Japan Parade Returning To The Upper West Side: What To Know

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The Japan Parade is returning to the Upper West Side next month after its successful first rendition last year, organizers of the event recently announced.

The parade will take place on May 13, and will feature Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi as this year's Grand Marshall.

The parade will march down Central Park West from 81st to 67th streets, and feature a live performance by the cast of the of Live Spectacle "Naruto."

Along with the parade, there will also be a Japan Street Fair the same day at West 72nd Street. The fair will include calligraphy, water balloon yo-yo fishing, origami, photo opportunities, and a giveaway.

The street fair will feature 20 tents serving authentic Japanese food, which is nearly double the amount of food options at last year's event.

Additionally, the Harlem Japanese Gospel Choir and the Japanese Taiko drumming group Soh Daiko are scheduled to perform and march with the parade.

The Japan Day Festival took place annually in Central Park starting in 2007, before switching locations to 67th Street between Columbus and Central Park West in 2022.

The purpose of the first-time parade last year was to "celebrate, express and bring awareness to the friendship between NYC and Japan." Star Trek actor George Takei took part as the parade's Grand Marshall.

Here's a little more of a preview for the 2023 Japan Parade.