Where to Watch Japan’s World Cup Matches
Here’s where to cheer on Samurai Blue in the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 11, and even the most casual soccer fans are heading to their favorite sports bars to watch. If you love Samurai Blue here are a few places where you can enjoy Japan’s national team in action and hang out with members of the community.
Gosuke Restaurant
Lunch: 12:00 p.m. | Game Time: 4:00 p.m.
In the Henn na Hotel – 235 W. 35th Street
Soccer is better with sushi, beer, and great company!
Located inside the Henn na Hotel in Midtown, Gosuke Restaurant is hosting a special Game Watch Party. They promise great vibes as you cheer on Samurai Blue.
Can’t argue with their philosophy: “Kickoff, cold beer, and sushi—what else do you need?”
Soccer Sundays
New York Hall of Science – 47-01 111th Street, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Enjoy “World Cup in the World’s Borough” as Queens Night Market partners with the borough of Queens to host free World Cup watch parties for the Queens community. Every Sunday during the World Cup, the matches will be broadcast on an outdoor 30-foot LED screen at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
There is plenty of room to picnic, and Queens Night Market is curating a selection of affordable food and beverages for purchase.
Schedule this Sunday, June 14
Germany vs Curaçao – 1:00 p.m.
Netherlands vs Japan – 4:00 p.m.
Côte d’Ivoire vs Ecuador – 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit Queens.NYC.
Kick off the 2026 World Cup at Japan Village
Japan Village Courtyard – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn
Sunday, June 14 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Japan Village in Brooklyn invites fans to cheer on Team Japan and enjoy all the fun.
Live game screening
Beer, sake, and food vendors outside
Team Japan merch
Free beer ticket with shirt purchase
To RSVP, please visit Japan Village’s website.
JCCI/NC/JAA Young Professionals Present: FIFA World Cup Watch Party
Sunday, June 14
Doors Open 3:00 p.m. | Game Time: 4:00 p.m.
Playwright Irish Pub – 27 W. 35th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 2nd floor event space
Admission: $20 (includes one free drink)
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), The Nippon Club, and the JAA Young Professionals present a FIFA World Cup watch party at Playwright Irish Pub in Midtown. Cheer on Samurai Blue’s first World Cup match of 2026 as they take on the Netherlands!
Network with members of the Japanese and Japanese American community in New York. Representatives from local soccer teams New York City FC and Red Bull New York will also be on hand. There will be raffle for $10 per ticket (cash only); prizes include NYCFC and Red Bull New York match tickets, merch, and more!
Registration is not required, but you may RSVP through this link. Watch Party organizers will collect payment at the door.
Live Streaming at Lucky Cat
Midtown East izakaya Lucky Cat is live streaming three of Japan’s matches in the first stage of the World Cup.
Schedule
Japan vs Netherlands – Sunday, June 14 at 4:00 p.m.
Japan vs Tunisia – Saturday, June 20 at Midnight
Japan vs. Sweden – Thursday, June 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Kirin Beer and Takara Shochu are sponsoring these events. Enjoy happy hour at Kirin Beer, where you can win souvenirs. Takara Shochu will offer a special shot called “The Blue Samurai” for all customers whenever Japan scores a goal.
Make a reservation in advance to ensure your spot and get the most out of this exciting event.
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Cheer on Samurai Blue in NYC
FIFA World Cup Watch Party: Netherlands vs Japan
FIFA World Cup Watch Party: Netherlands vs Japan
Sunday, June 14
Doors Open 3:00 p.m. | Game Time: 4:00 p.m.
Playwright Irish Pub – 27 W. 35th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 2nd floor event space
Admission: $20 (includes one free drink)
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), The Nippon Club, and the JAA Young Professionals present a FIFA World Cup watch party at Playwright Irish Pub in Midtown. Cheer on Samurai Blue’s first World Cup match of 2026 as they take on the Netherlands!
Network with members of the Japanese and Japanese American community in New York. Representatives from local soccer teams New York City FC and Red Bull New York will also be on hand. There will be raffle for $10 per ticket (cash only); prizes include NYCFC and Red Bull New York match tickets, merch, and more!
Registration is not required, but you may RSVP through this link. Watch Party organizers will collect payment at the door.
Enjoying JapanCulture•NYC? This site is supported by our community, and a $5/month membership helps offset the costs of keeping it running so we can continue spotlighting the people and events that make our community shine. Please click here to join.
Naomi Watanabe Brings Her Stand-up Comedy to NYC
The Japanese pop culture icon will perform at The Town Hall in NYC this Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Naomi Watanabe – From Tokyo
Saturday, June 6 at 8:00 p.m. (Doors open at 7:00 p.m.)
The Town Hall – 123 W. 43rd Street (between 6th Avenue and Broadway)
Admission: $51.45
There are still a handful of tickets available for Naomi Watanabe’s stand-up comedy show at The Town Hall on Saturday, June 6.
The Japanese pop culture icon, who has almost 10 million Instagram followers, set a Guinness World Record for most tickets sold for a comedy show by a solo female comedian when 44,356 fans packed Tokyo Dome to see her perform on February 11, 2026. She kicked off her first North American tour this April.
More than a comedian, Watanabe is also an actress, model, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and advocate for plus-size women. Her streetwear brand, PUNYUS, which she launched in 2014, has forced Japan’s fashion industry to be more inclusive. To learn more about Watanabe, please visit her website.
To purchase tickets, please visit The Town Hall’s website.
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Midori Kashiwagi Free Dance Performance
Watch Japanese dancer Midori Kashiwagi light up the stage with her amazing moves!
The World of Midori Kashiwagi
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 from 7:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. (Doors open at 7:00 p.m.)
L'Alliance New York Florence Gould Theater – 55 E. 59th Street (between Madison and Park Avenues)
Admission: Free
Watch Japanese dancer Midori Kashiwagi light up the stage with her amazing moves!
This in-person event promises a unique blend of passion and energy that you don’t want to miss. Feel the rhythm and experience the magic up close.
The concert is free, but reservations are required. To reserve your seat, please visit Mar Creation’s Eventbrite page.
Program
My Heart Still Belongs To You | 時が過ぎても
Carmen, the Femme Fatale | 魔性の女 カルメン
Production
Concept / Direction / Choreography: Midori Kashiwagi
Support Dancers: Emanuele Fiore, Scott Weber, Eiki Asai
Lighting: Michiko Mochizuki
Stage Manager: Michiho Shimasaki
Music: Keith Rubinstein
Costumes: Satomi Motoyanagi, Yoichi Iwato
Photography: Naoya Ikegami
Production: Mar Creation – Hiroshi Kono
About Midori Kashiwagi
Midori Kashiwagi began studying traditional Japanese dance at the age of six and became a certified Natori (master-level performer) of the Kashiwagi School at fifteen. After working as a commercial talent, Kashiwagi made her debut as an actress with Shochiku and later appeared in television dramas as a freelance performer.
