just an entertainment festival, but also represents our commitment to strengthening ties between Indonesia and Japan through culture, education, tourism, and economic collaboration. The festival also serves as tangible proof of the implementation of Kota Jababeka’s declaration as an Industrial Tourism City by bringing the Little Japan in Indonesia experience that integrates culture, industry, and lifestyle in one area.”
Meanwhile, Fuad A. Kadir, Chairman of the Indonesian Japan Alumni Community (KAJI), said that holding Sakura Matsuri is a concrete effort to strengthen the relationship between Indonesian and Japanese people through a cultural approach.
“Sakura Matsuri has grown into more than just a cultural festival. This festival is a collaborative space that brings together Indonesian and Japanese communities through art, cuisine, education, and various activities that strengthen people-to-people connections.”
We believe that strong friendships are built through interaction, getting to know each other’s cultures, and creating opportunities to learn from one another. This year, we are bringing more educational programs, ranging from talk shows and workshops to information about study, internship, and career opportunities in Japan. We hope that the young generation in Indonesia will not only get to know Japanese culture but also gain inspiration and insights to develop their skills on a global level.
In addition to being a cultural preservation event, Sakura Matsuri 2026 also brings positive impacts to the local economy. The presence of tens of thousands of visitors helps boost the activities of small and medium enterprises, food tenants, transportation services, hotels, and the creative economy in Bekasi Regency.
Easy access to Kota Jababeka through various modes of transportation, like the KRL Commuter Line, Transjabodetabek B51 service, and the toll road network directly connected to the area, also supports the high number of visitors during the festival.
The success of Sakura Matsuri 2026 once again highlights Kota Jababeka as an integrated area that is not only a hub for industry and investment but also a destination for culture, education, and tourism. With the spirit of collaboration that continues to be maintained, Sakura Matsuri is expected to keep serving as a bridge of friendship between Indonesia and Japan, while offering a “Little Japan” experience in Indonesia that can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
“We hope Sakura Matsuri continues to grow into an international cultural event that benefits the community, boosts tourism and the creative economy, and further strengthens Kota Jababeka’s position as an Industrial Tourism City,” concluded Ivonne.