Japan Day in NYC has always been a joyful celebration of Japanese culture, and now's there's a massive Japan Day Parade along Central Park West toamplify(増幅させる) the fun.
The season for things to do outside has arrived along with lush trees (青々とした木々)and blooming tulips at NYC parks, so what better way to spend an afternoon than by soaking up the sun(陽の光を一杯浴びる) at this Japanese celebration? With newly released details, it’s safe to say that this massive(大規模な) cultural event is certainly one of the best things to do in spring.
The Japan Parade began for the first time in 2022, and it's back again for 2024. The first parade was a historic moment, according to the Consulate General(総領事館)of Japan in New York, which initiated the project. Originally, the parade was planned for 2020 to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the first Japanese delegates’ visit to the U.S. in 1860, as well as the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, but it was cancelled because of the pandemic.
Athlete Shingo Kunieda will be the parade's Grand Marshal. He's a former professional wheelchair tennis champion, four-time paralympic gold medalist, and a recipient of the People’s Honour Award of Japan.
Special for 2024, the cast of "Demon Slayer(鬼滅の刃): The Stage," will march in the parade. Expect special appearances (特別出演)by Tanjiro Kamado, Inosuke Hashibira, Kyojuro Rengoku, and Shinobu Kocho from the 2.5D theater adaptation of the hit manga series.
Also expect to see dance performances, musicians, marching bands, martial arts(武道) and traditional costumes at the parade.
Actitives include calligraphy(書道), water balloon yo-yo fishing(ヨーヨー釣り), origami, photo opportunities(写真撮影) and more. Plus, there will be plenty food to purchase from more than 20 vendors in partnership with JAPAN Fes. Event organizers say The Japan Street Fair is your chance to experience a Japanese festival, or matsuri, unlike any other.