She moved to New York for three years to further her dance studies, training in jazz dance under renowned teachers, including Fred Benjamin. After returning to Japan, she founded her own jazz dance studio.
Drawing upon her experience as an actress, Kashiwagi creates a distinctive artistic word that blends jazz dance, modern dance, and traditional Japanese dance in innovative and expressive productions.
Her five performances in New York received critical acclaim and were featured in The New York Times, The Village Voice, New York Yomiuri, NY Seikatsu, and Yomi Time. A documentary of her third performance, a collaboration with Madonna’s backup dancers, was co-produced by Shizuoka Daiichi Television and New York Marcom and was broadcast nationwide in Japan. In April 2024, she performed at Japan Society in New York
Kashiwagi presents an original production annually and continues to pursue ambitious creative collaborations, including performances with Hidetake Togi, puppet artist Hori Hiroshi, and composer Takashi Niigaki. To learn more, please visit her website.
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MINT: Promoting Diversity in Manga
From May 29 to June 2, a series of public events on Japanese manga will be held across New York City, organized by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan Arts Council, and the Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture (JPIC) as part of the MINT (Manga International Network Team) project.
NYC Manga Event Series
Friday, May 29 through Tuesday, June 2
Various Locations
Admission: Free
From May 29 to June 2, a series of public events on Japanese manga will be held across New York City, organized by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan Arts Council, and the Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture (JPIC) as part of the MINT (Manga International Network Team) project.
About MINT
Manga International Network Team (MINT) aims to support early career manga artists and their editors in Japan, who are working to achieve a global presence, and to increase the recognition and value of manga’s diversity overseas.
What makes this series distinctive is its focus on the breadth of manga beyond the mainstream, anime-linked shōnen titles that often dominate international visibility. The program highlights alternative manga, graphic medicine, and manga as a literary and artistic practice, offering points of engagement not only for established manga readers but also for those interested in graphic novels and visual storytelling more broadly. For more information, please visit MINT’s website.
Book Launch & Signing with Tokushige Kawakatsu
Friday, May 29 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Desert Island Comics – 490 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn
Desert Island welcomes Kawakatsu Tokushige for an author signing of his new book The Cursed Body from Glacier Bay Books. Meet this talented indie Japanese artist, selected by MINT manga to represent Japan’s modern manga culture.
Kawakatsu served as editor of the Kakù doujinshi alternative manga magazine and periodically self-releases the magazine Kagyu (The Snail), from which both stories in The Cursed Body are drawn. Both stories draw heavily on traditional Japanese ghost stories (kaiki) and historical rental manga (kashihon) to deliver deep, surreal, and spooky reads.
Illness in Illustration: Graphic Medicine in Japan and North America
Monday, June 1 from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library – 455 5th Avenue (Rooftop)
With manga artist Moka Onmae, editor Tsubasa Kosaka, and comic artist Gianna Paniagua
Moderated by Kriota Willberg
Alternative Manga: Yesterday and Today
Tuesday, June 2 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
School of Visual Arts – 133 W. 21st Street, Room 101C
With manga artists Tokushige Kawakatsu and Akino Kondoh and editor Emily Yoshimoto
Moderated by translator and manga historian Ryan Holmberg
A preview of the MINT catalog, featuring works by all participating artists in English translation, is available. Click here to download a free PDF.
After the events in New York, the manga artists and editors will travel to Toronto, Canada, to participate in TCAF (Toronto Comic Arts Festival). They will be joining other MINT participants—both manga artists and editors—for the event there. This year’s TCAF poster was created by Battan. Learn more at TCAF’s website.
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Kimono and crafts
Step into a day of vintage fashion, handmade artistry, cosplay inspiration, and creative workshops at Kaede’s Vintage Kimono Sale!
Kaede’s Vintage Kimono Sale & Craft Market
Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Kaede Kimonos Sales and Rental – 347 W. 36th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues), 2nd Floor
Step into a day of vintage fashion, handmade artistry, cosplay inspiration, and creative workshops at Kaede’s Vintage Kimono Sale! This Saturday, Kaede Kimonos + The Dark Fae Collaborative are hosting a special shopping and community event.
Highlights
• A curated selection of vintage Japanese kimonos, yukata, accessories, and unique fashion finds from Kaede Kimonos
• Special guest collaboration with The Dark Fae Collaborative featuring:
3D printed fantasy and cosplay items
Custom handmade masks
Accessories and collectibles for cosplayers, creators, and fantasy lovers
Immersive creative workshops hosted by members of The Dark Fae Collaborative
RSVP to attend the kimono sale by visiting Kaede’s Eventbrite page. Register for the workshops individually below.
Create Your Own Solid Perfume Workshop
11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Price: $65 per person
Register on Eventbrite
Create your own custom solid perfumes inspired by classical East Asian fragrance traditions while enjoying a relaxing tea ceremony or blooming tea experience.
Attendees will
Explore traditional and modern fragrance notes
Make and take home TWO solid perfumes
Use ceramic perfume containers
Enjoy tea service during the workshop
Craft Social: Rosette Making
4:00 p.m.
Price: $150 per person
Register on Eventbrite
Learn to create decorative ribbon rosettes inspired by Lolita fashion, ita bags, party favors, and kawaii aesthetics in this cozy, beginner-friendly craft social.
Attendees will
Use crafting tools and materials provided
Enjoy tea and snacks
Leave with a completed handmade rosette
Receive tea samples to take home
This welcoming social crafting experience is designed for ages 18+ and includes discounted group bookings for parties of 5 or more.
Enjoying JapanCulture•NYC? This site is supported by our community, and a $5/month membership helps offset the costs of keeping it running so we can continue spotlighting the people and events that make our community shine. Please click here to join.
Night Market at Japan Village Brooklyn
The Japan Village Night Market in Brooklyn is taking place on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Japan Village Courtyard in Industry City.
Night Market
Friday, May 29, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Japan Village Courtyard – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn
Admission: Free
The Japan Village Night Market in Brooklyn is taking place on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Japan Village Courtyard in Industry City. The event features live music, local art vendors, games, and a curated selection of Japanese food and drinks.
Live Entertainment
Dancer Ayaka Asada will perform, and there will also be a live set by DJ Skymall Future.
For more information, please visit Japan Village’s social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook.
Enjoying JapanCulture•NYC? This site is supported by our community, and a $5/month membership helps offset the costs of keeping it running so we can continue spotlighting the people and events that make our community shine. Please click here to join.
Slant Shares AAPI Histories Through Music at La Mama
Slant returns to The Club to dig deeper and wider into the liminal space between past and present with Lucky FM 2.
