The 2025 Boston Japan Festival was held
May 1, 2025
The 2025 Boston Japan Festival was held on April 26-27 on Boston Common and in Downtown Crossing, marking the first time in its history the event took place across two locations. Consul General Seiichiro Takahashi, serving as the Honorary President of the Boston Japan Festival, participated in the largest Japanese cultural event in the U.S.
At the opening ceremony on Boston Common, Mr. Nobuhiro Mitsuoka, President of the festival, declared the opening, followed by Consul General Takahashi's opening speech. In his remarks, Mr. Takahashi, noting the long history between Japan and Massachusetts and the establishment of "Japan Day" by the Massachusetts State Legislature, expressed his hope that the Boston Japan Festival will continue to be a meaningful and symbolic annual tradition not only for the Japanese community but also for the people of Boston, Massachusetts, New England, and the world. He then invited the audience to enjoy and experience traditional Japanese culture, pop culture, sustainability initiatives, and Japanese cuisine to their hearts' content.
Following the reading of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's proclamation designating April 26, 2025 as “Boston Japan Festival Day,” a video message from Governor Maura Healey was shown. In the video, Governor Healey stated that the Japan Festival embodies the relationship between Massachusetts and Japan, which is growing in the areas of science and technology, business, academia, and culture. She expressed her hope to further forge this relationship.
Other participants in the opening ceremony included State Representatives Erika Uyterhoeven and John Moran; State Representative Sangiolo’s aide Dennis Chang; Executive Director Monique Tu Nguyen of the City of Boston Office of Immigration Advancement; and James Colimon, Deputy Director of Global Affairs & Protocol for the City of Boston.
The Boston Japan Festival is organized and operated by an executive committee composed primarily of volunteers from the local Japanese community. Despite the rainy weather, the festival drew a large number of attendees. On the main stages on Boston Common and in Downtown Crossing, various genres of music and dance were performed, along with a cosplay fashion show. Meanwhile, nearby booths offered an array of Japanese foods, including ramen, gyoza, and okonomiyaki for sale, along with booths featuring Japanese companies, cultural displays, and merchandise. The cultural workshop booth introduced various aspects of Japanese culture, while the Sustainable booth highlighted eco-friendly initiatives by the festival and participating Japanese companies. Both drew great interest from attendees.
This year’s Japan Festival provided a valuable opportunity to bring together a diverse range of communities. Cultural exchange with the Greek community and a Bon Odori dance performed throughout the venue to a piece composed for Japanese Americans contributed to a shared sense of unity and celebration.
At the opening ceremony on Boston Common, Mr. Nobuhiro Mitsuoka, President of the festival, declared the opening, followed by Consul General Takahashi's opening speech. In his remarks, Mr. Takahashi, noting the long history between Japan and Massachusetts and the establishment of "Japan Day" by the Massachusetts State Legislature, expressed his hope that the Boston Japan Festival will continue to be a meaningful and symbolic annual tradition not only for the Japanese community but also for the people of Boston, Massachusetts, New England, and the world. He then invited the audience to enjoy and experience traditional Japanese culture, pop culture, sustainability initiatives, and Japanese cuisine to their hearts' content.
Following the reading of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's proclamation designating April 26, 2025 as “Boston Japan Festival Day,” a video message from Governor Maura Healey was shown. In the video, Governor Healey stated that the Japan Festival embodies the relationship between Massachusetts and Japan, which is growing in the areas of science and technology, business, academia, and culture. She expressed her hope to further forge this relationship.
Other participants in the opening ceremony included State Representatives Erika Uyterhoeven and John Moran; State Representative Sangiolo’s aide Dennis Chang; Executive Director Monique Tu Nguyen of the City of Boston Office of Immigration Advancement; and James Colimon, Deputy Director of Global Affairs & Protocol for the City of Boston.
The Boston Japan Festival is organized and operated by an executive committee composed primarily of volunteers from the local Japanese community. Despite the rainy weather, the festival drew a large number of attendees. On the main stages on Boston Common and in Downtown Crossing, various genres of music and dance were performed, along with a cosplay fashion show. Meanwhile, nearby booths offered an array of Japanese foods, including ramen, gyoza, and okonomiyaki for sale, along with booths featuring Japanese companies, cultural displays, and merchandise. The cultural workshop booth introduced various aspects of Japanese culture, while the Sustainable booth highlighted eco-friendly initiatives by the festival and participating Japanese companies. Both drew great interest from attendees.
This year’s Japan Festival provided a valuable opportunity to bring together a diverse range of communities. Cultural exchange with the Greek community and a Bon Odori dance performed throughout the venue to a piece composed for Japanese Americans contributed to a shared sense of unity and celebration.
