Karthika Pournami Celebrations in Japan 2025: Complete City-Wise Guide to Events, Rituals & Temple Celebrations

Introduction: The Divine Festival of Lights

Karthika Pournami, also known as Kartika Purnima or Karthigai Deepam, is one of the most sacred celebrations in the Hindu calendar. Celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartika, this festival falls in November and is also known as Tripurari Purnima or Deva-Deepavali, the gods’ festival of lights. In 2025, Karthika Pournami will be observed on November 5, 2025, marking a time of profound spiritual significance for Hindu communities across Japan.

For Hindu residents and expatriates in Japan, this sacred day represents more than just a religious observance—it’s a connection to cultural heritage, a celebration of divine light, and an opportunity to gather as a community in devotion and unity.

What is Karthika Pournami? Understanding the Significance

Historical and Mythological Importance

Hindus consider Karthika Purnima to be especially important because it’s the sole day of the year that is specifically dedicated to the worship of both Shiva and Vishnu. This unique characteristic makes it one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar.

Key Legends Associated with Karthika Pournami:

Lord Shiva’s Victory Kartika Purnima, also known as Tripuri Purnima or Tripurari Purnima in Shaivism, commemorates the victory of Lord Shiva over Tripurasura, the demon. According to this legend, Shiva took the form of Tripurantaka to destroy three celestial cities called Tripura with just a single arrow.
Lord Vishnu’s Matsya Avatar Legend has it that Vishnu was incarnated to become Matsya on this day and that this was the first of his 10 incarnations in different forms.
Radha-Krishna’s Divine Dance In Vaishnavite tradition, this day is considered significant and special for the worship of both Radha and Krishna. It is believed that on this day, Radha-Krishna performed rasalila with their gopis.
Birth of Lord Kartikeya In Southern India, Kartika Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Kartikeya, the god of war and younger son of Shiva.

Spiritual Benefits of Observing Karthika Pournami

Celebrating Karthika Pournami with devotion is believed to bring:

Spiritual growth equivalent to performing numerous sacred rituals
Cleansing of karma through purification from past negativities
Divine grace with blessings of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Kartikeya

Any philanthropic act on this day is supposed to bring benefits and blessings equal to the performing of ten yajnas.

Karthika Pournami 2025 Date & Timing for Japan

Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Purnima Tithi Begins: 10:36 PM on November 4, 2025 (UTC) Purnima Tithi Ends: 6:48 PM on November 5, 2025 (UTC)

Since the Udayatithi (sunrise time) is considered in Hinduism for festival observance, Karthika Pournami will be celebrated on November 5, 2025, across Japan (Japan Standard Time, UTC+9).

Time Zone Adjustments for Major Japanese Cities

City/Region	Sunrise (~)	Moonrise (~)	Notes
Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Nagoya	6:45 AM	6:30 PM	Ideal for dawn puja and evening deepa lighting
Sapporo (Hokkaido)	6:50 AM	6:40 PM	Colder weather; indoor focus
Fukuoka (Kyushu)	6:40 AM	6:25 PM	Milder climate for outdoor events

Essential Rituals and Traditions

Lighting of Diyas (Deepam) The most iconic ritual involves lighting oil lamps. Devotees light ghee or sesame oil lamps at dawn and dusk. Traditional Practice:
- Light 365 wicks (South Indian tradition)
- Use eco-friendly clay diyas
- Place lamps at entrance, tulasi plant, and home altar
Holy Bath (Snana) Early morning shower before sunrise with Ganga jal or holy water.
Fasting (Vrata)
- Complete fast: Sunrise to moonrise
- Partial fast: Fruits, milk, water only
Temple Visits and PujaPuja Items:
- Bilva leaves (Shiva)
- Tulasi leaves (Vishnu)
- Flowers, fruits, coconuts, incense
Charity and Annadanam Food distribution to the needy, temple donations, and educational support.

City-Wise Karthika Pournami Celebrations Across Japan

Japan’s Hindu population (~50,000) is concentrated in major cities. Celebrations are community-driven, often held in temples, cultural centers, or private homes. Note: A major event at Shri Ram Mandir, Bando runs from November 2–12, 2025, combining Diwali Mahotsav & Kartik Purnima with pujas, lamp lighting, and annadanam.

Tokyo & Greater Kanto

Sri Ganesh Temple, Asakusa (ISKCON Tokyo) The only full-fledged Hindu temple in Tokyo, located near Senso-ji.

2025 Events:

5:30 AM – Mangala Arati & Abhishekam
11:00 AM – Satyanarayana Puja
6:30 PM – 108-lamp lighting ceremony
7:30 PM – Bhajan & Kirtan
Prasadam: South Indian pongal & payasam

ISKCON Yokohama Center Evening program with Vishnu Sahasranama & lamp lighting.

Tokyo Indian Community Hall (Nerima) Hosts Telugu & Tamil community events:

365-diya lighting
Cultural dance (Bharatanatyam)
Annadanam for 300+ people

Tokyo Community Features:

Indian IT professionals dominate
Live streaming on YouTube
Free shuttle from Shinjuku Station

Osaka & Kansai Region

Sri Krishna Temple, Osaka (ISKCON) Located in Namba area.

2025 Events:

6:00 AM – Morning puja
7:00 PM – Maha Deepotsav (1008 lamps)
Krishna leela drama by children
Vegan prasadam dinner

Osaka Indian Association Hall Hosts South Indian Karthigai Deepam:

Thiruvilakku puja by women
Kolam competition
Carnatic music recital

Kansai Community Features:

Strong Tamil & Telugu presence
Collaboration with Kyoto University Indian students

Yokohama

Sri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Yokohama Community-run temple in Minato Mirai area.