Lucky FM 2
Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT
Thursday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m.*
Saturday, May 30 at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 31 at 3:00 p.m.
The Club @ La Mama Experimental Theatre Club – 74A E. 4th Street (between 2nd Avenue and Bowery)
Admission: $30 Adults | $25 Students/Seniors | $10 La MaMa Members
Slant returns to The Club to dig deeper and wider into the liminal space between past and present with Lucky FM 2. Through the underground radio’s telethon portal, Slant journeys through AANHPI histories with bamboo flutes, drums, and guitars, telling stories of the Japanese American concentration camps, the International Hotel, Vincent Chin, and today. Performed viscerally through music, dance, and humor, Slant finds unity amidst chaos in a celebration of community.
All seating is general admission.
Tonight’s performance is sold out, but there are four more dates from which to choose! To purchase tickets, please visit La Mama’s website.
*Friday’s performance is also available online. Livestream tickets are $15-$45, and you can purchase them by clicking here.
About Slant
Slant is the trio ensemble of Rick Ebihara, Wayland Quintero, and Perry Yung. In 1995, Slant premiered Big Dicks, Asian Men to counter Hollywood stereotypes by deconstructing race-baiting toxic masculinity through music, humor, and dance. The production received rave critical reviews and led to touring across America and international appearances in the former Yugoslavia and Lijiang, China. This was followed by other works throughout the 2000s that featured farcical themes punctuated by outlandish and poignant moments that audiences flocked to see at La MaMa and across the U.S.
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Adaptation of Edogawa Rampo’s HUMAN CHAIR
What does it mean to be utterly consumed by longing for another?
HUMAN CHAIR
Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
UNDER St. Marks – 94 St. Marks Place (between 1st Avenue and Avenue A)
Admission: $20 (plus $2.50 fee)
Illustration by @zoroze.art
What does it mean to be utterly consumed by longing for another? In this unsettling dance-theatre work, performed by Yusuke Mori and Zo Roze, a craftsman's obsession takes a form both intimate and grotesque: He sews himself inside the furniture of the woman he desires.
Adapted from the classic story by Edogawa Rampo, Japan's master of the macabre whose pen name is itself a winking tribute to his idol Edgar Allan Poe, HUMAN CHAIR transforms the story's dark, suffocating premise into something visceral and physical.
Performed in Japanese with English subtitles. Runtime is 80 minutes. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Frigid New York’s website.
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Japanese Horror Focus for 3 NYC Talks
Literary magazine MONKEY to have three discussions in NYC this weekend.
MONKEY Vol. 6 Horror
Friday, May 15, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Kinokuniya New York – 1073 Avenue of the Americas (between 40th and 41st Streets)
Admission: Free
Head to Kinokuniya New York at 5:30 p.m. Friday forMONKEY Vol. 6 Horror, an evening exploring the strange, uncanny, and unforgettable worlds of contemporary Japanese horror literature!
This literary discussion features authors Hideo Furukawa and Tomoka Shibasaki, translators Ted Goossen and Kendall Heitzman, MONKEY contributing editor Roland Kelts, and MONKEY founder Motoyuki Shibata. The panel will be followed by a Q&A and book signing.
Participants
Hideo Furukawa is one of Japan’s most innovative writers. He is the author of Slow Boat; Belka, Why Don't You Bark?; and The Tale of the Heike: The Inu-Oh Chapters, which inspired the Golden Globe–nominated film Inu-Oh. The English translation will be published under the MONKEY imprint in 2027.
Tomoka Shibasaki is a novelist and short story writer. Her work includes the novel Spring Garden and the groundbreaking collection A Hundred Years and a Day, translated by Polly Barton (MONKEY/Stone Bridge Press, 2025).
Ted Goossen is a literary translator and professor emeritus at York University in Toronto. He is a founding editor of MONKEY and has translated works by Haruki Murakami, Naoya Shiga, and Hiromi Kawakami, including Dragon Palace (MONKEY/Stone Bridge Press, 2023).
Kendall Heitzman is an associate professor of Japanese literature and culture at the University of Iowa. He has translated works by Kaori Fujino and Hideo Furukawa, among others. His translation of The Tale of the Heike: The Inu-Oh Chapters is forthcoming.
Roland Nozomu Kelts is a contributing editor to MONKEY New Writing from Japan. An award-winning journalist and the author of Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture has Invaded the US and The Art of Blade Runner: Black Lotus, he writes for publications in the US, Japan, and Europe, including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times,among others, and has contributed to several book-length collections. He was a Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University and teaches at Waseda University in Tokyo. He is currently filming a documentary about manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka.
Motoyuki Shibata translates American literature and runs the Japanese literary journal MONKEY and its offspring, MONKEY New Writing from Japan. He has translated Paul Auster, Rebecca Brown, Stuart Dybek, Brian Evenson, Laird Hunt, Kelly Link, and Steven Millhauser, among many others.
At Japan Society
In addition to Friday’s talk at Kinokuniya, Japan Society is hosting Hideo Furukawa and Tomoka Shibasaki for a pair of events on Sunday, May 17. The acclaimed, award-winning novelists will spend the afternoon discussing Japanese horror and adapting books to the screen. Roland Kelts will moderate both events.
From Page to Screen – The Art and Anxiety of Adaptation
Sunday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m.
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Admission: $28 General | $22 Japan Society members
Hideo Furukawa and Tomoka Shibasaki are two of Japan’s most highly acclaimed authors, and their books have been adapted into successful films shown worldwide. Shibasaki’s Asleep or Awake was turned into the live-action film Asako I & II by Oscar-winning director Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car). Furukawa’s Tale of the Heike: The Inu-Oh Chapters was adapted into the epic animated feature Inu-Oh by Masaaki Yuasa (Devilman Crybaby). In conversation with Japanamerica author Roland Kelts, Furukawa and Shibasaki will address the sometimes-jarring experience of having their original words transformed into immutable images, when works of the imagination leap from one medium to another. Were the adaptations consistent with their imagination and visions, or wildly divergent?
What’s Japanese in Japanese Horror – With Authors Hideo Furukawa and Tomoka Shibasaki
Sunday, May 17 at 3:30 p.m.
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Admission: $28 General | $22 Japan Society members
From the oni demons, yurei ghosts, and yokai spirits of folklore, to pop culture sensations like Exit 8 and The Ring, horror runs through the veins of Japanese culture. Often distinctly psychological and provocative, Japanese horror is beloved by those who like their scares with a sharp edge of sophistication. The latest issue of the acclaimed literary magazine MONKEY New Writing from Japan celebrates Japanese psychological horror. Japan Society welcomes an all-star panel of authors, editors, and translators to discuss the worldwide appeal of Japanese horror and what traditional and modern cultural influences make it unique. Some of the most unsettling stories in this issue will be performed by the authors and translators in bilingual readings.
