Representative Dr T.G. Arya addressing the gathering

Tokyo: The Tibet House Japan and the Save Tibet Network jointly organised a two-day Tibetan Spiritual Festival at Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple in Tokyo on 3 and 4 May 2025. The purpose of the festival was to introduce and share the Tibetan spiritual and compassionate culture with the Japanese and other communities in Tokyo and promote peace, harmony, and a sense of global community.

Rev. Kimura Tomohiro of Tsukiji Hongwanji and Representative Dr Tsewang Gyalpo Arya of the Tibet House Japan welcomed the audience and shared a brief history of the relationship between Tibet and the Hongwanji Temple since the time of the great 13th Dalai Lama and Rev. Otani Kozui of the Nishi Hongwanji Temple in early 1900s.

At the talk events, Prof Hirano of Tokyo University talked on the history of Tibet; Prof Yoshimura spoke about Tibetan Buddhism and its applicability in daily life; Usui Taikan, a photographer, talked on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kalachakra through the photographs that he has taken; and a Tokyo University student Inui Masataka spoke on his experience in studying Tibetan Buddhism. Geshe Tenzin Woeser of Koyasan University led a session on meditation and Karma Dhondup, a Tibetan photographer, presented his photos to tell Tibetan refugee stories.

The colourful Tibetan lungta flags adorn the festival sites and the visitors enjoyed the ambience greatly. The festivals had several booths maintained by Potala College, Kawachen, Students for Free Tibet, and the Tibetan Community in Japan. The booths displayed Tibetan handicrafts, accessories, clothing, and books. Tibet House Japan sold and distributed books on Tibet and Buddhism. Karma Art held an exhibition of photos of Tibet and Tibetans in India. Tashi Delek restaurant, Ama Curry, and Bodkhyim restaurant served the visitors Tibetan delicacies like momo, thukpa, Tibetan cookies, bread, and butter tea.

Tibetan artists Tenzin Kusang and Tenzin Genyen, and Japanese artist Terahara Taro entertained the audience in the evening with Tibetan songs, dance, and gorshe.

Many Japanese appreciated the festival greatly and requested more such events to learn and experience Tibetan spiritual culture. Representative Arya, at the closing day of the festival, thanked the audience and the participants and expressed hope that the festival inspired peace, harmony, and a sense of global community.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Japan  

Geshe Tenzin Woesel of Koyasan University

Rev. Kimura Tomohiro greeting the audience

Prof Hirano of Tokyo University speaking

Prof Yoshimura speaking

Photographer Usui Taikan speaking

Inui Masataka receiving Tibetan khata

Karma Dhondup receiving Tibetan khata

MC Anri, Artists: T. Genyen, T. Kusang, and T. Taro

Glimspe of the festival

Audience joining Tibetan gorshe dance