2025: Annual Japan Day Parade & Japan Street Fair (Celebrates Japanese Culture, Art, Tradition & Japanese Food) FREE (See Video)NEW

It all started in 2007 to promote a deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and to say “Thank you, New York!”

According to NYPD estimates, approximately 50,000 people came to cheer on the parade and visit the Japan Street Fair. Over 2,500 participants in 99 units marched down Central Park West.

Update Coming.

Date
May 10, 2025




[Previous Year Info]

Summary for Saturday
1) Japan Day Parade: May 11, 2024 at 12:30 pm (Starts 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm)
2) Japan Street Festival: Saturday 11, 2024 from a 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

This family-friendly cultural event received official support from the Office of the Mayor throughout the years. We get to use the beautiful Central Park with the help of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and the Central Park Conservancy. Also, the Consulate General of Japan in New York, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Nippon Club, and many other Japanese and American corporations have been supporting us since day one.

The event kicks off with the 4-mile mini-marathon Japan Run and Kids’ Races hosted by New York Road Runners. The event continues with the Japan Day Festival featuring a wide range of Japanese traditional activities, free samplings of popular Japanese cuisine, and powerful stage performances throughout the day.

1) JAPAN PARADE (Saturday, May 11, 2024)
Opening Ceremony at 12:30 pm
Location: Central Park West between 70th and 71st street (Grand Stand area VIP only)
Japan Parade starts at 1:00 p.m.
Route: Central Park West from 81st street heading south towards 68th street

Japan Day Map

Japan Day Info

2) JAPAN STREET FAIR (Saturday, May 11, 2024)
Japan Street Fair is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: West 72nd street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West

About the Japan Parade
The Japan Parade shows the New Yorkers the comprehensive appeal of Japan. Everything from drums, dance, and martial arts to animation. The Japan Street Fair will further strengthen Japan-US exchanges through delicious Japanese cuisines and activities.

The theme is “Festival Yatai (Outdoor) gourmet”. We will introduce various Japanese street foods such as Ramen, Soba, Okonomiyaki, and more with the cooperation of local restaurant officials. In addition, Japanese tea will be provided by a donation from a company that supports the Japan Parade. Furthermore, Japan Street Fair is also a part of the export promotion efforts of Japanese foods by the Japan Food Export Platform NY, managed by JETRO and the Consulate General of Japan in New York.

We will also have a few activity tents including a tote bag charity tent. In conjunction with the Central Park Conservancy, we have put special effort into various initiatives to help maintain our beautiful home park, including planting cherry trees in the park. This year, we are collecting donations that will go toward supporting Ukraine.