Save 10% by purchasing tickets to both MONKEY events. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Japan Society’s website.
About MONKEY
MONKEY New Writing from Japan is an annual anthology that showcases the best of contemporary Japanese literature. Vol. 6 celebrates HORROR, from demons and ghosts to the myriad existential and environmental fears that come with living in our troubled times. MONKEY offers short fiction and poetry by writers such as Haruki Murakami, Yoko Ogawa, and Hiromi Kawakami; graphic stories by Satoshi Kitamura; new translations of modern classics; and contributions from authors outside Japan.
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NYC’s Japan Parade to Celebrate 5th Year
The fifth annual Japan Parade & Street Fair will be held on Saturday, May 9, beginning at 1:00 p.m. New York City’s showcase of Japanese culture begins on Central Park West at W. 81st Street and travels south to W. 67th Street. This vibrant event celebrates the friendship between New York City and Japan with a heartfelt “thank you” from the Japanese community.
Japan Parade & Street Fair
Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
Parade Route: Central Park West from 81st to 67th Street
Street Fair: 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on 72nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
Admission: Free
The fifth annual Japan Parade & Street Fair will be held on Saturday, May 9, beginning at 1:00 p.m. New York City’s showcase of Japanese culture begins on Central Park West at W. 81st Street and travels south to W. 67th Street. This vibrant event celebrates the friendship between New York City and Japan with a heartfelt “thank you” from the Japanese community.
Iconic manga artist and illustrator Acky Bright will be this year’s Grand Marshal.
Grand Marshal_Acky Bright
About Acky Bright
Known for his intricate line work and “kawakakkoii” (cute and cool) aesthetic, Acky Bright is an internationally acclaimed Japanese manga artist whose work has appeared in collaborations with McDonald’s, Meta, Marvel, DC Comics, BMW, Lexus, and more. His solo exhibition Acky Bright: Studio Infinity, held at Japan Society in New York (2024–25), as well as his frequent guest appearances at Anime NYC and New York Comic Con, have helped him build a strong connection with fans in New York.
This year, Acky also designed Japan Parade’s first official mascot, inspired by the cultures of both New York and Japan. The design incorporates a variety of themes, including New York City's colors of orange and navy, the red and white of Japan, the iconic NYC apple, and the traditional Japanese happi coat. Following a public naming contest, the mascot was officially named “Happi.”
“New York City has become like a second hometown to me,” says Acky Bright. “I am truly honored to design the official mascot and serve as Grand Marshal.”
Happi, Japan Parade’s Official Mascot ⒸAcky Bright
Parade Particulars
This year’s Japan Parade & Street Fair is led by Ambassador Satoshi Katahira, Consul General of Japan in New York and the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors, Japan Day Inc., and Satoshi Oishi, Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of Japan Day Inc. Kumiko Yoshii is the Executive Producer of the Japan Parade & Street Fair.
A highlight of the parade will be a live performance from Jujutsu Kaisen The Stage – Hidden Inventory/Premature Death, the wildly popular 2.5D stage play direct from Japan and based on Akutami Gege’s internationally bestselling manga series. The production recreates the manga’s intense battle scenes through dynamic performances by the cast.
Over the last four years, the parade has had many memorable participants and performances by Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live, Live Spectacle “NARUTO,” DEMON SLAYER - KIMETSU NO YAIBA - the stage, and ATTACK on TITAN: The Musical as special guests from Japan.
Former NY1 reporter Sandra Endo, who is a news correspondent on KTVV Los Angeles, Fox 11 News, and a feature reporter for Good Day LA, will again serve as emcee of the parade, which she has done each year.
In total, there will be 105 groups and floats marching in the parade, with more than 2,800 individual participants.
Along the parade route, participating groups include the music and taiko groups New York Taiko Aikokai, Soh Daiko, COBU, and Taiko Masala Dojo; the choir group The Young People's Chorus of New York City; the traditional dance troupes Sachiyo Ito and Company and Awa Odori New York Ren; and martial arts groups Japan Karate Association of New York and NYC Area Judo Community.
Also marching in the parade are Japanese programs at the local universities and Japanese language schools and organizations. They include New York University, Hunter College, THE JAPANESE SCHOOL OF NEW YORK (The Greenwich Japanese School), Japanese Children’s Society, Inc., Keio Academy of New York, The New Jersey Japanese School, and Brooklyn Nihongo Gakuen.
Nagasaki Prefecture will have a float featuring traditional dancers and musicians as well as a tourism tent at the street fair, and Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) will also have a tourism tent. Both Nagasaki and Okinawa were included the "52 Places to Go" in 2026 by TheNew York Times.
The Japan Street Fair
Concurrently with the Japan Parade, the Japan Street Fair will be held on W. 72nd Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with food and giveaway items available while supplies last.
The Japan Street Fair will feature tents offering exciting and educational cultural activities including calligraphy, yukata try-on, and traditional games from Japan. In collaboration with Festive Planet, one of the largest organizers of Asian food festivals in the U.S. and the producer of large-scale fair events at conventions such as Anime NYC, the Street Fair will also feature more than 30 tents serving authentic Japanese cuisine. The latest information on Japan’s many tourist destinations will be made available at several other tents, and as with last year, there will also be a tent where visitors may donate to a charitable cause. This year, charitable donations will benefit the World Monuments Fund Japan Flagship Project and City Harvest. The World Monuments Fund supports the preservation of Japanese cultural heritage, including artisan training and restoration efforts following major earthquakes. City Harvest rescues surplus food and distributes it free of charge to food pantries and soup kitchens across New York City.
The Japan Street Fair is your chance to experience a Japanese festival, or matsuri, unlike any other. At the Street Fair, there will be various giveaways, including free sample distributions, and official mascot merchandise will be on sale.
History of Japan Parade
The very first Japan Parade & Street Fair was held in 2022. Actor, author, civil-rights activist, and influencer George Takei was the Grand Marshal for the inaugural parade, while Olympic Gold medalist and author Kristi Yamaguchi was the Grand Marshal for the Japan Parade in 2023, and wheelchair tennis star and four-time Paralympic Gold medalist Shingo Kunieda was Grand Marshal in 2024. Last year Iron Chef, restauranteur and author Masaharu Morimoto served as the 2025 Grand Marshal.
Since its founding, the parade has also served as a platform for solidarity against anti-Asian hate and violence.
This Year’s Sponsors
Diamond
ANA (All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.)
Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc.
Daiwa Capital Markets America Inc.
Hisamitsu America, Inc.
ITOCHU International Inc.
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
Platinum
KDDI America, Inc.
Marubeni America Corporation
Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)
Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc.
Nippon Life Insurance Company
Nomura America Foundation
Sojitz Corporation of America
Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
Gold
ITO EN (North America) INC.
