Saman Dance and Angklung to enliven the Hakata Dontaku Festival 2026 Fukuoka

JAKARTA - Various Indonesian arts, such as saman dance to angklung, which were brought by a number of Indonesian community groups with the support of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, enlivened the 2026 Hakata Dontaku Festival in Fukuoka, Japan.

In the largest annual arts and culture festival in Fukuoka, Japan during the golden week holiday (golden week) which this year falls on May 3-4, 2026, the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) Fukuoka and a number of Indonesian communities in Fukuoka, among others, will present Saman Aceh Dance, Padupa Makassar Dance, performances of Nusantara songs from representatives of Indonesian workers in Fukuoka to Angklung performances.

Counsellor for Social and Cultural Information Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo Iqbal Mohammad Amrullah in his remarks conveyed a message of friendship and collaboration between Indonesian citizens and Japan.

"This Hakata Dontaku Festival is not only a display of cultural art but we are also celebrating friendship between countries, especially the friendship between Indonesia and Japan," he explained, launching the statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo (7/5).

"From hundreds of cultures, Indonesia has more than 17 thousand islands and more than 300 cultures and languages. This means that we have many ways to convey friendship to our Japanese colleagues," he continued.

"On this occasion, we also invite everyone to be able to attend again at the Indonesian Festival, 3-4 October 2026. In that event, it will be possible to witness how Indonesian citizens promote friendship and peace in Japan. We believe that the presence of Indonesian citizens will further add the friendly and friendly face of this beautiful city of Fukuoka. Happy friendship," said Iqbal.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Fukuoka PPI, Asyraflie, expressed his appreciation for the support from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo to Indonesian citizens in Fukuoka in promoting Indonesian cultural arts.

"From PPI Fukuoka we will show Saman dance and Padupa dance. We want to introduce Indonesian art to Japanese people in Fukuoka," he said.

"I am very happy because this is an opportunity or a platform to introduce Indonesian culture. We want Indonesian art to be more well-known by Japanese citizens. Thank you for the support of the Japanese Embassy in Tokyo," added the student of Computer Engineering at Kyushu University.

The appearance of Saman Dance and Padupa Dance attracted quite a lot of enthusiasm from Japanese and foreign residents at the Hakata Dontaku Festival.

The highlight of the Hakata Dontaku Festival is the parade along Meiji-dori (from Gofukumachi to Tenjin) of approximately 1,270 m (1.27 km). This parade is followed by various Japanese citizen organizations in Fukuoka and representatives of foreign communities from various countries, including Indonesia.

Indonesia's presence in particular also received a very lively welcome from local Japanese residents in Fukuoka.

As many as two million people spilled onto the sidewalks along the road to watch this parade. In addition, there were approximately 40 performance stages held in the center of the bustling city of Fukuoka, featuring various art attractions from various countries. 　

"I feel very proud to be able to bring Aceh culture and watched by the Japanese people. There is a sense of pride and infinite gratitude for the support of Indonesian friends and of course from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo," said Kinaya Aisha Naghia Halyda, a student of S1 Bioresource & Bioenvironment, Kyushu University.

"We train once a week in the midst of our busy college life. Every year we perform at this festival. I hope Indonesian friends in Fukuoka to actively promote Indonesian culture in Japan," he added.

On this occasion, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo also held a meeting with a number of Indonesian communities in Japan. Among them with the Indonesian Muslim Fukuoka (Musfuk), the Assembly of Deputy Branches of Nahdlatul Ulama (MWCNU) Fukuoka, the Special Branch Leadership of Muhamadiyah (PRIM) Fukuoka, the Interdenominational Church of Indonesian Gospel (GIII) Fukuoka, the Indonesian Mix Sakura Alliance (AIMSA) and the Indonesian International Scientists Association (I4).

The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo took advantage of this meeting by discussing collaboration between Indonesian communities in Fukuoka in various Indonesian promotional activities.