Past Events

***** YEAR 2023 *****

2023 ODIA DIASPORA EVENT: Odisha Community of Japan Tokyo (OCJT) had the honor and pleasure of organizing perhaps the grandest and most joyful get-together of Odias ever in Japan on April 5, 2023 at the iconic Hotel Okura, Tokyo. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, his team of senior cabinet members and dynamic senior administrators on this tour of Japan freely interacted with over 150 members of the Odia diaspora, despite their busy and hectic schedules.

It was a fun and insightful evening where Hon’ble Chief Minister shared some Mega-Projects happening with Japanese collaboration and investments in Odisha. We heard terrific insights from Shri Pratap Kesari Deb, Industries Minister & Shri Pradeep Kumar Jena, Chief Secretary, on developments in Odisha. Shri V.K Pandian, Secretary to CM-Transformational Initiatives (5T), was very kind to spend a substantial amount of time interacting with the diaspora on various topics covering bi-lateral relations between Japan and Odisha, the social, infrastructure, business and spiritual transformations happening in Odisha.

We are happy we got to have a meaningful dialogue with our government. From the youngest of our kids to dynamic entrepreneurs and executives in the community, everyone was delighted to have an open and candid conversations. We enjoyed a beautiful Odissi performance from a renowned Japanese dancer, Kazuko Yasunobu-san and her team, who trained from Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. We felicitated them and saluted their dedication to the dance form. Everyone also enjoyed a beautiful rendition of “Bande-Utkala-Janani”, the state anthem, by two of Tokyo’s most popular Odia singers.

We wish Hon’ble CM and his team all the success for this tour and assure them of our firm and sincere support to strengthen the relations between Japan and Odisha. We are grateful to all community members for participating wholeheartedly. 

***** YEAR 2022 *****

  • RATHA YATRA was celebrated at Funabori, Tokyo on Saturday, 2nd Jul 2022. Three deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were worshiped and pulled with ropes in a colorfully decorated wooden chariot.

***** YEAR 2021 *****

  • RATHA YATRA rituals was held at @ ISKCON Funabori, TOKYO on Sunday, 18th Jul 2021 in extremely simple manner maintaining all the guidelines & protective measures (social distancing, wearing mask, etc.) with limited OCJT members only.

***** YEAR 2020 *****

  • OCJT Saraswati Puja was celebrated at Funabori, Tokyo on Sunday, 9th Feb 2020
  • RATHA YATRA was held at @ CHIBA, TOKYO on Saturday, 27th Jun 2020 in extremely simple manner maintaining all the guidelines & protective measures (social distancing, wearing mask, etc.) with limited OCJT members only.

***** YEAR 2019 *****

  • RATHA YATRA was held at Funabori, TOKYO on Saturday, 6th July 2019. Three deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were worshiped and pulled with ropes in a colorfully decorated wooden chariot
  • OCJT Saraswati Puja was celebrated at Ojima, Koto-ku, Tokyo on Sunday, 10th Feb 2019

***** YEAR 2018 *****

  • OCJT Ganesh Puja 2018 was celebrated at Funabori, Tokyo on Saturday, 15th Sep 2018
  • RATHA YATRA was held at Funabori, TOKYO on Sunday, 22nd July 2018. Three deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were worshiped and pulled with ropes in a colorfully decorated wooden chariot. LINK: Ratha Yatra in Tokyo Photo
  • RAJO FESTIVAL 2018 was celebrated at Ojima, Koto-ku, Tokyo on Sunday, 17th Jun 2018
  • OCJT Saraswati Puja 2018 was celebrated at Ojima, Koto-ku, Tokyo on Saturday, 27th Jan 2018

   ***** YEAR 2017 *****

  • Diwali was celebrated at Ojima, Koto-ku, Tokyo on Sunday, 22nd Oct 2017
  • OCJT Ganesh Puja 2017 was celebrated at Ojima, Koto-ku, Tokyo on Saturday, 26th Aug 2017
  • The Chariot Festival RATHA YATRA was held at Funabori, TOKYO on Sunday, 25th June 2017. Three deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were worshiped and pulled with ropes in a colorfully decorated wooden chariot. LINK: Ratha Yatra in Tokyo Photo / Video
  • OCJT Saraswati Puja 2017 was celebrated at Ojima, Koto-ku, Tokyo on Sunday, 5th Feb 2017

***** YEAR 2016 *****

***** YEAR 2015 *****

***** YEAR 2014 *****

  • Year-end Bounenkai was celebrated at Ojima, Tokyo on Sunday, 14th Dec 2014
  • OCJT Diwali 2014 Festival was celebrated at Higashi Ojima, Tokyo on Saturday, 25th Oct 2014
  • Ganesh Puja was celebrated at Ojima, Koto-ku, Tokyo on Saturday, 30th Aug 2014
  • Tokyo Ratha Yatra 2014 Video / Photo.
  • On April 1, 1936 Odisha was formed and since then April 1 is celebrated as “Utakala Dibasa” i.e. foundation day of Odisha. Utkala Dibasa (78th anniversary) was celebrated at Tobu Kuminkan, Mizue, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo on Saturday, 5th April 2014.
  • Odissi dance, drama by OCJT team and great performance by children made the event shine in all its splendor. On the eve of celebration of Utkala Dibasa, OCJT decided to contribute the annual education cost for two blind girls.Video LINK: Odia Drama by OCJT
  • OCJT Saraswati Puja 2014 was celebrated at Ojima, Tokyo on Saturday, 8th February 2014

***** YEAR 2013 *****

  • Yearend get together was held at Higashi Ojima, Tokyo on Sunday, 15th December 2013.Everything was well organized and everyone including kids enjoyed the great evening. Everyone shared their good memories and bad experience for the year to say bye bye to 2013.
  • Diwali festival was celebrated at City Court Ojima Community Hall, Koto-ku, Tokyo on Saturday, 2nd November 2013. Games for children were conducted followed by delicious potluck dinner and bingo game for all.
  • 2013_GANESH_PUJA_TOKYO at Furuishiba Bunka Centre, Tokyo on Saturday, 14th Sep 2013