J.C.C. Fund / Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, Inc. / The Nippon Club, Inc.
"K" LINE LOGISTICS (U.S.A.) INC.
Mayer Brown LLP
MSIG USA
The Prince Kitano New York
Tokio Marine America
The Japan Parade & Street Fair is affiliated with Japan Day @ Central Park, an annual event that took place in Central Park from 2007 until 2019.
About Japan Day
Japan Day Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the primary organizer of the Japan Day @ Central Park festivals from 2007 to 2019, and of Japan Parade & Japan Street Fair since 2022. Japan Day Inc.’s activities are made possible by the support of local leading Japanese American companies that compose Japan Day Inc.’s Board of Directors; the Consulate General of Japan in New York; and all the individuals, organizations, and companies that sponsor, donate, or volunteer to be a part of this great celebration. For more information, please visit their website.
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Shunzo Ohno's Album Release Celebration at Joe's Pub
Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Shunzo Ohno returns to Joe’s Pub for an unforgettable evening of vibrant, genre-bending jazz to celebrate the release of Ohno’s new album, Shunzo Ohno Live at Joe’s Pub, a culmination of his myriad performances at the iconic venue.
Photo credit: Cristabelle Tan
Shunzo Ohno: Beyond Imagination
Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street (at Astor Place)
Admission: $48
Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Shunzo Ohno returns to Joe’s Pub for an unforgettable evening of vibrant, genre-bending jazz. A longtime force on the New York scene, Ohno has performed alongside legends including Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Gil Evans, among others. The evening will celebrate the release of Ohno’s new album, Shunzo Ohno Live at Joe’s Pub, a culmination of his myriad performances at the iconic venue.
Featured Performers
Cyro Baptista – Percussion
Clifford Carter – Keys/piano
Quintin Zoto – Guitar
Zé Luis – Sax/flute
Alex Yoo – Drums
Leo Traversa – Bass
Join Ohno and his band for a one-night-only, electrifying live musical experience.
There is a two-drink or one-food minimum per person. To purchase tickets, please visit Joe’s Pub’s website.
Shunzo Ohno. Photo credit: Cristabelle Tan
“Each note, each phrase, invites listeners into a world where artistry and human resilience convey, where the past and present meet in a harmonious arc. Live at Joe’s Pub is proof that music, crafted with mastery and courage and heart, can speak universally, offering a vision of hope and beauty that has a place everywhere in the world.”
About Shunzo Ohno
Born in Gifu, Japan, Shunzo Ohno began playing trumpet at age 13 and by 19 was already Japan’s leading jazz trumpeter. His career took flight under the mentorship of legendary bandleader Art Blakey, leading to collaborations with jazz greats including Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Machito’s Afro-Cuban Orchestra. He is featured on Grammy Award–winning recordings with both Machito and Gil Evansand has released 17 albums as a leader and appeared on more than 30 as a sideman.
Ohno’s journey is extraordinary—not only a testament to musical mastery but to the human spirit itself. Having survived a devastating car accident in 1988 and, years later, a life-threatening battle with throat cancer, he reimagined both his technique and his artistic vision, forging a sound that is uniquely his own—one that resonates with resilience and hope. His inspiring story is captured in the filmNever Defeated: The Shunzo Ohno Story, narrated by longtime friend Buster Williams.
A recipient of numerous international awards for his contributions to the global music culture, Ohno continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his artistry, advocacy, and unwavering spirit. For the past 15 years, Ohno has made annual visits to Northern Japan, supporting communities affected by the earthquake/tsunami, demonstrating the power of music.
Don’t miss this unforgettable evening with one of jazz’s most fearless innovators.
Enjoying JapanCulture•NYC? This site is supported by our community, and a $5/month membership helps offset the costs of keeping it running so we can continue spotlighting the people and events that make our community shine. Please click here to join.
Japan Society Celebrates Actress Meiko Kaji
Japan Society welcomes Japanese actress and singer Meiko Kaji for her first public New York appearance in more than 40 years.
Meiko Kaji: A Retrospective
Friday, March 27 through Saturday, April 4
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Japan Society welcomes Japanese actress and singer Meiko Kaji for her first public New York appearance in more than 40 years. Best known in the West as the mythic katana-wielding Lady Snowblood of the eponymous 1973 Toho picture—a violent cult work steeped in fountains of spurting blood—Meiko Kaji remains inseparable from the image of a rebellious outlaw heroine, a cataclysmic force of seventies Japanese cinema whose characteristic steely-eyed gaze cemented her as something akin to Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name.
About Meiko Kaji
Meiko Kaji, who turned 79 on March 24, was born Masako Ōta in Tokyo. Recruited at the twilight of Japan’s studio era, Kaji emerged in 1965 as a contract player for Nikkatsu, Japan’s oldest film studio. Outspoken and tenacious, she resisted the prescribed mold of modest, reserved female roles, often to the frustration of executives who soon relegated her to supporting parts. Even as an eighteen-year-old newcomer, her unyielding nature revealed a resolute spirit well-suited for outsider roles, and Kaji soon embodied an anti-establishment image of outlaws, bikers and delinquents.
As the industry shifted into violent and sexually charged genre productions to counter waning attendance, Kaji avoided typecasting—even with the success of her vengeful angels—seeking instead to further her craft and artistry, opting for variety over stardom. Moving from ninkyo eiga (chivalry films) and pinky violence to yakuza pictures, arthouse productions, and television, Kaji—whose piercing gaze came to define an era of Japanese cinema—transcended the confines of genre cinema; her depth and versatility extend far beyond the cult mythos that surrounds her.
Japan Society’s Retrospective
Running from Friday, March 27 through Saturday, April 4, Meiko Kaji: A Retrospective features ten films that epitomize her bad-girl image. Three of the ten are already sold out: Lady Snowblood, Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41, and The Love Suicides at Sonezaki. So make sure you purchase tickets for the remaining films by visiting Japan Society’s website or calling the Box Office at 212-715-1258.
Full Lineup
Lady Snowblood ©1973 Toho Company, Ltd
Lady Snowblood
This screening is SOLD OUT
Friday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m.
Admission: $22 Nonmembers | $20 Seniors & Students | $18 Members
Dir. Toshiya Fujita | 1973 | 96 min.
Q&A with Meiko Kaji followed by Opening Night Reception
The representative work of Kaji’s career in action cinema, produced by Toho during a hiatus from Toei, Lady Snowblood adapts Kazuo Kamimura’s manga into a stylish, blood-soaked treatise on retribution.
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion ©1973 Toei Company, Ltd
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
Saturday, March 28 at 3:00 p.m.
Admission: $16 Nonmembers | $14 Seniors & Students | $12 Members
Dir. Shunya Ito | 1972 | 87 min.
