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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What’s the Latest at Expo 2025 in Osaka?
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Expo 2025 Talk #6: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton
Thursday, October 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. PT | Friday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m. JST
LinkedIn Live
Admission: Free
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, since it began in April. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this fascinating global event.
In Talk #6, Yvonne will update us on her most recent visits to Expo 2025, which now number more than 30! She will also share her latest insights, show photos, and answer your questions in an interactive conversation that brings you closer to Expo 2025—even from afar!
🚀 Taking the Expo Conversation Across Platforms
Since our last talk in early September, Yvonne has shared her Expo insights through a variety of media outlets. Check them out:
📰 Featured in an article on Forbes.com
🎙️ Guest on Joan Michelson’s Electric Ladies podcast
💻 Guest on the Engaging Virtual Meetings Podcast with John Chen, where she discussed everything from architecture to technology at the Expo
Join the talk on LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-6withcross-culturalcon7378471677707309056/
🎥 Missed our earlier talks? Catch up on YouTube and LinkedIn
Talk 1: https://youtu.be/zd1fEp3SLLI
Talk 2: https://youtu.be/vF00yjNyPO4
Talk 4: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-4withcrossculturalcons7346199577739378688/
Talk 5: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-5withcross-culturalcon7366980410452373504/
All About Yvonne
📝 Read Yvonne’s Expo blog posts: burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
💬 Have you visited Expo 2025? Share your observations with us! Bring your questions and join the live conversation in the comments!
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Explaining Expo: LinkedIn Live with Yvonne Burton
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Expo 2025 Talk #5: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton
Wednesday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET | 4:00 p.m. PT | Thursday, September 4 at 8:00 a.m. JST
LinkedIn Live
Admission: Free
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this once-in-a-lifetime global event.
At the Heart of Expo: Countries and Connections
In Talk #5, Yvonne will update us on her most recent visits to Expo 2025, which now number more than 20! With two months remaining in the international exposition, how is Yvonne planning her final visits? Will she reveal her agenda?
Yvonne will also share her latest insights, show photos, and answer your questions in an interactive conversation that brings you closer to Expo 2025—even from afar! 💬 Have you visited Expo 2025? Share your observations with us! Bring your questions and join the live conversation in the comments!
Join the talk on LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-5withcross-culturalcon7366980410452373504/theater/
🎥 Missed our earlier talks? Catch up here
Talk 1: https://youtu.be/zd1fEp3SLLI
Talk 2: https://youtu.be/vF00yjNyPO4
Talk 4: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-4withcrossculturalcons7346199577739378688/
📝 Read Yvonne’s Expo blog posts: burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
What Expo Means for Osaka’s Global Business Future
📣 We’re going live on LinkedIn!
On Monday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET, I’ll be joined by cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton for our fourth Expo 2025 talk—this time focused on what the World Expo means for Osaka’s global business future.
Expo 2025 Talk #4: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton
Monday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET | 4:00 p.m. PT | Tuesday, July 15 at 8:00 a.m. JST
LinkedIn Live
Admission: Free
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this once-in-a-lifetime global event.
What Expo Means for Osaka’s Global Business Future
In Talk #4, Yvonne will focus on what Expo 2025 means for the city of Osaka in terms of global business opportunities, international visibility, and economic development. Yvonne will share observations from the Expo site, highlight what major companies and industries are showcasing, and offer insight into Japan’s strategy for engaging the world through this major international event. She’ll also share her latest insights, show photos, and answer your questions in an interactive conversation that brings you closer to Expo 2025—even from afar!
💡 Whether you work in international business, cross-cultural strategy, economic development, or are simply curious about Japan’s global presence—this conversation is for you.
Join the talk on LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7346199577739378688/about/
🎥 Missed our earlier talks? Catch up on YouTube:
• Talk 1: https://youtu.be/zd1fEp3SLLI
• Talk 2: https://youtu.be/vF00yjNyPO4
• Talk 3: https://youtu.be/bpenIQ5dROM?si=0EwThM4XrP765mw9
📝 Read Yvonne’s Expo blog posts: burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
💬 Bring your questions and join the live conversation in the comments!
Night view of the Germany Pavilion at Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Photo by Yvonne Burton.
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Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Talk #2
Join JapanCultureNYC for Part 2 of my live conversation with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton reporting from Osaka, Japan, where she’s been exploring the site of Expo 2025!
Expo 2025 Talk: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton – Part 2
Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET | 5:00 p.m. PT | In Japan: Thursday, May 29 at 9:00 a.m.
