“Modern Drupal, with innovations like Drupal CMS, Canvas, AI, and more, is breathing new life into the project and creating new opportunities. DrupalCon Asia, like all DrupalCons, is an opportunity unlike any other to promote, collaborate, and educate.”
“Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the many thousands of hours that have been donated to DrupalCon Asia by dozens of individuals.”
“DrupalCon Nara is the second recent DrupalCon in Asia, following the success of DrupalCon Singapore last year,”
“Uniquely in Nara, we have enjoyed substantial support and cooperation from local city officials. Mayor Nakagawa and his team have made our lives easier. With them we are bringing local students into DrupalCon and sharing with them the values and benefits of an open web.”
The timing of this DrupalCon aligns with a broader evolution in the Drupal project itself. New tools and concepts like Drupal CMS, Canvas, and AI integrations are gaining traction, bringing fresh energy and possibilities.
“Success for us is a continuation of this trend. We have been excited to work with the local Japanese Drupal community. In July of this year, we worked with them to hold the first Drupal Japan Contribution Day in Tokyo, and we’re looking forward to maybe some special announcements during the conference about the future of Drupal in Japan in 2026 and beyond.” Support from Linux Australia and the Drupal Association has enabled a robust scholarship program, welcoming voices from across the region to contribute and grow. And, as always, the DrupalCon Code of Conduct ensures a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
Accessibility and inclusivity are also front and center.
For the organisers, success is not measured only by numbers but by lasting impact.
Planning an international event in a culturally significant city like Nara comes with its own set of opportunities. According to Richardson, local collaboration has been a highlight.
The Treasure Hunt isn’t just fun. It’s a strategic, team-based race through Nara’s most iconic landmarks, blending Drupal trivia with local lore. Imagine snapping selfies with sacred deer, decoding riddles at ancient temples, and racing to hidden sites across a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, all for bragging rights and prizes.
“Nara is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with a rich cultural heritage dating back millennia. We are excited to be bringing the first ever DrupalCon Treasure Hunt to Nara. On Sunday, November 16, teams of up to 3 people will race across the city to complete challenges and win points.”
The event also introduces unique cultural programming that breaks away from the typical conference mold. One of the standout features is the DrupalCon Nara Treasure Hunt, which kicks off on Sunday, November 16.
said Michael Richardson, one of the key organisers.That same momentum is the goal for Nara.
graciously shares Michael.
Michael Richardson emphasized the significance of DrupalCon Asia as a shared mission, acknowledging that its continuation relies on the support of sponsors, volunteers, speakers, Linux Australia, and the Drupal Association.
“DrupalCons, like Drupal, are for everyone. We start every discussion, including which city to host in, with a consideration of how we can ensure these efforts are as affordable and accessible as possible, including to Drupal contributors coming from developing nations within Asia.”
Nara’s ancient temples, peaceful deer, and autumn scenery offer the perfect counterpoint to the vibrant exchange of ideas, innovation, and collaboration that DrupalCon promises. For anyone involved in the Drupal ecosystem or curious to be part of it, DrupalCon Nara 2025 offers an experience that will be hard to forget.
Attendance is expected to match the strong turnout seen in Singapore, with between 250 to 300 participants. Half of all registrants so far are coming from within Japan, a reflection of the growing energy in the Japanese Drupal community.
The enthusiasm behind DrupalCon Nara is grounded in a bigger mission. This year’s DrupalCon introduces a bilingual experience for the first time. Thanks to a dedicated volunteer translation team, all official messaging has been shared in both English and Japanese. Every session slot will include at least one talk delivered in Japanese, ensuring native speakers are fully welcomed into the experience.
“As with Singapore, our goal is to provide a means for Drupal users, developers, and contributors from all over Asia to connect with each other, share their stories and expertise, and to promote Drupal and open source as a solution.”
“We know that Asia has the potential to be the powerhouse of future Drupal development and contribution, and our commitment to these conferences reflects this belief.”“In Singapore, our proudest achievement as organisers was seeing the local Drupal communities invigorated and re-ignited. The Community Booth gave local meetup and camp organisers from across Asia a place to connect and share their stories with the community. We saw meetups in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries return.”