Confined within a women’s prison populated by sadistic, leering guards and volatile inmates, Kaji’s character Nami radiates a simmering, unspoken rage in what would become her defining role at Toei.
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 ©1972 Toei Compay, Ltd
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
This screening is SOLD OUT
Saturday, March 28 at 5:00 p.m.
Admission: $18 Nonmembers | $16 Seniors & Students | $14 Members
Dir. Shunya Ito | 1972 |90 min.
Archival 35mm Presentation; Q&A with Meiko Kaji
After a year in solitary confinement in a vicious women’s prison, Nami has taken on a mythic stature as “Sasori” (Scorpion) in Shunya Ito’s feverish, avant-garde-tinged sequel. Banding together an uncouth group of inmates, Nami escapes with sadistic guards in hot pursuit.
Yakuza Graveyard ©1976 Toei Company, Ltd
Yakuza Graveyard
Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $18 Nonmembers | $16 Seniors & Students | $14 Members
Dir. Kinji Fukasaku | 1976 | 92 min.
Introduction by Meiko Kaji
Kinji Fukasaku’s propulsive crime film paints postwar Japan as rotten to its core, with hardheaded detective Kuroiwa taking to Osaka’s streets as he forms an unlikely alliance with Kaji’s yakuza mistress—sparking a gang war as corruption bleeds all the way up the chain of command.
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter ©1970 Nikkatsu
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
Sunday, March 29 at 4:00 p.m.
Admission: $16 Nonmembers | $14 Seniors & Students | $12 Members
Dir. Yasuharu Hasebe | 1970 | 93 min.
35mm Presentation
Kaji’s breakthrough Stray Cat Rock series finds its darkest point in this third entry when Kaji’s delinquent gang faces off with her boyfriend Baron’s violent campaign against mixed-race locals near Yokosuka’s American military base.
The Love Suicides at Sonezaki ©Art Theatre Guild
The Love Suicides at Sonezaki
This screening is SOLD OUT
Sunday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Admission: $18 Nonmembers | $16 Seniors & Students | $14 Members
Dir. Yasuzo Masumura | 1978 | 112 min.
35mm Import. Q&A with Meiko Kaji
Yasuzo Masumura’s devastating ATG adaptation of the Chikamatsu bunraku drama remains Kaji’s personal favorite of her works, a theatrical and unadorned tragedy steadily advancing to a violent, funereal act of passion.
Wandering Ginza Butterfly ©1972 Toei Company, Ltd
Wandering Ginza Butterfly
Friday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Admission: $16 Nonmembers | $14 Seniors & Students | $12 Members
Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi | 1972 | 86 min.
World Premiere of 2K Restoration
Kaji’s first Toei appearance following her Nikkatsu exit, Wandering Ginza Butterfly substitutes a period setting for the neon-lit clubs of ’70s Ginza—a hybrid commercial outing: part ninkyo eiga (chivalry films), part The Hustler.
Blind Woman’s Curse ©1970 Nikkatsu Corporation
Blind Woman’s Curse
Friday, April 3 at 9:15 p.m.
Admission: $16 Nonmembers | $14 Seniors & Students | $12 Members
Dir. Teruo Ishii |1970 | 84 min.
Teruo Ishii’s phantasmagoric work of erotic grotesque may be the best female swordplay-cum-ghost cat horror film Japan ever produced. The film is also noted for being Kaji’s first starring role under her stage name.
New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Boss’s Head ©1975 Toei Company, Ltd
New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Boss’s Head
Saturday, April 4 at 6:00 p.m.
Admission: $16 Nonmembers | $14 Seniors & Students | $12 Members
Dir. Kinji Fukasaku | 1975 | 94 min.
The middle film of Fukasaku’s Battles Without Honor and Humanity follow-up series, The Boss’s Head costars Kaji as the wife of a heroin-addicted hitman who befriends, then betrays, series star Bunta Sugawara.
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable ©1973 Toei Company, Ltd
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
Saturday, April 4 at 8:30 p.m.
Admission: $16 Nonmembers | $14 Seniors & Students | $12 Members
Dir. Shunya Ito | 1973 | 87 min.
The third film in the Sasori series—and the last directed by Shunya Ito—is a horror-tinged entry, which finds Nami caught in the wrath of a vengeful yakuza gang, arguably the most violent offering of the series.
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Matsuri 2026 at Columbia University
The Japanese Students Association of Columbia University (JSA) presents its Matsuri 2026 this Sunday, March 29.
Columbia Japanese Students Association Matsuri 2026
Sunday, March 29 from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Columbia University Low Plaza – W. 116th and Broadway
Admission: Free
The Japanese Students Association of Columbia University (JSA) presents its Matsuri 2026 this Sunday, March 29. JSA’s annual spring festival will be filled with delicious food, exciting performances, and an exciting cultural experience.
@columbiajsa on Instagram
About Matsuri 2026
Matsuri, the Japanese word for “festival,” embodies the spirit of community celebration through food, entertainment, and cultural exchange. Since 2006, JSA’s Matsuri has evolved into one of Columbia University’s most anticipated cultural events, transforming the heart of campus into a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture. Drawing nearly 1,000 attendees to the iconic Low Plaza each spring, Matsuri is more than just a festival; it’s a landmark event that brings together students, faculty, and New Yorkers.
There will be plenty of Japanese festival foods, such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and onigiri. While enjoying the food, guests can watch Japanese-related performances. This event is enjoyable for both students and families alike, as there will be various activities booths and vendors selling traditional Japanese crafts.
Attendanceis free, and guests can register through Columbia JSA’s Google form. Attendees not affiliated with Columbia University and without a valid Columbia University ID MUST register by tomorrow,Thursday March 26.
Enjoy this gallery of photos from Matsuri 2025!
About Columbia JSA
The Japanese Students Association (JSA) is an undergraduate student organization at Columbia University, recognized by both the Activities Board of Columbia University and the Student Governing Association at Barnard College. Their mission is to bridge Japanese culture with the broader Columbia community, while also fostering an inclusive space for students of Japanese heritage and anyone interested in Japanese culture within the wider NYC community.
Led by a dedicated board of 12 student leaders, JSA organizes diverse cultural programming throughout the academic year, from intimate dinner socials to artistic showcases. To learn more, please visit their website.
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Behind the Scenes of Japanese Baseball
Award-winning author Robert K. Fitts will talk about baseball in Japan and his new book In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball at The Japanese American Association of New York on Sunday, April 12.
Behind the Scenes of Japanese Baseball: Book Talk and Signing with Author Robert K. Fitts
Sunday, April 12 at 1 p.m.
