Fifth Japan Parade Draws 50,000 to Manhattan

The fifth Japan Parade to promote Japanese culture drew about 50,000 people to Manhattan, New York, on Saturday despite heavy rain, Japan Times reported. About 100 organizations including companies, schools and groups of Japanese nationals from various prefectures took part in the event. Participants marched through the streets performing dances, martial arts and taiko drumming.

Festival-style stalls were set up offering Japanese food, with lines forming in front of those selling yakitori and taiyaki. Defying the downpour, performers delivered their routines, including a board-breaking karate demonstration that drew cheers from the crowd. A man attending the parade said it was his first time eating takoyaki and that he enjoyed it.

Japan Times reported that the event maintained its full schedule of activities through the rain. At the end of the parade, cast members from a stage adaptation of the manga and anime series "Jujutsu Kaisen" appeared. A woman living in New York wearing Japanese anime merchandise said she was happy to see the cast members because she loves anime.

Nagasaki Prefecture featured local traditional female entertainers known as geikoshi or geisha in the Japan Parade event. The New York Times included the city of Nagasaki in its 52 places to go list for 2026. " The event took place one day before Japan Times published its account on May 10, 2026.

Organizers reported the attendance figure of about 50,000, which reflected strong turnout despite the weather. Performances continued without interruption as rain fell throughout much of the parade route.