Events:

Rudrabhishekam at dawn
Evening arti with 365 diyas
Charity drive for local orphanages

Nagoya

Sri Venkateswara Temple, Nagoya (Community Center)

Events:

All-day Satyanarayana Vratham
Lamp lighting on rooftop (weather permitting)
Annadanam with South Indian meals

Fukuoka

ISKCON Fukuoka Center Evening bhajan & lamp lighting in Tenjin area.

Sapporo (Hokkaido)

Hokkaido Indian Association Indoor celebration due to cold:

LED lamp lighting
Virtual puja via Zoom
Hot payasam & vada prasadam

Other Areas

City	Highlight Event
Kobe	Sri Durga Temple – Tamil-style Karthigai
Kyoto	Indian Cultural Society – Bhajan & discourse
Hiroshima	Home-based pujas with online participation

How Japanese Hindu Communities Celebrate: Adaptation & Innovation

Community-Centric Celebrations

Small but tightly knit groups of Indian expats (IT, automotive, academia) organize events with temple committees, Indian associations, and student groups.

Modern Adaptations for Japanese Life

Challenge	Solution
No open flames in apartments	LED diyas, battery lamps
Cold winters (north Japan)	Indoor electric vilakku
Work schedules	Evening/weekend programs
Small community	Hybrid (in-person + Zoom) events

Eco-Friendly Initiatives:

Reusable brass lamps
Coconut oil instead of ghee
Digital donations via PayPay

Cultural Integration:

Japanese subtitles during discourses
Inviting local friends to prasadam
Explaining rituals in English & Japanese

Celebrating Karthika Pournami at Home in Japan

For Apartment Dwellers (Mansion/Apato)

Safety-First Lamp Lighting:

LED lotus lamps on balcony
Electric diya sets (Amazon Japan)
Small brass lamp on heat-proof tray

Space-Saving Puja Setup:

Foldable wooden mandir
Portable puja kit (from India Mart Japan)
Digital bhajan via Spotify

Creating Sacred Atmosphere

Morning Routine:

Wake before sunrise (~6:30 AM)
Holy bath with Ganga jal
Light first LED lamp
Chant Shiva Tandava Stotram

Evening Observance:

Prepare 108 small diyas (or LED equivalents)
Light at sunset (~5:00 PM in November)
Perform arti with family
Share prasadam via video call with relatives in India

Traditional Recipes for Karthika Pournami

Prasadam Items:

Sweet Pongal (made with Japanese rice)
Vada (using local urad dal)
Payasam (with coconut milk)
Panakam (jaggery drink)

Fasting Foods:

Fruits, yogurt, nuts
Sabudana khichdi (tapioca from Donki)

Special Programs by Regional Organizations

India Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IJCCI)

Sponsors lamp materials
Coordinates annadanam

Panasonic India Japan Club

Hosts cultural evening in Osaka

TCS Japan Tamil Sangam

Organizes Thiruvilakku puja in Tokyo

Religious Observances Throughout Karthika Month

Key Dates in Karthika Masam 2025

Tulasi Vivah: November 2 Vaikuntha Chaturdashi: November 4 Karthika Pournami: November 5

Other Important Days:

Somavara Vratas: Oct 27, Nov 3, 10, 17
Masa Shivaratri: November 18

Tips for First-Time Celebrants

What to Expect

Dress Code: Traditional attire (kurta/saree) Etiquette: Remove shoes, silence phones Duration: 2–3 hours Language: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, English

For Non-Indian Devotees

All welcome
English explanations provided
Free prasadam for everyone

Spiritual Significance for Modern Life

The diya symbolizes:

Overcoming ignorance with knowledge
Unity in diversity (like Japan’s harmony culture)
Inner light in a fast-paced life

Charitable Activities

Temple Initiatives:

Donate to local children’s homes
Food drive for international students
Online crowdfunding for Indian charities

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I use LED lamps? A: Yes! Intention > medium.

Q2: Where to buy puja items in Japan? A:

Tokyo: Sakuraya (Asakusa), India Mart (Nishi-Kasai)
Osaka: Spice Magic (Namba)
Online: Amazon Japan, Rakuten (search プージャー用品)

Q3: Can Japanese friends join? A: Absolutely! Many temples invite locals.

Q4: How to join online? A: Follow ISKCON Tokyo YouTube or join WhatsApp groups.

Conclusion: Embracing Light in the Land of the Rising Sun

Karthika Pournami in Japan is a beautiful blend of ancient Indian spirituality and Japanese precision. From the glowing lamps at Asakusa’s Ganesh Temple to the virtual deepotsav in Sapporo, every flame carries the warmth of home thousands of miles away.

Whether you’re lighting a single LED diya in your Shibuya apartment, chanting with 200 devotees in Osaka, or sharing payasam with your Japanese neighbor, your devotion bridges cultures and illuminates hearts.

As the full moon rises over Mount Fuji, it reminds us that light transcends borders—just like the Hindu spirit thriving in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Om Namah Shivaya | Om Namo Narayanaya | Om Saravanabhavaya Namah

Connect with Your Local Community

Search “Hindu temple Japan” or “インド寺院” on Google Maps
Join “Indians in Tokyo” or “South Indians in Japan” Facebook groups
Follow ISKCON Japan on Instagram