The Japanese American Association of New York – 49 W. 45th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 5th Floor
Admission: Free
Award-winning author Robert K. Fitts will talk about baseball in Japan and his new book In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball at The Japanese American Association of New York. After providing an overview designed to acquaint new fans with Japanese baseball, Fitts will give a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Japanese baseball unique—and so much fun. He will talk about the differences between American and Japanese baseball both on the diamond and in the stands. Learn about life as a player in Japan, cheering groups, fuzzy mascots, and beer girls.
Please RSVP for this free event by sending an email to JAA at info@jaany.org or by calling 212-840-6942.
Photos courtesy of Robert K. Fitts
About the Book
In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball takes you deep inside the heart of Japan’s national pastime—far beyond the box scores and highlight reels. To discover what truly sets Japanese baseball apart, author Robert Fitts went straight to the source: the players, managers, umpires, team owners, mascots, beer girls, and lifelong fans who live and breathe the sport. Through their personal stories and behind-the-scenes insights, you’ll get an insider’s look at how the game works and what makes Japanese baseball unique—and so much fun.
Get a front-row seat to the traditions, strategies, and spirit that define baseball in Japan. From the passion of the fans to the precision of the game, every page offers eye-opening stories and insights you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering the magic of the Japanese game, In the Japanese Ballpark can help you fully experience every pitch, hit, and cheer.
About the Author
A former archaeologist with a Ph.D. from Brown University, Robert K. Fitts left academics behind to follow his passion — Japanese baseball. An award-winning author and speaker, his articles have appeared numerous journals, magazines, and websites. He is also the author of ten books on Japanese baseball and Japanese baseball cards.
Fitts is the founder of SABR’s Asian Baseball Committee and a recipient of the society’s 2013 Seymour Medal for the Best Baseball Book of 2012 (Banzai Babe Ruth); the 2019 and 2023 McFarland-SABR Baseball Research Awards; the 2012 Doug Pappas Award for the best oral research presentation at the annual convention; and the 2006, 2021, 2023, and 2024 SABR Research Awards. He has twice been a finalist for the Casey Award and has received two silver medals at the Independent Publisher Book Awards.
While living in Tokyo in 1993-94, Fitts began collecting Japanese baseball cards and now runs Robs Japanese Cards LLC. To learn more, please visit Fitts’s website.
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Japanese Artist KAZUMA at Arlene’s Grocery in LES
Japanese artist KAZUMA will present a free live concert, Invisible Full Moon, this Thursday, February 12 at the iconic New York venue Arlene’s Grocery.
KAZUMA New York Free Live Concert―Invisible Full Moon
Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. (Doors open 6:30 p.m.)
Arlene’s Grocery – 95 Stanton Street
Admission: Free
Japanese artist KAZUMA will present a free live concert, Invisible Full Moon, this Thursday, February 12 at the iconic New York venue Arlene’s Grocery. The event will feature collaborations with local artists and a special program centered on Japan–U.S. cultural exchange. KAZUMA is hosting this free concert as his way of giving back to the city for helping him after he suddenly developed a severe voice disorder that forced him to step away from the stage.
At his lowest point in New York, he encountered an artist community that encouraged him even on days when his voice was not in good condition. Thanks to their support, he was able to rediscover his passion for music.
KAZUMA
“When I lost my voice, I was overwhelmed with fear and lost sight of my future. At that time, New York reached out its hand to me. Even when my voice was not perfect, people valued my music itself. I want to give something back to this city that saved me. I hope this concert can become a trigger for someone else’s ‘rebirth.’”
Performers
Toshi Cappuccino (MC / Performer)
The concert is free, but RSVP is recommended. To reserve your spot, please visit KAZUMA’s Eventbrite page.
About KAZUMA
Raised by a musician father, KAZUMA began singing at an early age. At 18, he joined an artist development agency where he trained extensively in vocal performance and live shows. He launched his professional music career in his mid-20s, but he faced uncertainty due to his serious voice disorder. Through rehabilitation, training, and transformative experiences in New York, he overcame the condition and developed a deeper, more expressive vocal style.
Returning to the stage, he successfully performed a microphone-free concert in a chapel in 2021. Two years later, he appeared at a Japan–U.S. cultural exchange event at Carnegie Hall, followed by performances at New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week, expanding his international presence.
In 2024, he released his debut album, KOKUU. Known for his clear high notes and delicate falsetto, KAZUMA’s music—centered on themes of rebirth and hope—has received acclaim both in Japan and abroad.
Watch the video for the title song on his YouTube channel.
Toward Becoming a New Cultural Bridge
KAZUMA has also begun cultural exchange activities connecting his hometown, Tsuruoka City in Yamagata Prefecture, with New York. He will continue to share messages of rebirth through music.
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Miniature Ramen Workshop at Japan Village! 🍜
Oishii Miniatures hosts this miniature food-making workshop, a hands-on event where participants will create a realistic miniature bowl of ramen.
Let’s Make a Bowl of Miniature Ramen!
Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn (2nd Floor)
Admission: $80
Join this miniature food-making workshop, a hands-on event where participants will create a realistic, miniature bowl of ramen. You’ll learn how to make everything from noodles to toppings and take home your adorable handmade clay creation.
It’s beginner-friendly and perfect for anyone who loves crafting or Japanese food.
Hosted by Oishii Miniatures, the workshop will take place at The LOFT on the second floor of Japan Village in Brooklyn.
Tickets are required to participate. To reserve your spot, please click here.
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Japan Village to Host Setsubun Party
Japan Village hosts event to celebrate Japanese tradition of welcoming good luck
Setsubun
Sunday, February 1 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn | 2nd Floor LOFT
Admission: Free
Head to Japan Village for an afternoon of cultural performances and hands-on traditions celebrating Setsubun, the Japanese tradition of celebrating the birth of spring. Guests can enjoy music, stories, and hands-on traditions.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Japanese folk story
Live shamisen performance
Eho-maki demo
Mamemaki bean-throwing to ward off evil Japanese oni (monsters)
Photo ops
Tasty treats
To reserve your spot for this family-friendly cultural event, please visit Japan Village’s Eventbrite page.
Enjoy JapanCulture•NYC? This site is supported by our community, and a $5/month membership helps offset the costs of keeping it running—so we can continue spotlighting the people and events that make our community shine. Please click here to join.
Celebrating Setsubun in NYC
Setsubun and where to find it in NYC
Winter may still have a firm grip on New York, but in Japan the calendar is already shifting. Setsubun marks the quiet threshold between seasons: a moment to reset, brush off lingering misfortune, and prepare for the year ahead. Observed on February 3, the tradition blends ritual, food, and community in ways that feel especially resonant during the coldest stretch of the year.
What is Setsubun?
Literally meaning “season division,” Setsubun falls on the day before spring, at least according to the Lunar calendar. The change is marked with rituals that drive out evil spirits, known as oni, by throwing roasted soybeans (fukumame) and yelling “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons out! Fortune in!”)
