Japan Parade, an event to promote Japanese culture, was held in New York City on May 11.

Held for the third time, the event included a parade and street fair, and included around 100 organizations taking part in the festivities.

The event introduced anime and other Japanese pop culture, along with more traditional festival dances, and even included people dressed in a variety of fashions from Japan.

Participant: I love the fashion; I love the food and how it’s maintained its ancient culture mixed with modern culture as well.

There were also some special guests in this year’s parade.

Sueoka Hiroo, NNN New York Bureau Chief: The sound of the Yamaguchi Gion Festival is echoing down the street here next to Central Park. It's the float from Yamaguchi City.

On the float was the mayor of Yamaguchi, Ito Kazuki.

Yamaguchi City was selected by the New York Times as one of the 52 Places to Go in 2024, which has renewed the local appeal of the area.

Yamaguchi City Booth Staff: Here’s a Yamaguchi Gion Hachimaki (headband)!

Hachimaki, which are traditional Japanese headbands, were very popular at the Yamaguchi booth.

There were long lines for the booths at the street fair, which included Japanese traditional culture and food.

Participant: I’ve known…I’ve heard about Yamaguchi City before. I haven’t visited specifically, but I’ll always keep in mind to visit. Definitely Excited.