Pride Parades are a time to show one’s sexual and gender identity, and well as show presence and ask for equal rights. Today, there are hundreds of Pride celebrations around the world. However, the LGBTQ+ movement is not so strong in Japan. Indeed, the government vetoes a lot of advancement for the LGBTQ+ community, whether it be marriage, adoption, or healthcare.
Pride Month is consistently celebrated in June in the US and around the world. In Japan, Pride is year-round! There exist 25 official Pride events around Japan that take place from March to December. Here is the full list of Pride events around Japan in chronological order throughout the year.
Hakuba Rainbow Festival (March)
This smaller festival in the town of Hakuba (Nagano) in the Japanese Alps has been taking place since 2019. It is a 9-days-long celebration with a bunch of events, including skiing and snowboarding, a photo contest, and more. There is no actual parade per se. This event prides itself in welcoming people of all ages and all genders and sexualities.
Next Event
Information yet to be released.
Kyoto Rainbow Pride Parade Festival (April)
The Kyoto Rainbow Pride Parade Festival is a smaller event in the traditional city that is Kyoto. It has been taking place since 2021. Although the march gathered 200 people last year, it is more of a political demonstration than a moment of unbridled pride. With that being said, the festival does have booths and several events throughout the day, including the march.
Next Event
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Location: Kyoto Umekoji Park
Schedule (subject to change):
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am Opening ceremony at Kyoto City Hall (京都市役所)
- 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Parade
- 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Festival at Umekoji Park (梅小路公園)
Tokyo Pride (April)
This is the oldest Pride Parade in Japan, started in 1994 (it celebrated its 30th anniversary this year!). Last year, it saw 10,000 marchers parading in the streets. It is a huge celebration of Pride, taking place over three days (Friday-Sunday), with dozens of booths, free shows, and more.
Read our article about Tokyo Pride!
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Kobe Rainbow Festa (May)
This beautiful celebration in Kobe has a mantra: “It’s okay now.” It is part of the effort to recognize and celebrate diversity around Japan, and fight for equal rights. Just a couple of years old (started in 2023), it will grow bigger and bigger. It has not featured a march yet since its inception.
Next Event
Iwate Rainbow March (May)
Last year’s celebration of the Iwate Rainbow March had a wonderful slogan: “I am me~Break the silence and raise your voice~!” It had 170 marchers, the most since its inception in 2018. It is only a march and there are no booths or other events, from what we could find.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Akita Pride March (May)
Another smaller event introduced in 2022, Akita Pride March saw 200 people march last year. This celebration has people from all walks of life, and flows many flags.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
News: https://x.com/2020apm
Yamaguchi Rainbow Pride (June)
Started in 2023, the Yamaguchi Rainbow Pride had just 50 people marching last year. They aim to “increase the number of LGBTQ+ allies and make Yamaguchi a place where everyone can live comfortably.” A beautiful and straightforward message.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Nagoya Rainbow Pride (May-June)
The Nagoya Rainbow Pride is a pretty big event that has grown quickly since 2019. Its parade saw 1,200 people last year, the third biggest in Japan after Osaka and Tokyo. Nagoya is a rather LGBT-friendly city, and it is proud of it. Expect many booths and events aside from the parade.
Next Event
Date: May 17th, 2015
Location: Oasis21
Schedule:
- 10:30-18:00 Booth, stage
- 13:00-17:00 Parade
Hamamatsu Rainbow Pride (June)
Hamamatsu Rainbow Pride has been growing quickly, with already 300 marchers since 2023. With the simple words “Happy Pride!” as their mantra, they wish to improve visibility of all LGBTQ+ people, and empower them by being with their peers.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Aomori Rainbow Parade (June)
Strongly going from 24 people in 2015 to 220 in 2024, Aomori Rainbow Pride has nothing to envy from the big cities. Being able to gather so many people in a smaller city is already amazing. Their cute flag adorned with an apple is flown by many.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Sapporo Rainbow Pride (September)
Sapporo Rainbow Pride is a rather large gathering of LGBTQ+ people from all over Hokkaido. Counting 900 people at their latest parade, it is a great improvement from their beginnings in 2018. From booths to shows and events to original goods, they have it all!