After dispersing the soybeans, it’s customary to count out the number of beans that corresponds to your age—called toshinokazu—and eat them for good luck and good health. Food plays an equally symbolic role in the celebration, particularly ehomaki, thick sushi rolls with fillings that represent good health, prosperity, and happiness.
In New York, these traditions now extend beyond the home, with restaurants and community spaces offering their own ways to observe Setsubun.
Now through Tuesday, February 3
Wasan Brooklyn
440 Bergen Street, Brooklyn
Japanese restaurant Wasan Brooklyn is observing Setsubun with two types of eho-maki. Place your order at the restaurant’s website or visit in person.
Sunday, February 1
Japan Village
934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn | 2nd Floor LOFT
1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Head to Japan Village for an afternoon of cultural performances and hands-on traditions celebrating Setsubun. Guests can enjoy music, stories, and hands-on traditions. Learn more at Japan Village’s website.
You can also purchase eho-maki at Obentoyasan in the Japan Village food court on February 1 and February 3.
Tuesday, February 3
Izakaya Mew
53 W. 35th Street, Basement
Only on Setsubun, Izakaya Mew will offer their substantial eho-maki in person or delivery. Check out their Instagram post with the details.
Lunch: Noon until 2:15 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.Sunrise Mart
SoHo: 494 Broome Street | 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Midtown: 12 E. 41st Street | 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The Manhattan locations of this popular Japanese grocery store will sell eho-maki on February 3 only.
In whatever way it’s observed, Setsubun is a reminder that the new season has already begun—even if winter hasn’t quite gotten the message yet.
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Asia Society to Screen WWII Documentary
Join the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) for a screening of the PBS documentary Atomic Echoes: Untold Stories from World War II. Following the film, ASPI will host a moderated conversation with the director, Beatrice Becette, and producers Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly. The conversation will be moderated by Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, and ASPI Managing Director Rorry Daniels will give opening remarks.
Atomic Echoes: Untold Stories from World War II
Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:15 p.m.
Asia Society – 725 Park Avenue (between E. 70th and E. 71st Streets)
Admission: $15 | $8 Asia Society Members
Join the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) for a screening of the PBS documentary Atomic Echoes: Untold Stories from World War II. Following the film, ASPI will host a moderated conversation with the director, Beatrice Becette, and producers Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly. The conversation will be moderated by Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, and ASPI Managing Director Rorry Daniels will give opening remarks.
Schedule
5:30 p.m. Documentary Screening
6:30 p.m. Panel Discussion and Q&A
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Asia Society’s website. A limited number of complimentary tickets will be available to NYC college students with ID at the box office on the day of the screening.
Blue Chalk Media
About the Film
Two friends, connected by family histories on opposite sides of World War II, set out to explore the lasting trauma of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. While Japanese hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) endure lifelong health complications and psychological scars, American atomic veterans who witnessed the bombings’ aftermath also struggle with radiation-related illnesses and PTSD.
About Beatrice Becette – Director
Beatrice Becette is a New York City-based filmmaker who tells stories that spark connection and illuminate the threads that link us across time, place, and experience. She has worked across genres—from investigative and historical documentaries to lifestyle and educational series—and across sectors, partnering with respected news organizations and mission-driven brands.
Her portfolio includes collaborations with clients such as National Geographic, Disney+, Discovery, MAX, NBC, The Washington Post, Lowe’s, and Booz Allen Hamilton. Regardless of format or client, her work remains rooted in a deep belief in the power of storytelling to reveal the human stories behind complex systems and events.
Becette holds a degree in Film from American University with minors in Marketing and Creative Writing.
About Victoria Kelly – Producer
Victoria Kelly’s grandfather, a Navy medic, was one of the first American troops to enter Nagasaki after the dropping of the atomic bomb.
Kelly is the author of four books of fiction and poetry: Homefront, Mrs. Houdini, When the Men Go Off to War, and Prayers of an American Wife. She is also a consultant for corporate and nonprofit thought leadership.
She graduated from Harvard University and received her M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She lives in Virginia with her three daughters.
About Karin Tanabe – Producer
A Japanese American nisei, Karin Tanabe’s grandmother’s uncle, Tatsuo Morito, was Japan’s post-war Minister of Education. In 1950, Morito became the first president of Hiroshima University, helping build an institution dedicated to peace.
A novelist and journalist, Tanabe is the author of seven novels published by St. Martin’s Press and Simon & Schuster. A former Politico reporter, she remains a frequent contributor to The Washington Post. Several of her books have been optioned for film and television, most recently A Woman of Intelligence to NBC Universal.
She is a graduate of Vassar College and lives in Washington, D.C.
About Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki – Moderator
Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, D. Min. is a Buddhist priest, ordained in the 750-year-old Jodoshinshu tradition of Japanese Buddhism in 1980. A President and Founder of the Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of New York, he is a President Emeritus of the Buddhist Council of New York, a Hiroshima Peace Ambassador, a Nagasaki Peace Correspondent, an Honorary Board Member of the Interfaith Center of New York, an Honorary President of Sanghakaya Foundation (India), and New York City Police Department Clergy Liaison.
Since 1994, Rev. Nakagaki has organized an interfaith peace event to commemorate the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings. He organized the annual 9/11 WTC Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony from 2002 until 2011.
Rev. Nakagaki was ordained in 1980 at the Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. In 1985, he was sent to the U.S. as an overseas minister, serving first with at the Seattle Buddhist Church, (1985-1989), the Parlier Buddhist Church (1989-1994), and the New York Buddhist Church (1994-2010).
He is an author of the book The Buddhist Swastika and Hitler’s Cross: Rescuing a Symbol of Peace from the Forces of Hate, and the Kindle version of No Worry, No Hurry, Eat Curry: Tracing the Path of the Buddha in India is available in English.
About Rorry Daniels – Opening Remarks
Rorry Daniels is the Managing Director of Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), where she leads and oversees strategy and operations for ASPI's projects on security, climate change, and trade throughout Asia. She is also a Senior Fellow with ASPI's Center for China Analysis. Previously she was with the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, where she managed the organization's Track II and research portfolio on Asia security issues, with a particular focus on cross-Taiwan Strait relations, U.S.-China relations, and the North Korean nuclear program. Her most recent research project audited the U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue to evaluate its process and outcomes.
Daniels regularly writes and provides analysis for major media outlets and newsletters on security issues in the U.S. and the Asia Pacific. She is a 2022 Mansfield-Luce scholar, a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the National Committee on North Korea, a Pacific Forum Young Leader, as well as a Korea Society Kim Koo Foundation Fellow (2015 cohort). She earned her M.S. in International Relations at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs, where she focused her studies on East and South Asia. She is proficient in Mandarin and holds a B.A. in Media Studies from Emerson College.
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