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Tokyo St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2023 - Asia's Largest Irish Event!

Date published: 16 March 2018
Last updated: 1 March 2023

Amid the many traditional Japanese festivals 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 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, is known as Japan’s largest Irish event, where you’ll find a multicultural crowd of Japanese and international people in attendance.

*The I Love Ireland Festival had been held in previous years; the 2023 schedule is not confirmed as of time of publication.

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 found along Tokyo’s chic shopping district of Omotesando, just a five-minute walk from either Harajuku Station, or Omotesando Station, on Sunday, March 12, 2023, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

This year will be the first time in four years for the parade to be held. 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: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
・Date: March 12, 2023

Asia's largest Irish festival is held in Yoyogi Park on the same weekend as the St. Patrick's Day Parade. In past years, over 100,000 visitors joined in celebrating Ireland's national holiday.

The festival will be held on March 11-12 (Saturday & Sunday) in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park.

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.