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Festa Rainbow Wakayama (September-December)
This nice celebration takes place over two days. It was established in 2022 and gathered 80 people in the march last year. The schedule included a film screening about being LGBTQ+ in school on day 1 and the march on day 2, as well as booths throughout the day.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
News: http://rfw.starfree.jp/
Rainbow Festa (October)
Rainbow Festa is a huge celebration and, though they do not feature a proper parade, its size is comparable to that of Tokyo Rainbow Pride. There are many LGBTQ+ people in Osaka, and they make sure to make themselves known! Representation from all sexualities and genders, countless booths and sponsors, events and shows ahoy!
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Kanazawa Pride Parade (October)
Kanazawa, located near Tokyo, has also been a fast-growing event since 2021: last year, it gathered as many as 700 marchers. Many more people have visited its booths and participated in its events, making it a huge celebration for LGBTQ+ people in the periphery of Tokyo.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Niigata Pride Parade (October)
Niigata Pride Parade has had a shy upbringing since its creation in 2021, gathering just between 20 and 30 people at its last iteration. Nonetheless, this is an important event for people around West Honshu.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Okayama Rainbow Festival (October)
Okayama Rainbow Festival is a nice two-day festival. It features booths, shows, and a parade. The last parade saw 330 people attending. Its symbol is the epoch because Okayama is famous for peaches.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
News: https://momoniji.net/
Nara Rainbow Festival / Festa (October)
Nara, the city of deer located between Kyoto and Osaka, also has its own Pride Parade. Established since 2016, it saw 130 people parading in the streets last year. This event has many mantras: “A space that can be enjoyed by everyone, from children to adults”, “bonds that connect us all” “creating a space where we can shine as ourselves” or “a society that accepts diversity” everyone can find themselves there!
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Mie Rainbow Pride (October)
This small festival has been somewhat long established, since 2016. Last year’s parade had 50 people, but the event is still pretty consistent with many other events throughout the year (including networking events) and original merch.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Fukushima Rainbow March (November)
This event established in 2020 wants to make a change. They believe that some individuals may have left Fukushima due to the climate about LGBTQ+ in the prefecture, so they want to deepen the understanding of all people. More than a Pride parade, it’s a political statement. It gathered 100 marchers last year.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
News: https://fukushimarmarch.wixsite.com/fuku-rainbow-march/about
Kyushu Rainbow Pride (November)
Kyushu Rainbow Pride is a rather large event, with 1000 people in the march alone last year. It features many booths and events from drag artists, to singers, and dance performances. It takes place over two days.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
News: https://9rp.biz/
Tokushima Rainbow Festival (November)
This festival established in 2022 is a nice gathering. It features booths, events and of course the march, which saw 120 people last year. Fun fact: Tokushima City was the second city in Japan to introduce the partnership declaration system!
Next Event
Date: March 15th, 2025 (postponed from November this year)
Location: to be announced.
Miyagi Rainbow Parade (November)
Although this event is brand new, it didn’t start small. Seeing about 100 marchers and a dozen booths this year, it doesn’t shy away from making itself known in the city of Miyagi. Fighting for equal rights is still needed.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
News: https://x.com/mnp2416
Shimane Rainbow Parade (November)
“LGBT people exist in Shimane too.” A beautiful motto! This event started in 2023 and had a small market and a parade, with over 200 marchers. This is no small feat for being in a rural area.
Next Event
Information has yet to be released.
Tokyo Trans March (November)
The Tokyo Trans March is the only trans-focused celebration in Japan. It has been taking place every year since 2021 on the Sunday following Transgender Awareness Week. This year, over 1000 people took part in the parade, flying gay, transgender, non-binary flags, and more. Learn more about the meaning of Pride flags!
Next Event
Information yet to be released.
Pink Dot Okinawa (December)
PinkDot is a Pride celebration taking place all over Asia, and Okinawa is on the list. It is the second oldest Pride Parade in Japan, started in 2013. People dress up in pink to demand equal rights for LGBTQ+. 300 people did so last year.
Next Event
Conclusion
The effort of making Pride Parades around Japan is mainly recent, with most parades started around the last four years. It is wonderful seeing all of those individuals assemble to make their Pride known and ask for equal rights, especially in less populated or more rural areas like Shimane or Hakuba.
Japan still has a long way to go, but at least individuals are moving forward, and hopefully society as a whole will follow. Did you learn about a Pride Parade near you?
