The festival’s slogan, “Wa – Harmony in Diversity,” reflects the spirit we want to share: a celebration that brings people together to experience and enjoy the beauty of Japanese culture. With the Japan Festival 2026, we hope to build on the momentum of recent years and further strengthen the ties between Japan and the Netherlands.

In line with this theme, we have once again organised an illustration contest this year, and we have received many beautiful artworks. Many thanks to all the participants!

The winner of our Illustration Contest is Sankalp Garg. Congratulations!

Artist: Sankalp Garg
Title: Amstel to Edo: The bridge of friendship
Message: ‘I created this piece to celebrate the long-standing cultural exchange between Japan and the Netherlands. I used iconic symbols from both nations into a singular, festive scene.’