HOME Tokyo and Surroundings Tokyo Harajuku Tokyo St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2020 - Asia's Largest Irish Event!

HOME Tokyo and Surroundings Tokyo Shibuya Tokyo St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2020 - Asia's Largest Irish Event!

Tokyo St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2020 - Asia's Largest Irish Event!

Date published: 16 March 2018
Last updated: 6 June 2019

Amid the many traditional Japanese festivals that take place in Tokyo each spring, an unexpected event has become a new annual tradition: The Tokyo St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade was started in 1992 by the Irish Network Japan, with support from the Embassy of Ireland, to introduce Irish culture to the people of Japan.

The parade, along with the "I Love Ireland Festival" held on St. Patrick's Day Weekend, are known as Japan’s largest Irish event, where you’ll find a multicultural crowd of Japanese and international people in attendance.

For those unfamiliar with the holiday, St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural celebration of the patron saint of Ireland. Not limited to the Irish, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in countries across the world, and people of various nationalities can be seen wearing green, Ireland’s national color each year on March 17. Parades and festivals can also be found in various international cities, featuring traditional Irish music, dancing, and other festivities to celebrate the culture.

The parade route can be find along Tokyo’s chic shopping district of Omotesando, just a five-minute walk from either Harajuku Station, or Omotesando Station, on Sunday, March 15, 2020, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

This will be the parade’s 28th year in Tokyo. It is a fun family event with marching bands, Irish dancers and musicians, Irish Wolfhounds and Irish Setters all decked out in green. Shamrock face-painting and other events will also be held. Remember to wear something green on the day!

*The parade will not be postponed due to rain!

Admission: Free
Hours: 1pm - 3pm
Date: March 15, 2020

Asia's largest Irish festival returns again this year to Yoyogi Park on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15. Join over 100,000 visitors as they celebrate Ireland's national holiday!

Admission: Free
Hours: 10am - 6pm
Date: March 14 & 15, 2020

For the adults, Tokyo is home to quite a few Irish pubs that also tend to hold celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day. Here you can find Irish beer, whiskey, beef stew, and more to eat and drink well into the evening hours. Enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day – the Japanese way!

The Irish Network Japan (INJ) is a non-profit organization made up of Irish and Japanese volunteers. The group aims to promote Irish culture in Japan, as well as promoting cultural exchange and connection between the countries of Ireland and Japan. This is achieved holding regular events related to Irish culture and traditions in several cities in Japan including Nagoya, Chiba, Mie, and Tokyo. The largest of which, being the Tokyo St. Patrick’s Day Parade.