Japan does not have one nationwide Pride date. LGBTQ+ Pride parades, marches, festivals and community gatherings take place in different cities and at different times of the year. The events in this guide range from spring festivals and regional marches to autumn parades and community gatherings.
Use the seasonal guide below to compare locations, event types and current status. Always check the linked organiser before making travel plans, as dates, venues and other details can change. This is a source-checked planning guide, rather than a complete list of every Pride event in Japan.
Last checked: 20 August 2026
When are Pride events held in Japan?
There is no single Pride season in Japan. Events take place across different parts of the year, and their formats vary too. Some are marches or parades, while others combine a festival with a parade or offer a wider programme of community activities.
The status shown for each event is part of the planning information:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Confirmed | The organiser has announced the next edition and its date |
| Completed | The listed 2026 edition has already taken place |
| Date Not Yet Announced | The organiser indicates that a 2026 edition is planned, but no firm date has been published |
| Status Not Verified | There is information suggesting an event may take place, but there is not enough current organiser confirmation to present it as confirmed |
A completed event can still be useful for context and comparison. For future planning, always check the official organiser’s information if it differs from a Japan Gay Guide website page.
Pride events to know by season
The events below are grouped by season to make them easier to compare. Each profile focuses on the event type, location and current status rather than attempting to reproduce a full programme.
March and April: mountain festivals and regional marches
Hakuba Rainbow Festival – Hakuba, Nagano
Status: Confirmed
Hakuba Rainbow Festival is different from many of the other events in this guide. It is a multi-day ski and community festival, rather than a Pride parade. The 2026 edition took place from 6 – 15 March, and the next edition is confirmed for 5 – 14 March 2027. If you are looking for a Pride event combined with a mountain and ski festival, Hakuba offers a unique experience.
Iwate Rainbow March – Morioka, Iwate
Status: Completed
Iwate Rainbow March took place in Morioka on 18 April 2026. It is a regional Pride march, with the listed date provided for reference when comparing events across Japan.
Kyoto Rainbow Pride – Kyoto
Status: Completed
Kyoto Rainbow Pride took place on 18 April 2026. It combines a festival with a parade, giving visitors the option to experience both the community event and the Pride procession.
The spring events offer quite different experiences. Hakuba centres on a multi-day festival, while Iwate focuses on a march, and Kyoto combines a festival with a parade.
May and June: Pride events from Tohoku to Tokyo and western Honshu
Several Pride events in this guide took place during late spring and early summer, including festivals and parades in Nagoya, Yamaguchi and Tokyo, as well as march and parade-based events elsewhere.
Nagoya Rainbow Pride – Nagoya, Aichi
Status: Completed
Nagoya Rainbow Pride took place on 16 May 2026. The event included a festival, stage programme, booths and a parade.
Yamaguchi Rainbow Pride – Yamaguchi
Status: Completed
Yamaguchi Rainbow Pride took place on 16 May 2026. Its programme included a parade.
Akita Pride March – Akita
Status: Completed
Akita Pride March took place on 23 May 2026. It is a Pride march rather than a festival-and-parade programme.
Tokyo Pride – Tokyo
Status: Completed
Tokyo Pride held its 2026 festival on 6 – 7 June, followed by the parade on 7 June. The festival and parade have different locations: the festival takes place at Yoyogi Park, while the parade travels through the Shibuya and Harajuku area. For detailed planning information, use the dedicated Tokyo Pride guide rather than relying on this national overview.
Aomori Rainbow Parade – Aomori
Status: Completed
Aomori Rainbow Parade took place on 28 June 2026. The parade started in the Aomori Station area and was accompanied by related programming, including a panel exhibition.
September: Toyama, Okayama, and Sapporo
September currently has three confirmed events in this guide. Two take place on the same day, but offer different experiences.
Toyama Pride March – Toyama
Status: Confirmed
Toyama Pride March is confirmed for 21 September 2026. It is a Pride march through central Toyama. If you are looking specifically for a march rather than a larger festival programme, this could be the one for you to attend.
Okayama Rainbow Festa and Parade – Okayama
Status: Confirmed
Okayama Rainbow Festa and Parade is also scheduled for 21 September 2026. Unlike Toyama’s march, the Okayama event combines a festival with a parade and is held at Shimoishii Park.
Both events are confirmed for 21 September, but they offer different formats. Check the official organiser pages for final timings and participation information before travelling.
Sapporo Rainbow Pride – Sapporo, Hokkaido
Status: Confirmed
Sapporo Rainbow Pride is confirmed for 26 – 27 September 2026. The event combines a festival with a parade. Check the organiser’s official website for the latest programme, timings and participation details.
October and November: Osaka, Fukuoka, Tokyo, and Okinawa
The autumn calendar includes both confirmed events and events whose dates or details are still developing.
Rainbow Festa!/ Kansai Rainbow Parade – Osaka
Status: Confirmed
Rainbow Festa!/ Kansai Rainbow Parade is confirmed for 10 – 11 October 2026. The event combines a festival with a parade. Check the organiser’s website and official account for the latest programme and participation details.
Kyushu Rainbow Pride – Fukuoka
Status: Date Not Yet Announced
Kyushu Rainbow Pride is included because the organiser indicates that a 2026 edition is planned. However, no date has yet been confirmed. For now, don’t rely on third-party dates until the official organiser publishes one.
Tokyo Trans March and Fest – Tokyo
Status: Status Not Verified
Tokyo Trans March and Fest is a trans-focused event and should be kept distinct from general Pride festivals. Organiser-led project material lists 15 November 2026, but the date, venue and participation details have still yet to be confirmed through the organiser’s main channel.
Pink Dot Okinawa – Okinawa
Status: Date Not Yet Announced
Pink Dot Okinawa is a Pride gathering rather than a parade. The organiser indicates a 2026 edition of the event, but a date has not yet been announced.
The autumn listings need to be read a little differently. Rainbow Festa!/ Kansai Rainbow Parade has a confirmed date, while Kyushu Rainbow Pride and Pink Dot Okinawa remain without announced dates. Tokyo Trans March has a date appearing in organiser-led material, but its status still needs final confirmation.
Before you go
Pride event details can change. Be sure to recheck the official organiser’s page before you travel, particularly for parade routes, venues, timings and weather arrangements.
Practical requirements also vary between events. Parade registration, tickets, entry rules, accessibility arrangements and photography policies should not be assumed from another Pride event.
If you need step-free access, language support, privacy around photography, or other specific information that is not clearly explained on the event page, contact the organiser directly.
More Japan Pride guides and event pages
This national guide is designed to help you compare Pride events across Japan. For detailed schedules, locations and practical information, continue to the relevant guide or event page on our website and then check the organiser’s official source.
For Tokyo, see the Tokyo Pride 2026: The Ultimate Guide for more detailed planning information.
For Kyoto, continue to the Kyoto Rainbow Pride guide for more information about the event in the ancient capital.
You can also find dedicated event pages for Toyama Pride March, Okayama Rainbow Festa, Sapporo Rainbow Pride, and Rainbow Festa Kansai.
Further information is also available about Kyushu Rainbow Pride and Tokyo Trans March 2026 as dates and programmes develop.
