Varanasi: Amid chants of “Har Har Mahadev” at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a Japanese delegation’s Kashi visit on Sunday offered a glimpse of the deepening India-Japan ties. Yamanashi Prefecture governor Kotaro Nagasaki said the relationship between Uttar Pradesh, Yamanashi and Japan would be strengthened over the long term through cooperation in key sectors, including green hydrogen and energy security.The guests also experienced the spiritual aura of the grand and divine Baba Vishwanath Dham and observed the blend of Kashi’s spiritual heritage with modern development. They appreciated the facilities and arrangements made for devotees.Speaking to the media after offering prayers at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple with a Japanese delegation, Nagasaki said, “We wish to advance cooperation in several important sectors together with chief minister Yogi Adityanath. One of these important initiatives is to promote the development of Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi Prefecture through a green hydrogen system. We also wish to contribute to world peace through energy security.”The governor said his visit to Kashi gave him a deep sense of the devotion and faith of the people. “By coming here, one can clearly feel the devotion and respect that all of you have towards God. I too have prayed here for world peace,” he added.Led by Nagasaki, a delegation of around 15 prominent Japanese representatives visited KV Dham, offered prayers to Baba Vishwanath and sought blessings. Temple Trust SDM Shambhu Sharan said the guests were welcomed with Rudraksha garlands and angavastras on their arrival at the temple.Devotees greeted the Japanese delegation with chants of “Har Har Mahadev”, and the visitors also joined them in the chants, reflecting the warmth of India-Japan cultural ties within the temple premises.The delegation, which visited Kashi during the holy month of Shrawan, was deeply impressed by the large gathering of kanwariyas and devotees. The Japanese guests praised the Yogi govt’s arrangements for devotee convenience and safety, particularly its crowd management measures.On Saturday, the Japanese delegation visited Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Later in the evening, the guests participated in the Ganga aarti at Namo Ghat and experienced Kashi’s spiritual and cultural heritage.Yumi Sai, a member of the 75-member Japanese delegation, described the Sarnath visit as a special experience.He said that visiting the sacred land of Sarnath after its recognition as a Unesco World Heritage Site was even more special. Visiting the sites associated with Lord Buddha’s first sermon, along with seeing the Dhamek and Chaukhandi Stupas up close, was a testament to the centuries-old shared spiritual and cultural ties between India and Japan.After offering prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the delegation departed from Varanasi. The Japanese delegation, comprising more than 200 members, is in India for the UP-Japan Investment Meet-2026. Several memorandums of understanding related to investment and bilateral cooperation were also signed between the Uttar Pradesh govt and the Japanese delegation in Lucknow.The visit highlights the growing role of Kashi, the city of Baba Vishwanath, and Sarnath, the sacred Buddhist site, in taking India-Japan spiritual, cultural and tourism relations to new heights.
