For three decades, the Tokyo Pride Parade has made headlines for its lively atmosphere, multitude of activities, and promotion of LGBTQ+ acceptance and solidarity throughout the city. Beginning in 1994, then known as the 1st Lesbian and Gay Parade, this momentous event immediately gained popularity and blossomed not only into a parade, but into a week-long roster of queer-related events in Tokyo known as Tokyo Pride.
However, to this day, the parade remains at the heart of the festivities, and regularly draws over 1,100 marchers per year. Beginning in Yoyogi Park, the parade route stretches approximately 3km, winding through Harajuku and Shibuya. And after it’s over, after parties – including Tokyo Pride Beats, an LGBTQ+ music festival – celebrating the end of the parade, begin!
More info on Tokyo Pride Beats in the article below.
Every year, the Tokyo Pride Parade is held in late April at the very end of the Tokyo Pride festivities, which usually occur in Yoyogi Park. Some of the events of Tokyo Pride include prominent queer activists as guest speakers, various booths such as the Tokyo Pride Official Goods Shop, and LGBTQ+ musical performers taking to the stage.
How to Register for Tokyo Pride Parade 2025
Participating in the parade and in Tokyo Pride is always free of charge, but keep in mind that you’ll have to pre-register online or at one of the registration booths to march in the parade. At one of these booths, you’ll get an official wristband giving you the go-ahead to march. The registration booths are open the day before and the day of the parade. Check out the parade section of Tokyo Pride’s website to learn more about how to register!
Tokyo Pride Parade 2024
Date: Sunday, April 21st, 2024 – exact assembly times differ based on registration group
Address: Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium, 2-1-1 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041
While we don’t yet know the specific lineup of events for 2025, here’s some more info about the 2024 parade route, so you can get an idea about what to expect next year.
2024 Tokyo Pride Route
Marchers in the parade gathered at the Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium near Yoyogi Park, and then headed to the starting point near LINE CUBE SHIBUYA, another event stadium and concert hall in the area. They then traversed the parade route lying between Shibuya Station and Harajuku Station, passing various landmarks along the way, such as the Shibuya Tower Records store and Miyashita Park, a charming man-made park sitting on the third floor of a shopping center of the same name.
They then crossed under the train tracks connecting Shibuya Station and Harajuku Station, before heading back up, to return to Yoyogi National Stadium (containing Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium), on the opposite end of the building.
Tokyo Pride Parade’s 30th Anniversary
Schedule for Tokyo Pride Parade 2025 is still awaiting. We will update once they are released.
The Tokyo Pride Parade of 2024 was the 30th anniversary of the first parade in 1994, and featured special guest speakers tied to LGBTQ+ activism to commemorate the event.
One of these individuals was Teishiro Minami, a founding member of the Tokyo Pride Parade. Not only did he help in setting up the first parade, but he also founded Rainbow Reel Tokyo, the city’s premier LGBTQ+ film festival, and started the Japanese branch of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).
Another project created for the 2024 parade was Japan Pride 30th, a special magazine commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Tokyo Pride Parade. The magazine outlines the journey of Tokyo pride from its inception in the ‘90s all the way to today, and stresses the importance of continuing to make progress in the future, such as by legalizing same-sex marriage in Japan.
The creators of the magazine set up a fundraising campaign to finance the publication of Japan Pride 30th, and it ended up raising over 2.1 million yen.
Join the Tokyo Pride Parade in 2025!
As an institution of Tokyo Pride, the Tokyo Pride Parade is always open to newcomers who want to join in on the celebration. Come take part in the fun with over a thousand fellow marchers in order to meet like-minded people and learn more about LGBTQ+ culture and activism in Japan.
Since the date of the 2025 parade is still not available, make sure to regularly check Tokyo Pride’s website and Japan Gay Guide to find out when it’s going to happen. We hope to see you there!
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