Zoom
Admission: Free (Registration Required)
On May 13 JapanCultureNYC and cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International held a special live Zoom conversation from Japan, where she’s been exploring Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. We had so much fun, we’re doing it again!
Yvonne has been on the ground, visiting pavilions, observing the process, and soaking up the energy at this year’s World Expo. Prior to the event, Yvonne joined JapanCultureNYC for two Instagram Live tours—one at night, the other during the day—and gave us insightful tours.
On Zoom, Yvonne will share highlights, show photos, and answer your questions about what she’s learned so far. Curious about what Japan is showcasing to the world? Wondering how Osaka prepared for millions of visitors? Don’t miss this insightful and interactive session!
What to See
📺 Watch the first Zoom session on @JapanCulture-NYC’s YouTube channel
📌 Watch the recordings of our Instagram Lives on @JapanCultureNYC’s feed
📝 Read Yvonne’s blog posts from each visit at burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with her on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
📧 Have questions for Yvonne? Email susan@japanculture-nyc.com or DM @JapanCultureNYC
Register in advance
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Dive into Expo 2025 with Yvonne Burton
Join JapanCulture•NYC for a special Zoom conversation with Yvonne Burton, founder of Burton Consulting International, reporting live from Osaka, where she’s been exploring Expo 2025!
Live from Osaka: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton on Expo 2025
Tuesday, May 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET | Wednesday, May 14 at 9:00 a.m. in Japan
Live on Zoom
Admission: Free (Registration Required)
Join JapanCulture•NYC for a special live Zoom conversation with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International, streaming in from Osaka, Japan, where she’s been exploring Expo 2025!
Yvonne has been on the ground, visiting pavilions, observing preparations, and soaking up the energy at this year’s World Expo. She previously joined JapanCultureNYC for two Instagram Live tours—one at night, the other during the day—to give us a tour.
Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International on the Ring at Expo 2025 in Osaka
On Zoom, Yvonne will share highlights, show photos, and answer your questions about what she’s learned so far. Curious about what Japan is showcasing to the world? Wondering how Osaka prepared for millions of visitors? Don’t miss this insightful and interactive session!
📌 Watch the recordings of our Instagram Lives on @JapanCultureNYC’s feed
📝 Read Yvonne’s blog posts from each visit at burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with her on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
📧 Have questions for Yvonne? Email susan@japanculture-nyc.com or DM @JapanCultureNYC
Register in advance:
🔗 Click here to register on Zoom
Yvonne’s Expo 2025 Stamp Passport
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Japan Parade Returns to Celebrate NYC’s Friendship with Japan
Join thousands on the Upper West Side for the 4th annual Japan Parade and Street Fair on Saturday, May 10! Celebrate Japanese culture with taiko drumming, traditional dance, cosplay, Hello Kitty, and an appearance by Grand Marshal Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. With more than 110 groups marching and JAPAN Fes hosting a Japanese food and culture fair, this free event is one of NYC’s most vibrant celebrations of Japan.
Japan Parade
Saturday, May 10 from1:00 p.m. until 3:30 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
New York City’s celebration of Japanese culture takes over the Upper West Side this Saturday with the fourth annual Japan Parade and Street Fair. This vibrant event showcases the richness and diversity of Japanese culture and serves as a heartfelt "thank you" from the Japanese community to NYC.
Leading the Parade as Grand Marshal is none other than Chef Masaharu Morimoto, the Iron Chef whose culinary empire spans the globe. “I am deeply honored,” says Morimoto. “This role gives me a unique opportunity to celebrate and share the rich, dynamic culture of Japan with the heart of one of the world's most vibrant cities.”
Joining him is this year’s Community Leader, Koji Sato, President of The Japanese American Association of New York. News correspondent Sandra Endo, a former reporter and anchor at NY1, is serving as emcee once again.
Highlights
A major highlight this year is the live appearance by the cast of Attack on Titan: The Musical, the 2.5D stage adaptation of Hajime Isayama’s internationally beloved manga. Paradegoers can catch performers portraying fan favorites such as Levi, Hange Zoë, and Erwin Smith.
Pop culture fans can also look out for Sayaka Yamamoto, former captain of NMB48 turned solo singer-songwriter, and the always-adorable Hello Kitty, joined by My Melody and Kuromi, celebrating milestone anniversaries.
