Join the Parade!

The 5th Annual Japan Parade will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

We are looking for units and groups that can present the unique appeal of Japanese culture and further encourage the friendship between Japan and the United States. We hope you will march with us!

【Japan Parade】

Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026

Time: 1:00PM – 3:30PM (TBD)

Route: Central Park West, from 81st Street to 68th or 67th Street (southbound)

【Participating Unit Examples】

・Traditional performing arts (bon-odori, Nihon-buyō, gagaku, shamisen, taiko, etc.)

・Traditional dress and costuming as samurai (armor and hakama), in kimono, etc.

・Musical groups such as marching bands

・Martial ats (aikido, karate, kendo, kyūdō, judo, sumo, etc.), other sports

・Pop Culture

・Schools, children's groups, prefectural associations (kenjin-kai), hobby groups, etc.

【Participating Styles】

・Units may march while playing musical instruments, dancing, wearing matching costumes/uniforms, with flags and/or banners, with props, etc.

・Please include details such as dance or performance style, costumes, and sound system needs in your application form.

＊The promotion of products and other advertising activities are restricted to sponsors only. Should your unit be interested, please contact the Japan Day Project Liaison Office for further information.

Note: For copyright and licensing reasons, cosplaying or reproducing specific licensed characters or intellectual property (IP) from anime, manga, games, or other media is not permitted, unless explicit permission from the rights holder has been obtained and approved by the Japan Day Project Liaison Office.

【Large Flag and Portable Shrine (Omikoshi) Bearers】

Organizations interested in carrying the large national flags of Japan and the United States or holding and carrying the portable shrine (mikoshi) are encouraged to contact the Japan Day Project Liaison Office. To be considered, your unit must have 20 or more members who can carry a national flag or mikoshi the entire parade route. Slots for the national flag and mikoshi bearers are limited. Should interest exceed availability, the Japan Day Project Liaison Office will conduct a selection process.

【Performance Groups】

・Performance-based groups such as dance groups, musical groups, martial arts groups, etc. may have a 1-minute performance at the Grand Stand area.
・This one minute includes entering the carpeted area, setting up, performing, and leaving the area.

＊If there are too many performance-based groups, the Japan Day Project Liaison Office will conduct a selection process.

【Music】

Music used in performances must be covered by our blanket license. Please search the BMI and ASCAP databases to see if your music qualifies.
Original pieces of music are eligible even if not listed in the database.

【Participating Unit Requirements】

・Group Name: The name of your group cannot promote a business or product unless your group is a corporate sponsor. Should your unit be interested, please contact the Japan Day Project Liaison Office for further information.

・Unit Size: Units should have at least 10 individual participants. (Should your unit have fewer than 10, please contact the Japan Day Project Liaison Office.)

・Banners: Units are recommended to have a banner. Units that have previously participated in the Japan Parade between 2022 and 2025 may use the same banners. Banners for first time participants, as well as previous participants who wish to make a new banners are subject to approval via photo review. The Japan Day Project Liaison Office can recommend a printing service if a new banner is required.

Note: The Japan Day Project Liaison Office will no longer be supplying banner carrier volunteers to groups, and groups must carry their own banners. The Japan Day Project Liaison Office will also no longer be responsible for holding banners in storage.

・Speakers: Starting in 2026, the Japan Parade Office will discontinue providing speaker rentals. If you wish to rent a speaker, we can introduce you to a rental vendor.
Please note that if you plan to use a speaker from a vendor other than the one introduced by our office, prior approval from the Japan Parade Office will be required.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your kind understanding.

【Participation Fee】

While there is no participation fee, all costs associated with your unit’s participation (such as transportation, accommodation, costumes, props, rehearsal, speaker rental fees, etc.) are the responsibility of the participating unit.

【Application Deadline, Review, and Results】　

Please submit your unit’s application form by Monday, February 16, 2026. Once submitted, the application will be reviewed by the Japan Day Project Liaison Office. Please note that we may decline your unit’s application depending on factors including but not limited to the total number of applications. Your unit will be notified whether or not your unit’s application has been accepted by late March.

【Contact】

For more information, please contact the Japan Day Liaison Office at: info@japandaynyc.org