Modern gay pride events trace their roots to the Stonewall riots of 1969, and today that landmark moment in LGBTQ+ history is celebrated and remembered all over the world. It is a time for resolve in the face of struggles yet to be overcome, but also for joy at the strides taken and victories won by the queer movement.
Tokyo is no exception, and 2025 promises to be no different as this headline annual festival enters its fourth decade. The capital’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer folk are set to come out to show their pride to the city, the country, and the world.
What is Tokyo Rainbow Pride?
Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2025
Date: To be confirmed
Address: To be confirmed; Yoyogi Park
Tokyo Rainbow Pride has been a must-attend event in the Japanese LGBTQ+ calendar since its inaugural Tokyo Pride Parade in 1994. In the following years, management difficulties and challenging social norms meant that the parade was not always held each year, depending on the circumstances. In 2011, the volunteer association Tokyo Rainbow Pride was formed to guarantee that the LGBTQ+ community would never need to worry that the parade – and the associated events that had by now sprung up alongside it – would ever be in doubt. Since then, participation in the parade has swelled from 4,500 in 2012 to more than 240,000 attending this inclusive festival today.
In 2024, the theme of Tokyo Rainbow Pride was “don’t give up, change Japan.” This defiant slogan recognizes that Japan still has a way to go when it comes to the acceptance of sexual minorities in society and the legal protections that they require. However, 2024 alone has seen major victories for LGBTQ+ people in Japan, from the Sapporo High Court ruling that the ban on same sex-marriage is unconstitutional, to the Hiroshima High Court allowing a trans woman to legally change her gender without undergoing gender-affirming surgery. Tokyo Rainbow Pride serves not only as a reminder that there is much to be done, but is a chance to celebrate the wins over the last year – and indeed, the last 30 years since the parade began as an ad-hoc group marching from Shinjuku to Shibuya.
Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2024
Date: April 19 (Fri) to April 21 (Sun), 11am to 6pm (Parade on April 21)
Address: Yoyogi Park, 2-1 Yoyogikamizono-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tokyo Rainbow Pride Schedule
Schedule for Tokyo Pride Beats 2025 is still to be confirmed. Japan Gay Guide will update once they are released.
Tokyo Rainbow Pride is more than just its centerpiece parade, though. Tokyo Rainbow Pride takes place over the course of a three-day weekend, starting Friday, in mid-to-late April. During this time. Yoyogi Park swells with visitors visiting the booths, eating delicious food, drinking refreshing beverages, and mingling with the rest of the community. With many performances, speeches, and extravagant dress all on show, it’s a terrific chance for tourists and newcomers to get acquainted with Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ culture, and for Tokyo residents to catch up with their people.
Tokyo Pride Stage - 4/19~4/21
The stage is where the majority of performances and speeches will be taking place. Viewing is free for anyone, but if there’s a particular act you want to see or a talk you want to listen to, it’s advisable to check the timing and show up early, lest you be stuck at the back of the crowd.
Naturally, most of the speeches given will be in Japanese, and will be covering subjects relating to Japanese gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and queer issues. That being said, the languages of dance and music are understood by all, so anyone can enjoy the performers and their acts.
Tokyo Pride Booth - 4/19~4/21
During the Tokyo Rainbow Pride weekend, Yoyogi Park comes alive with booths run by various organizations, businesses, and groups. It’s at these stands that you can learn more about how businesses are supporting Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ community, how you can get involved in local activism, or take part in a workshop regarding civil rights, inclusivity, and mental health.
Food trucks are also out in force to offer tasty meals and drinks to peckish people, with a wide range of cuisines available. Additionally, there are a number of areas for families and friends to relax and take a break from the lively atmosphere of Tokyo Rainbow Pride and relax for a while.
Tokyo Pride Parade - 4/21
The main event of Tokyo Rainbow Pride is the Pride Parade itself. Although the first march 30 years ago allowed participants to join at any time, today it is necessary to register beforehand in order to take part in the parade. You can pre-register online, choosing which group you would like to walk with, and assemble with them on the day of the parade. It is also possible to register at a reception booth in Yoyogi the day of and the day before the parade – however, these spots are limited, and these in-person registrations will close once every group has reached capacity, so make sure you register early.
The Tokyo Rainbow Pride Parade itself is a 3km looping march from Yoyogi Park, via Shibuya and Harajuku. Along the way, you can expect to be greeted by cheering spectators, all of whom will be lining the route to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community in Tokyo and beyond. It’s after this walk that you will arrive back at Yoyogi for the booths and the events they promote, so you can be sure of a full day of fun and friendship.
If you want to know more about the Tokyo Pride Parade, check this out!
Tokyo Pride After Party - 4/19, 4/21
As we’ve mentioned, Tokyo Rainbow Pride both celebrates and promotes the tenacity and spirit of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer people in Japan – and official and unofficial after parties make up a big part of that rebellious spirit!
The Pride Carnival is the official after-party run by Tokyo Rainbow Pride, and in 2024 was sponsored by the popular AiSOTOPE Lounge, which held the bash in the basement of Shibuya Tower Records. It featured a host of drag queens and gogo boy dancers, all moving to the beats of tunes played by local DJs such as DJ Masai and Ko Kimura.
Opulence, a drag queen competition usually held in Eagle Blue Tokyo’s bar in Nichcome, Shinjuku, also held a contest for up-and-coming queens in Shibuya.
Other events during Tokyo Rainbow Parade
As you can imagine, the gayborbood of Nichome in Shinjuku, already known for its lively night scene, really pushes the boat out loud and proud for the Tokyo Rainbow Pride weekend. It’s an especially good time to take a look around (if you haven’t already) and explore the partying and drinking options available. Why not take a look at our guides for the top 10 gay bars, or our nightlife guide, for some ideas?
Tokyo Pride Beats
Running concurrently with the Tokyo Rainbow Pride weekend, Tokyo Pride Beats is a three day music and dance festival that holds six events over the three days, in four different venues. BRAND SHIBUYA, D-light, Tokyo, club asia, and WALL&WALL are the places to be, with the last hosting the kick-off event, the Happy Pride Tea Dance.
J-pop, K-pop, disco, and techno are all represented at these events, so you’re bound to find a party to suit your needs.
If you want to know more about Tokyo Pride Beats, check this out!
Make Your Plans to Join Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2025
Next year’s Tokyo Rainbow Pride weekend is still over six months away, but as we’ve seen, the celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and community only gets bigger, better, and more exciting every year. So if you’re in Tokyo in April 2025, make sure to keep your diary clear, because the festivities are bound to be more exciting than ever before.