The Parade lineup features more than 110 groups and floats with more than 2,700 participants—the largest in the Parade’s four-year history. Expect lively performances from taiko drummers (Soh Daiko, COBU, Taiko Masala Dojo), yosakoi and folk dancers, gospel singers, and martial artists. Students from Japanese schools in New York and New Jersey will also march, along with Anime NYC cosplayers and a delegation from Toyama City, led by Mayor Hirohisa Fujii.
STREET FAIR
Before the Parade, explore the Japan Street Fair starting at 11:00 a.m. on 72nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. Produced in collaboration with JAPAN Fes, the Street Fair will feature hands-on cultural activities like calligraphy and origami, tourist info booths, giveaways, and nearly 20 food stalls offering authentic Japanese eats.
ABOUT JAPAN DAY
Organized by Japan Day Inc., the nonprofit behind Japan Day @ Central Park, the Japan Parade and Street Fair continue to grow as one of NYC’s most spirited celebrations of Japanese culture.
Don't miss this joyful fusion of tradition, community, and creativity—right in the heart of Manhattan.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Plan a Journey to Japan
Plan Your Journey to Japan: Meet Experts at the New York Adventure Show
2025 New York Travel & Adventure Show
Saturday, January 25 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 26 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Javits Center – 429 11th Avenue
Admission: $19.29 for one day | $28.08 for both days
The New York Travel & Adventure Show returns to Javits Center with more than 550 travel experts to help you plan your next vacation to anywhere in the world. If Japan is one of your desired destinations in 2025, you’ll want to take advantage of the Japanese-related travel organizations that will be at your disposal. Discover cities other than Tokyo and Kyoto to explore and learn the best insider tips to make your adventure to Japan the best it can be.
Whether it’s your first time or your 20th time, head to the Japan booths at the Travel & Adventure Show! To purchase tickets, please visit the Travel & Adventure Show’s website.
Participating Japan-Related Travel Organizations
Booth 214 – Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau
Booth 216 – HIS / Experts of Travel to Japan
Booth 301 – Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Booth 303 – Iwate, Japan
Booth 323 – Japan National Tourism Organization
Chindon-ya Performance
Saturday, January 25 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, January 26 from 11:30 a.m. until Noon
Presented by Tokyo Tourism
BENTENYA, a Japanese professional female Chindon-ya, will perform at the Global Beats Stage on each day. A Chindon-ya is a type of street advertisement through which colorfully clothed bands march in parades and perform at matsuri. The bands play instruments such as taiko drums, bells, accordions, saxophones, and trumpets while toting sandwich boards advertising store openings and the like. Hailing from Aichi Prefecture, BENTENYA formed in 2008 and turned pro three years later, claiming first prize in the National Chindon Tournament in 2015 and 2016. They have performed their special brand of music internationally, including the Japan Expo in Paris in 2016 as well as the 2024 Japan Festival Houston.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
MEET THE BREWERS
Soul of Sake "Meet the Brewers" x Accidental Bar
Sunday, September 17 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Accidental Bar – 98 Loisaida Avenue (Avenue C between 6th and 7th Avenues)
Admission: $68.96 (includes fees)
Join Miss Sake USA Jessica Joly-Crane and Accidental Bar owner Austin Power in celebrating some of their favorite sake brewers, breweries, and prefectures.
Joly-Crane brings her Soul of Sake series to Accidental Bar with brands represented by Sake Discoveries. Guests will have the opportunity to taste more than eleven different kinds of sake from different breweries all over Japan.
Chat with and learn from your favorite sake producers! Light bites will be served. Organizers are partnering with Tippsy Sake to provide a discount code to guests who want to purchase bottles of sake. To purchase tickets, please visit Sake Discoveries’s Eventbrite page.
Featured Producers
Nanbu Bijin "Southern Beauty" – Iwate
President: Kosuke Kuji
Niwa No Uguisu "Nightingale's Garden" – Fukuoka
President: Tetsuo Yamaguchi
Saga Sake Series – Saga
Koimari "Tropical"
Representative: Satoru Maeda
Mitsutake "Crisp"
President: Kunihiro Mitsutake
Amabuki – Saga
Representative: Wataru Hosokawa
Tengumai "Dancing Goblin" – Ishikawa
Representative: Ryosuke Kawamichi
Austin Power at Accidental Bar
About Sake Discoveries
Sake Discoveries is a New York-based PR company with more than twenty years of experience in the sake industry. Featuring one of the few female Sake Samurais, Chizuko Niikawa-Helton, and Jessica Joly-Crane, Sake Discoveries represents artisanal sake breweries from all over Japan. Having created a strong team of experts in promotion and influencer outreach, the organization spreads awareness about their clients through events, branding, and education. For more information, please visit their website.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!