St. Patrick's Day Parade Tokyo 2025

A green wave engulfs Omotesando Hills once a year during Tokyo's St. Patrick's Day parade. This is the second part of a celebratory weekend, with the "I Love Ireland" festival held at Yoyogi Park the day before.

The St. Paddy's Day parade is the biggest Irish event in Japan and was started in 1992. Usually held over a weekend during mid-March, the festival sees people turn up in droves to soak in the atmosphere.

This is one of the best times to photograph an event in Japan as the roads are closed for the parade, so it's all right to stand by the side to get the best shots. The participants are usually more than willing to be candid in front of your camera, which is a big plus for event photography.

The parade will start on one side of the road before making a U-turn to the other side, providing you ample opportunities to get the perfect photo.

After the event is over, head down to the nearest bar for a drink to wind down the day. Don't forget to wear green to share the spirit of St. Patrick's Day!

Event reports